HANSARD) Published Under the Authority of the Honourable P
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THIRD SESSION - TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan ____________ DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS ____________ (HANSARD) Published under the authority of The Honourable P. Myron Kowalsky Speaker N.S. VOL. XLVIV NO. 1A THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006, 2 p.m. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN Speaker — Hon. P. Myron Kowalsky Premier — Hon. Lorne Calvert Leader of the Opposition — Brad Wall Name of Member Political Affiliation Constituency Addley, Hon. Graham NDP Saskatoon Sutherland Allchurch, Denis SP Rosthern-Shellbrook Atkinson, Hon. Pat NDP Saskatoon Nutana Beatty, Hon. Joan NDP Cumberland Belanger, Hon. Buckley NDP Athabasca Bjornerud, Bob SP Melville-Saltcoats Borgerson, Lon NDP Saskatchewan Rivers Brkich, Greg SP Arm River-Watrous Calvert, Hon. Lorne NDP Saskatoon Riversdale Cheveldayoff, Ken SP Saskatoon Silver Springs Chisholm, Michael SP Cut Knife-Turtleford Cline, Hon. Eric NDP Saskatoon Massey Place Crofford, Joanne NDP Regina Rosemont D’Autremont, Dan SP Cannington Dearborn, Jason SP Kindersley Draude, June SP Kelvington-Wadena Duncan, Dustin SP Weyburn-Big Muddy Eagles, Doreen SP Estevan Elhard, Wayne SP Cypress Hills Forbes, Hon. David NDP Saskatoon Centre Gantefoer, Rod SP Melfort Hagel, Hon. Glenn NDP Moose Jaw North Hamilton, Doreen NDP Regina Wascana Plains Harpauer, Donna SP Humboldt Harper, Ron NDP Regina Northeast Hart, Glen SP Last Mountain-Touchwood Hermanson, Elwin SP Rosetown-Elrose Higgins, Hon. Deb NDP Moose Jaw Wakamow Huyghebaert, Yogi SP Wood River Iwanchuk, Andy NDP Saskatoon Fairview Junor, Judy NDP Saskatoon Eastview Kerpan, Allan SP Carrot River Valley Kirsch, Delbert SP Batoche Kowalsky, Hon. P. Myron NDP Prince Albert Carlton Krawetz, Ken SP Canora-Pelly Lautermilch, Hon. Eldon NDP Prince Albert Northcote McCall, Hon. Warren NDP Regina Elphinstone-Centre McMorris, Don SP Indian Head-Milestone Merriman, Ted SP Saskatoon Northwest Morgan, Don SP Saskatoon Southeast Morin, Sandra NDP Regina Walsh Acres Nilson, Hon. John NDP Regina Lakeview Prebble, Peter NDP Saskatoon Greystone Quennell, Hon. Frank NDP Saskatoon Meewasin Serby, Hon. Clay NDP Yorkton Sonntag, Hon. Maynard NDP Meadow Lake Stewart, Lyle SP Thunder Creek Taylor, Hon. Len NDP The Battlefords Thomson, Hon. Andrew NDP Regina South Toth, Don SP Moosomin Trew, Kim NDP Regina Coronation Park Van Mulligen, Hon. Harry NDP Regina Douglas Park Wakefield, Milton SP Lloydminster Wall, Brad SP Swift Current Wartman, Hon. Mark NDP Regina Qu’Appelle Valley Weekes, Randy SP Biggar Yates, Kevin NDP Regina Dewdney Vacant Martensville LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN 1 October 26, 2006 [The Assembly met at 14:00.] My government is committed to a plan that ensures Saskatchewan maintains its hard-earned designation as one of The Speaker: — Good afternoon, and welcome everyone to the only three “have” provinces in this nation, and we proudly opening ceremonies for the third session of the twenty-fifth reflect on this accomplishment as a “have” province with a legislature. heart. I wish to inform the Assembly that I have received a VISION FOR THE FUTURE communication from the Private Secretary to His Honour the Lieutenant Governor stating that His Honour will open the third A year ago, my government outlined a broad future vision for session of the twenty-fifth legislature at 2 p.m. today, the 26th Saskatchewan. That vision is to seek a province where no one is day of October, 2006. left behind on the path to opportunity, a province with an unbreakable social fabric, built on the foundation of diverse and Would you please remain standing for the arrival of Their growing communities, within a green and prosperous economy. Honours. In the year that has passed, much progress has been achieved [At 14:01 His Honour the Lieutenant Governor entered the toward this vision. Even more progress is planned. Chamber and took his seat upon the Throne. His Honour was then pleased to open the session with the following speech as Ours is a province that is down to earth, but where the sky is the tabled.] limit. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE FOCUS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD His Honour: — Pray be seated. The focus for my government in this Session is to make life better for today’s Saskatchewan families, and to build an even Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Honoured better future here for young people. Guests, People of Saskatchewan. Four cornerstones will set the foundation for my government’s Welcome all to the opening of the Third Session of the 25th agenda: Legislature. Tansi. • Make Saskatchewan the best place for young people to live, work, and build strong futures; We sit in the Chamber today for the first full legislative Session • Strengthen Saskatchewan’s leadership in improving public of the second 100 years of our Legislature. On the table in front health care while reducing wait times and improving of us lies a traditionally crafted runner and cushion for our access