Regina Qu’Appelle Valley , MLA

Phone: (306) 545-6333 • Fax: (306) 545-6112 Email: laurarossmla@.net

Winter 2013

Premier Brad Wall and Mrs. Tami Wall in the Grey Cup Parade. I would like to congratulate the Roughriders on winning the 101st Grey Cup, well done!

The fall session of your is now underway. places, businesses and people I visited this summer throughout You government continues to take action to move our province our constituency of Regina Qu’Appelle Valley. forward. Our province’s economy continues to improve, while we here in Saskatchewan enjoy the lowest unemployment rate in the I welcome you to contact me anytime. As always, I look forward to country. Our population recently hit a milestone of 1.1 million hearing your thoughts! people, and surgery wait times continue to drop. Our province’s agriculture producers had a safe and successful harvest. These are the benefits of a growing, optimistic province.

Inside this newsletter you will find information about this session’s Throne Speech. As well, I’d like to share with you some Coffee Connection 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Drop by and say hello Wednesday, December 18th, 2013 you will meet some very interesting 4519 Rochdale Blvd. people from your community. In Our Hilary Farr guest Community speaker at SOFIA House Gala To celebrate a quarter-century of the shelter supporting families that are rebuilding a home of their own, I was delighted to attend a gala fundraiser that was held October 25 at the Conexus Arts Centre for SOPHIA House. Internationally renowned designer Hilary Farr, of W Network’s hit design show Love It or List It, was on hand to provide home design insights and answer home design questions.

For 25 years, SOFIA House has been providing second-stage housing, counselling, education and facilitation services for women and children victims of domestic violence and abuse. On Sunday, September 29th, these RCMP Officers participated in the 10th Annual Saskatchewan Police and Peace Officers Memorial Parade that followed a route from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to the Saskatchewan Legislature.

I had a wonderful time at the Women’s Coffee Connection at Westhill Park Baptist Church in September where I was invited to speak on my service in politics and the community.

I was honoured to attend the 25th Anniversary of Merit Contractors, On November 21st I was excited to join Minister Draude at the grand opening ceremony which was held right in the constituency of Regina Qu’Appelle Valley. for a new group home for people with intellectual disabilities that is located right in the Congratulations on 25 years strong. constituency of Regina Qu’Appelle Valley. MORE PEOPLE, MORE JOBS, MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF GROWTH

This legislative session’s Throne Speech highlights a number of new initiatives and renewed commitments to address added pressures in areas such as health care, education, highways and housing. Initiatives include:

Growth • Our government is working hard to meet the challenges of growth and ensure all Saskatchewan people share in the benefits of a growing economy. • We are mindful the growth we seek is not an end in itself, but a means to build a better province for all Saskatchewan people. I was excited to host a Dove Self-Esteem workshop in partnership with Minister Tell for our constituents, over 200 women and girls attended this workshop. Seniors • A new program to enable some seniors with complex issues to receive house calls from physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care providers; and • Amendments to the Personal Care Homes Act to allow for the public disclosure of inspections reports.

Education • A new Students First approach in education that will include wide-ranging consolations with students, teachers, parents and administrators; • New anti-bullying measures; • Nine new joint-use schools to be built using an innovative P3 Bundling approach; and • Improvement to internet access and speed in all Minister McMorris and I at the opening of the new overpass at Highway 1 and schools through SaskTel’s CommunityNet program. the West Regina Bypass that opened to traffic on October 1st. Work began on the $43 million overpass in 2011. The total investment in this phase of the West Regina Bypass including the overpass is $113 million and includes a $27 million Post-Secondary Education contribution from the federal government. • 1,000 new training seats, including 300 new apprenticeship seats and 700 new Adult Basic Education seats; and • A new Saskatchewan International Future Scholarship for up to 20 students annually.

Highways • Further highway twinning in high traffic areas, including Highway 6 and 39 from Regina to Estevan; and • New measure to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities, with a particular focus on tougher penalties for drinking and diving.

I was pleased to attend a sod-turning event for a new 48 unit rental housing project that is being built in the constituency of Regina Qu’Appelle Valley at 1251 McEachern Drive. Our government is committed, in our Plan for Growth, to address the need for new housing options. I am pleased to report that our government, was able to help by investing 9.9 million dollars in this project. My visit to the World War II landing sites in Normandy, France was very emotional as well as informative on the contribution and sacrifice that Canadian - more importantly Saskatchewan - people made to ensure we have democratic freedom.

The Juno Beach centre in Normandy, France stands as a permanent memorial for all Canadians who served out nation during the Second World War. It also serves as an educational centre telling Canada’s story from 1939 to 1945.

The Juno Beach Centre is the only Canadian museum in Normandy France.

The town of Dieppe, France where the Dieppe Raid took place on August 19, 1942. Of the 4963 Canadian soldiers who participated in the Raid, 1946 were captured and became prisoners of war. William Samuel Ross(my father- in- law) was one of the young Saskatchewan soldiers captured during the Raid. The Artificial Harbor of Arromanches, France. The landing site of D-Day June 6th, 1944. The articiacal harbor is still in place today.

I’d like to hear from you! • Share your ideas and concerns • Request special Anniversary and birthday greetings from the Premier or the Queen • Tour your Saskatchewan legislature with your organization

Mailing address: Phone: (306) 545-6333 Laura Ross, MLA Fax: (306) 545-6112 Regina Qu’Appelle Valley constituency Office [email protected] 4519 Rochdale Blvd. Regina, SK S4X 4R3 Laura is on Facebook and Twitter