Legislative Report

(26 May 2010)

Saskatchewan families are benefitting from our government’s emphasis on ‘patient first’ delivery of health care.   Under the umbrella of the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative, wait times for surgeries have been reduced significantly in the last two years.   The number of people waiting more than18-months for a procedure is down 39 per cent; the number of people waiting for more than 12-months is down 22 per cent.  Our government remains committed to further reducing surgical wait times.  During the spring session of the Legislature, we announced a plan to shorten wait times, within four years, to a maximum of three months.  The health of Saskatchewan families is a priority, and we will continue to take action that reflects that.

Introducing the New West to the New China is already producing results.    On their first international trade mission to Asia, Premier’s Brad Wall, Gordon Campbell and Ed Stelmach not only opened an office in Shanghai promoting western Canada, they also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the world’s 5th largest petroleum company.   Talks between the Government of Saskatchewan and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CPNC), ) led to the signing of an unexpected MOU which will explore opportunities for Chinese investment in our oil, natural gas and clean energy technology sectors.

Governments shouldn’t choose unions – workers should choose the unions they want to represent them.   That philosophy is reflected in the passage of Bill 80, an Act to Amend the Construction Industry Labour Relations Act, 1992.  The newly-amended legislation eliminates the government-mandated monopoly that forced unionized construction workers to belong to a government-designated union.  It also gives employers the right to choose which employer organization they will belong to.  The passage of Bill 80 enables more investors, companies and unions to operate in the construction industry, ensuring it remains strongly positioned for future growth.