to services; Mace, a blending of First Nations and Parliamentary traditions • Advance Saskatchewan as a leader in environmental in the Assembly, just as First Nations and the people of other protection and the green economy; and cultures now live together in Saskatchewan as neighbours under • Ensure that today’s Saskatchewan families benefit from the Treaty relationship. our strong economy. We are many; we are one. A particular welcome is extended MAKE SASKATCHEWAN THE BEST PLACE FOR today to the families who have recently chosen to make their YOUNG PEOPLE TO LIVE, WORK AND BUILD homes in our province, to the youth who have graduated and are STRONG FUTURES building their futures here, and to the musicians and artists we will celebrate in the year ahead. Some of you have joined us There is no clearer calling than our collective responsibility to today. provide a legacy of opportunity for our children. My government’s first cornerstone is dedicated to that goal, making WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM Saskatchewan the best place for young people to live, work and build strong futures. As this Session opens, many will remember that fifteen years ago, Saskatchewan was on the brink of bankruptcy. The Encouragement and support to nurture a lifelong learner’s financial future of the next generation was at risk. Social success must begin early in life. These ingredients are some of infrastructure was in jeopardy. There was much hard work and the essential building blocks for the province’s social and sacrifice in the following decade to restore the province’s fiscal economic wellbeing. foundation. The results have been dramatic: thirteen consecutive balanced budgets, fourteen credit rating upgrades My government wants quality options for families with and the significant reduction of public debt. children, and the best in early learning and child care that can be provided. We want all children to be able to read the books Five years ago, our economy had reached a turning point. they carry home in their book bags from their school or local Today, thanks to the hard work of the Saskatchewan people, our library. economy is re-energized and there are now more jobs than ever Investments in Education before in our history. Our quality of life remains second to none, and we have a proud record of social progress. To make this happen, the province’s Literacy program will expand, and we will deliver Saskatchewan’s Early Learning and 2 Saskatchewan Hansard October 26, 2006 Child Care Program, despite the federal government’s My government will also reinvigorate our relationship with the withdrawal from its commitments. Fransaskois community, with particular emphasis on immigration and employment needs of Saskatchewan In the year ahead, investments in education will continue to francophones. focus on meeting the needs of families and ensuring their children grow into healthy and well-educated adults. Mon gouvernement dynamisera nos relations avec la communauté fransaskoise en adressant particulièrement les As one example, Saskatchewan will invest in its besoins des francophones de la Saskatchewan dans les secteurs groundbreaking KidsFirst initiative, which blends the efforts of de l’immigration et de l’emploi. health districts, school divisions, Aboriginal organizations and communities, and provides: In this 21st century, it is important that we continue to spread • home visiting programs; the word that Saskatchewan is a great place to live, work and • community supports; raise a family. • early development programs; • pre-natal care; and Saskatchewan is home to a diverse, robust and fundamentally • family supports. strong economy, and our doors are open, with opportunities for workers here at home and from abroad. Toward the same goal, building on our education renewal initiative, new School Community Councils will provide All these efforts are in support of my government’s focus in this parents and community members with opportunities to have Session to make life better for today’s families and to build an real input and make a difference in children's learning at their even better future here for our youth. local schools. STRENGTHEN SASKATCHEWAN’S LEADERSHIP IN Investments in Training PUBLIC HEALTH CARE WHILE REDUCING WAIT TIMES AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO SERVICES As young people grow and look to their future here, in whatever walk of life they choose, my government is committed to The second cornerstone of my government’s agenda is to work addressing the labour market’s changing needs and will: with health care providers to strengthen Saskatchewan’s • expand training opportunities to meet market demands; leadership in public health care, while reducing wait times and • unveil a new partnership between business, labour and our improving access to services. training institutions to provide counsel to government to meet Saskatchewan's evolving labour market needs; and Investments in health care will be the highest they have ever • strengthen and expand our regional training model to bring been. education closer to students and better link training to learners, job-seekers and employers.