Provincial Point of View
October 15, 2015
I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent you in the Legislature
SASKATCHEWAN LEGISLATURE RECONVENES
The fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly began this week, October 13. As the Saskatchewan Legislature reconvenes, our government’s focus is keeping Saskatchewan strong.
As part of the 25 day sitting, MLAs will debate new legislation introduced by the government. One example is a bill to reduce wait times by allowing private MRIs in Saskatchewan.
During this session, our government will also outline its future plans for farmland ownership rules in the province, based on the results of public consultations held in recent months.
Saskatchewan welcomes the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal. Our government strongly supports Canada’s participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), one of the most ambitious free trade agreements in history. The Trans-Pacific Partnership includes 12 countries and over 800 million people, it removes tariffs and other trade barriers with our most important trading partners, and opens up potential new markets for exporters.
Saskatchewan exported more than $25 billion in goods (71 per cent of our international exports) to TPP countries in 2014. The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement increases access to those markets and keeps our exporters on a level playing field with their competitors. The TPP has been endorsed by numerous exporters including virtually every agricultural organization that represents Saskatchewan producers.
International trade has always been vital to our province’s economy and I know our agricultural producers are looking forward to having an even stronger presence in pacific markets. The TPP will encourage major growth and investment in our value-added agriculture sector through better access to these markets for our processed products, such as canola oil and meal, malt barley, beef and pork.
