MLA Report

 02 SEPTEMBER 2010

THE BUDGET/SURGICAL WAIT TIMES/POTASH

This year’s provincial budget remains on track, despite unprecedented severe weather that affected Maple Creek, Burstall and other areas in the province early in the summer. According to the recently released First Quarter Financial Report, compensation for wide-spread flood damage increased this year’s expenses by at least $161.7 million. The good news is that these unexpected costs will be offset by increased revenue of $195 million, mainly due to higher-than-budgeted Crown land sales as the result of increased interest in Saskatchewan's oil industry. We’ve seen the effect of that interest very dramatically in our own constituency. The bottom line is that our government’s 2010-11 budget remains on track despite of some of the worst summer weather our province has ever seen.

Another positive announcement this week revealed that as part of our government’s commitment to reduce surgical wait times, people from across the province will now be able to have certain surgeries performed at a private surgical centre in Regina. The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has started booking patients for dental surgery and knee arthroscopy procedures at Omni Surgery Centre. These procedures will be publicly provided and publicly funded, so patients will not be required to pay for services and no one will be allowed to jump the queue. This will also free operating room time in our hospitals for more complex day and in-patient surgeries.

Potash revenues help fund important services like healthcare and education. It’s a resource that belongs to the people of Saskatchewan. With the recent takeover bid for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan making national and international headlines, our government wants to assure you we are committed to ensuring our resource will continue to provide predictable and secure revenues to our province, over the long haul.

Today, Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd announced that The Conference Board of Canada will conduct an independent analysis of the proposed takeover. The Conference Board, widely regarded as Canada's foremost independent, not-for-profit applied research organization, will provide a report identifying the risks and opportunities this development presents. The report, to be completed and made public by September 30, 2010, will include an assessment of what governments can do to lower risk and increase opportunities. It will be used as the basis for Saskatchewan's submissions to Industry Canada, the agency responsible for analyzing transactions under the Investment Canada Act.

Minister Boyd said, “It is our job as government to protect the best interests of Saskatchewan people and to be sure the province and Saskatchewan residents receive the maximum benefit from this valuable resource." We are committed to guaranteeing the maximum in employment benefits to Saskatchewan families, while balancing that need with the need to build on our efforts to make Saskatchewan attractive to investors.

 If you have a question about this report, or any other matter, just Contact Wayne.

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