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REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE
Every November Canadians have the opportunity to remember all those who have served our nation and reflect upon the sacrifices they have made. As we observed Remembrance Day on November 11, we remembered and honour the sacrifices made by those who have served, and continue to serve, our country to defend our freedom.
Earlier this month, our government passed Bill 139, The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observance Act to ensure employees have the right to wear a poppy in the workplace. Protecting this right is a way to honour sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
Saskatchewan continues to receive good news on its strong and growing labour force. From October 2022 to October 2023, 19,300 jobs were added in the province. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4 per cent as of October 2023, the lowest among the provinces, and well below the national average of 5.7 per cent.
We also saw all-time highs for overall employment at 605,300 and female employment at 280,900. A growing labour force allows our province’s economy to continue to grow, creating more opportunities and a better quality of life for everyone.
Our province’s strong and growing economy allows our government to continue to invest in programs and services for Saskatchewan people. Our government is launching the new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive program to make life more affordable for working families with low incomes.
The new program will provide a financial benefit, supplementary health benefits, connections to employment, and housing supports. By helping parents to enter and stay in the workforce, this program will have lasting, positive impacts on the quality of life of Saskatchewan families.
We continue to invest in Saskatchewan’s health care system to ensure everyone can get the care they need, when and where they need it. Work continues under the Health Human Resources Action Plan, our government’s four-point plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care workers, and we are seeing strong progress across several areas.
Forty-three Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) from the Philippines have now arrived in Saskatchewan and are completing on-site clinical training. Upon completion of this training, they will be eligible for licensure and ready to begin work in our health care system before the end of December.
The 58 paramedic training bursaries announced in July were all awarded to support paramedic training for EMS providers. Due to the high rate of application uptake, our government has invested another $290,000 to expand the program and award another 35 bursaries.
Our government also continues to invest in the protection of persons and property. The province’s new Warrant Intelligence Team officially began operations on November 1, 2023. This team will work to suspend government benefits to prolific violent offenders with outstanding warrants and share information to aid police in their apprehension.
We recently introduced important legislation to lay the foundation for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, an independent, made-in-Saskatchewan police service. The Marshals will provide an additional law enforcement presence across Saskatchewan and support the RCMP, municipal and First Nations police when needed. Their duties will include responding to areas with high crime rates, combating gangs and illegal weapons, apprehending prolific offenders and individuals with outstanding arrest warrants, and investigating farming-related offenses like cattle theft and trespassing.
To protect landowners, our government has passed expanded legislation to ensure landowners who are owed compensation by companies drilling for oil or gas on their property can collect what they are owed. Amendments will give the Ministry of Energy and Resources and the Surface Rights Board of Arbitration more powers to protect landowners. These changes will enable the board and the ministry to enforce delinquent surface rights payments from oil and gas licensees and ensure landowners are properly compensated for property damage.
As we continue to move through the fall session of the Legislature, I look forward to hearing from you. These conversations with constituents help me represent your best interests in the Legislature. You can reach my constituency office at ken.cheveldayoff.mla@sasktel.net or call 306.651.7100.
2,349 NEW REGULATED CHILD CARE SPACES OPENING IN SASKATCHEWAN
We're improving Saskatchewan families access to child care by adding 2,349 new child care spaces for regulated child care centres in 41 communities.
i was pleased to be in attendance as Minister Jeremy Cockrill joined Glen McCallum from Métis Nation-Saskatchewan in Saskatoon for the announcement. Métis Nation—Saskatchewan will be receiving 90 spaces at each of their Saskatoon and Regina locations.
This investment will continue to allow Saskatchewan families greater access to affordable, high-quality early learning and child care opportunities.
Read the entire news release: 2,349 New Regulated Child Care Spaces Opening In Saskatchewan | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
WONDERFUL DIWALI CELEBRATIONS HELD ACROSS OUR PROVINCE
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to attend and extend my warmest wishes to those attending the Diwali celebrations in Saskatoon and Warman.
Diwali 2023, the festival of lights, was celebrated on November 12th. Hindus across the country celebrate this festival with joy and enthusiasm. It holds great significance as it symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH - SASKALERT TESTING
On Wednesday, November 15 at 1:55pm, there will be a testing of the SaskAlert system on radio, television and mobile devices across Saskatchewan.
Regular testing is important to ensure that the system is prepared to deliver urgent warnings in the event of potentially life-threatening situations. Learn more at saskalert.ca.
