The Third Session of the Twenty-Ninth Legislature resumed Monday, March 6
REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE
Saskatchewan’s provincial motto is “from many peoples’ strength.” Our province’s strength comes from strong families, communities, businesses and industries. Our government is committed to investing in programs and services that support and build on this strength. Last fall’s Speech from the Throne provided the groundwork for several of these initiatives. Now, with our government back in Regina for the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly, we are ready to continue moving forward with investments that will continue to build upon our province’s strengths.
We are investing in regulated child care to strengthen families across the province. In a partnership with the federal government, our government announced this week that parent fees for regulated child care will be reduced to $10 per day starting April 1. Saskatchewan is one of the first provinces to achieve this milestone, three years ahead of schedule.
Investing in affordable, inclusive and high-quality childcare ensures Saskatchewan children get a strong start in life. In addition, improving child care strengthens families by giving parents the flexibility to build both a family and a career. This investment builds on the Growth Plan commitment to improvingchildcare and education to meet the needs of our growing province.
Our government is moving forward on the development of provincially regulated online learning programs. Course options are now available at the new Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation (Sask DLC) website. Over 180 courses will be offered for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students, including more than 120 high school courses. Sask DLC students will be able to access support virtually or at one of ten regional campuses across the province.
The Sask DLC program will strengthen Saskatchewan’s education system by allowing students greater flexibility and new learning opportunities. The development of the program further builds on the Growth Plan commitment to improve childcare and education.
We are also continuing to invest in connectivity for rural communities across Saskatchewan. SaskTel announced the sixth phase of its Rural Fibre Initiative, during which it will be adding infiNET service to 48 communities across the province. The Rural Fibre Initiative is a multi-phase program that will see SaskTel invest $200 million to bring infiNET services to residents and businesses in over 130 rural communities.
This investment is part of our Growth Plan commitment to expand SaskTel’s fibre optic network and have one million broadband access points by 2025. SaskTel’s infiNET services strengthen rural Saskatchewan’s families and businesses by helping them stay connected and access online resources.
Our government has invested in the Crop Insurance Program to help agricultural producers mitigate risk on their farms. Crop Insurance coverage will reach a record-high $446 per acre on average for 2023. Other highlights for this year’s program include new individual premiums, increased coverage for unseeded acres and increased AgriStability compensation. Crop Insurance helps strengthen our agriculture industry by supporting Saskatchewan producers. It also helps build on the Growth Plan commitment of building a sustainable and resilient agriculture industry.
By investing in programs and services that support the strength of families, communities, businesses and industries, our government is investing in a strong Saskatchewan. A strong Saskatchewan will have opportunities and prosperity, now and into the future. That’s growth that works for everyone.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET ADDRESS
Would you like to attend the presentation of the Budget Address March 22? I have a limited number of invitations to distribute, so please let me know if you are interested in attending.
The Honourable Donna Harpauer will be presenting the Budget Address at 1:30 pm March 22, 2022, in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly Chamber. You are asked to arrive no later than 1:00 pm.
Please RSVP to ken.cheveldayoff.mla@sasktel as soon as possible.
Invitations will be on a first-come, first-served basis. I will confirm your request by responding to your email.
SASKATCHEWAN TO ACHIEVE $10 A DAY CHILD CARE BY APRIL 2023
The Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada are pleased to announce that parent fees for regulated child care in the province will be reduced to $10 a day starting April 1, 2023.
Saskatchewan is one of the first Canadian provinces to achieve this milestone, which is three years ahead of schedule as outlined in the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to bring down child care fees to $10 day by 2025-26.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to investing in affordable, inclusive and high-quality child care that provides children with a positive start in life while also giving parents the flexibility and choice to build both a family and career," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said.
Parents whose children are under the age of six and attend regulated child care on a full-time basis can expect to pay $217.50 per month. The fee reductions will result in families saving an average of $395 to $573 per month for each child under six from the average comparable fees as of March 31, 2021.
Saskatchewan To Achieve $10 A Day Child Care By April 2023 | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE LYLE
Long-Time MLA Lyle Stewart Stepping Down for Health Reasons
Lumsden-Morse MLA Lyle Stewart today announced that he is resigning his seat due to health-related reasons.
“I have been living with prostate cancer for a number of years now, but unfortunately, my condition has worsened in recent weeks to the point that I can no longer do this job to the standard I expect of myself and that my constituents deserve,” Stewart said.
“It has been the honour of my life to represent the people of Lumsden-Morse and Thunder Creek as their MLA for the past 23 and a half years. It has also been an honour to work with the two best and most successful leaders in Canada - Premier Brad Wall and Premier Scott Moe.
“I believe that together with Premier Wall, Premier Moe and all of my caucus colleagues, we have made a change in Saskatchewan that is both positive and indelible.”
Premier Scott Moe said he will miss working with Stewart and thanked him for his service to his constituents, the government, and the province.
“Lyle was a great Ag minister, always standing up for Saskatchewan producers and initiating many of the great trade relationships we have today,” Moe said. “But first and foremost, he has been a dedicated and hard-working MLA, always looking out for the best interests of the people he serves.”
Stewart was first elected in 1999 and was re-elected in the five subsequent provincial elections. In 2004, he served briefly as Interim Leader of the Saskatchewan Party and Leader of the Opposition. In government, Stewart served as Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, Minister of Agriculture, Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary responsible for Provincial Autonomy.
His resignation is effective this Friday, March 10. A byelection will be held within six months of his resignation.
