An ambitious Throne Speech promises the Saskatchewan Party Government will tackle issues on crime, economic growth, health care and truth and reconciliation.
The speech, read by Lieut.-Governor Russ Mirasty, says the government will work for “a Saskatchewan that is stronger, safer, healthier, more educated and more independent.”
Law enforcement legislation will create a province-wide Provincial Protective Services Unit with 325 officers from Conservation officers, Highway Patrol, Provincial Capital Commission, Safer Neighbourhoods and Communities and deputy sheriffs in one command.
Sixty new police positions and 11 civilian positions will be added to law enforcement in the new unit.
To combat the fentanyl drug crisis a Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team will target crimes of transporting drugs and human trafficking.
Four Crime Reduction Teams will be created in Moose Jaw, Meadow Lake, LaRonge and Lloydminster, bringing to nine the number of such teams. The teams will include 30 RCMP, six municipal police and two criminal analysts.
Eight officers will staff a new Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team to deal with dangerous criminals with multiple warrants outstanding.
An act will be introduced allowing seizure of criminal property to combat money laundering.
Enhanced training will be given Crown prosecutors with more use of private lawyers to prosecute.
Also under justice, amendments will allow quick action to enforce spousal and child support payments.
Legislation to prevent work place sexual harassment and revenge porn was promised.
On the economy, plans are to invest $30 billion on infrastructure by 2030, creating 100,000 new jobs.
New investment will be encouraged by expansion of the Saskatchewan Value-Added Agriculture Incentive, which is credited with attracting over $10 billion in agriculture processing and manufacturing investments.
A new Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation will make up to $75 million available to Indigenous communities and organizations for equity in resource development projects.
Health care commitments include a new CT scanner for Melfort, more cancer care funding, and eight projects to reduce emergency room wait times. They include two new Urgent Care Centres in Regina and Saskatoon.
Six hundred new long term care beds will be developed in Regina with plans for new or replacement beds in Prince Albert, Weyburn, Grenfell and LaRonge.
Another 16 new schools are planned.
Truth and Reconciliation work includes a $2 million grant to investigate undocumented deaths and burials on former residential school sites.
A memorial will be built on the legislature grounds and other First Nations will be offered a program to take over child welfare services.
The province will work with the Federation of Sovereign Indian Nations to develop an online gaming site.
Highway signs will show the boundaries between territory of numbered treaties with First Nations.
The speech promises to participate in any upcoming negotiations on changes to federal equalization payments as well as consider other measures making Saskatchewan more autonomous like provincial collection of income taxes and creation of a provincial police force.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
