The Saskatchewan Party officially kicked off the second term of its government with its speech from the throne Monday.
The speech, delivered by Lt.-Gov. Gordon Barnhart, officially kicks off the fall term of the legislature and starts work in earnest for the enlarged contingent of 49 Saskatchewan Party MLAs, including the Northwest area's three rookies: the Battlefords' Herb Cox, Larry Doke of Cut Knife-Turtleford and Scott Moe of Rosthern-Shellbrook.
The term also sees a new leader of the Opposition, as John Nilson takes over as acting leader for the New Democrats, leading a reduced contingent of nine NDP MLAs.
The new session is to last just a couple of weeks - enough time to pass the throne speech and introduce a number of items of legislation before they recess for the Christmas break. The legislature is expected to be back at work with a spring sitting.
The throne speech spelled out the plans and priorities of Premier Brad Wall's government during its second term in office. There was not much different in the throne speech from their election platform.
In the address to the legislature, the government pledged continued economic and population growth. Improvement to the availability and affordability of housing was pledged with the Saskatchewan Advantage Housing Plan, with the government stating it is "on track to meet our target of 4,600 new, entry level housing units to be created over five years."
As well, $2 million would be available for the development of approximately 70 to 100 secondary units under the Secondary Suite Program. The government also pledged to introduce the Saskatchewan First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit, with the new incentive providing a $10,000 non-refundable tax credit to all first-time homebuyers, creating savings of $1,100.
The government also outlined plans to extend notice periods for rent increases from one month to a year, applying to property owners who chose not to participate in the tenant assistance initiative established by the Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association.
Also included were plans to extend the Active Families Benefit to all children under 18, introducing a new Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship available to new high school graduates beginning in 2012 and introducing a new Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings to help parents save for their children's education.
As well, there was mention of increasing support for low-income seniors through the Seniors' Income Plan, introduction of a Seniors' Personal Care Home Benefit to assist low-income seniors with the cost of residing in a personal care home, the addition of 2,000 new childcare spaces, improved support for those with disabilities, increasing support for autism, reducing surgical wait times and improved access to health care services in rural communities and improved services for persons with diabetes.
There is also mention of hiring new police officers to closely monitor repeat offenders as well as pledges to improve provincial parks and introduce a new $2,500 Community Rinks Affordability Grant to help with costs of 750 municipally owned indoor ice surfaces around the province.
Outlined during the speech were the government's legislative priorities. That will include legislation to standardize the start of the school year so instruction begins after the Labour Day weekend.
They also plan to strengthen the enforcement of maintenance orders, increase penalties for those who fail to pay fines, strengthen the ability of corrections officers to crack down on drug and gang-related activity in correctional institutions, to more clearly define the powers of the Children's Advocate, introduce more degree granting legislation for their educational institutions, streamline the business registration process under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement and ensure any future provincial election campaigns do not overlap with a federal election campaign.
In his comments after listening to the address in the legislature, Battlefords MLA Herb Cox called it an "excellent throne speech."
"It outlines what our government basically has stood for (over) the last four years and the things we plan to do for the next period of time," said Cox, who adds the speech is "putting our vision into action."
Cox was particularly happy with the measures the government is taking on affordable housing, pointing to the proposed 4,600 new entry-level housing spaces.
He was also pleased with the education policies outlined in the speech.
"Clearly, it makes Saskatchewan the best place to teach your children," he said.
Cox notes the policies outlined in the throne speech are in line with what the Saskatchewan Party promised in the election campaign, and points to that as being a positive as well.
"This is a government that does what it says it is going to," said Cox.
