SASKATCHEWAN RAISES AWARENESS OF LIVING ORGAN DONATION DURING ORGAN AND TISSUE AWARENESS MONTH
Saskatchewan is joining Canadians in recognizing National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month (NOTDAM) in April with several activities as well as commemorating Green Shirt Day (GSD) on April 7 in honour of Logan Boulet, whose legacy inspired almost 150,000 people across Canada to register to become organ donors.
In addition to promotional and awareness campaigns, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed increased funding to support kidney health in Saskatchewan.
The 2024-25 budget includes an increase of over $2.5 million for kidney health and organ and tissue donation and transplant. This investment will support incremental positions within the St. Paul's Hospital and Cameco Community Renal Health Centre dialysis units, as well as the Regina and Saskatoon Organ Donation and Transplant Programs. In addition, support is being provided to implement a new electronic deceased donor management program for the provincial organ and tissue donation teams.
Heath Minister Everett Hindley and Members of the Legislative Assembly were pleased to tour the Kidney Health Unit and speak with organ and tissue donation and transplant as well as Kidney Health program surgeons and staff at St. Paul’s Hospital.
"We celebrate the life-saving work of our organ transplant and donation physicians and health care teams by participating in activities that build awareness around organ and tissue donation and transplant," Health Minister Everett Hindley said. "Registering your intent to be an organ and tissue donor or living donor is a generous decision. We encourage everyone over the age of 16 to talk to their loved ones about their intentions to become a donor and join our provincial registry."
Saskatchewan Raises Awareness of Living Organ Donation During Organ and Tissue Awareness Month | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
A strong economy means a bright future for our province and its people. The 2024-25 Provincial Budget makes record investments in classrooms, care and communities – which are only possible due to our strong and growing economy. That’s why our government is committed to making strategic investments that help our economy to continue to grow.
An essential part of growing our economy is expanding our markets and exports outside of Canada. This ultimately leads to more jobs at home and allows us to invest in classrooms, care and communities. That’s our reality as an export-based province.
With a budget of $40.6 million, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development is supporting Saskatchewan’s economy by growing our presence in international markets. Leading the way will be Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy, which will help grow and maintain private capital investment in the province.
Equally important will be Saskatchewan’s recently announced labour market strategy – Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: the Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy – which outlines how the province will ensure Saskatchewan people benefit from the jobs our economy is creating. The strategy also ensures that Saskatchewan employers have access to the workforce they need to succeed.
In February 2024, Statistics Canada announced that total capital investments in Saskatchewan increased by 25.9 per cent in 2023 to $17.1 billion – second among provinces in terms of percentage change. This is expected to increase by another 14.4 per cent in 2024 to $19.6 billion – again second among provinces in terms of growth.
As evidence of the growth of investments in Saskatchewan, private companies have committed to more than 60 large-scale investment projects across the province in recent years, totaling more than $39 million. These include projects in the agri-value, manufacturing and processing, mining, forestry and energy sectors.
Our government recognizes the contributions small businesses make to our economy. That’s why the budget maintains the small business tax rate of one per cent until June 30, 2025. It was scheduled to return to two per cent in July 2024, but the extension of the existing one per cent rate will allow owners to re-invest in their operations.
The amount of eligible business income on which the small business tax rate applies will remain at $600,000 – the highest threshold in Canada. Saskatchewan will also continue to have the second-lowest small business tax rate in Canada, making the provincial tax environment very competitive.
Saskatchewan’s strategic economic investments continue to pay off. Our exports to the world continue to grow, reaching $49.3 billion in 2023. Saskatchewan goods reached 163 countries, with 32 of those countries receiving over $100 million in provincial exports. Saskatchewan ranks first in Canada for per capita exports at $40,425, which is more than double the national average. The top exports were crude petroleum oil, potash, wheat, canola seeds and oil, lentils, uranium, dried peas and barley.
These trade numbers are a testament to the incredible work being done by our exporters, producers and industry leaders. The continuous work of Saskatchewan’s network of nine international trade offices to showcase our story abroad is clearly having an impact on international markets.
Here at home, housing starts increased 12.1 per cent from March 2023 to March 2024. Construction investment totaled $235 million in February 2024, up 96.2 per cent from January – the highest growth among the provinces. This is also up 22.6 per cent from February 2023.
Our consumer price index here in Saskatchewan increased only 1.5 per cent from March 2024 to March 2023 – the second lowest increase in Canada and well below the national average of 2.9 per cent. This is largely due to our government’s decision to remove the carbon tax from home heating, helping to keep life affordable for Saskatchewan people.
Our government remains committed to investing in Saskatchewan’s key industries, ensuring economic growth continues. As we continue this work, I look forward to hearing your feedback. You can contact my constituency office at ken.cheveldayoff.mla@sasktel.net or call 306.651.7100.
THREE NEW GROUP HOMES FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OPEN IN SASKATOON
Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky and representatives from Elmwood Residences Inc. celebrated the grand opening of three new group homes to provide care to 12 former residents of Kinsmen Manor who have transitioned into community-based living. The Ministry of Social Services is providing Elmwood Residences Inc. with approximately $1.78 million in annualized funding to operate these homes that are leased from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
The provincial government has announced that another two Elmwood group homes will be constructed in Saskatoon to accommodate the remaining eight residents of Kinsmen Manor. Today's announcement is part of the $7.6 million investment announced in the 2024-25 provincial budget to plan and construct 10 new group homes and one assessment and stabilization home to support adults with intellectual disabilities.
"Building strong, inclusive communities for people with disabilities remains a focus for our province," Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said. "Community partners are essential to building accessible and welcoming communities where people with disabilities can live as independently as possible. The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to work alongside Elmwood Residences to support person-centred community living."
Three New Group Homes for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Open in Saskatoon | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
