Estevan MLA Lori Carr is praising the contents of the provincial Throne Speech, which was released Oct. 24 at the start of the fall sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislature.
It was the first throne speech for both Premier Scott Moe and Lieutenant Governor W. Thomas Malloy.
“While our economy and the province’s finances are showing signs of improvement, we are still facing challenges due to the threat of a damaging federal carbon tax, continued sanctions from the United States on our steel and uranium industries, and a deeply discounted price for our oil caused by a lack of pipelines,” Moe said.
“This Throne Speech outlines our commitment to stand up for Saskatchewan by growing our economy and continuing to deliver important programs and services for the people of the province.”
Carr echoed the premier’s stance on the carbon tax, saying it would be ineffective and cause harm to the Estevan area.
“It affects probably pretty much everybody within the constituency of Estevan directly,” said Carr.
She believes the fight against the carbon tax is the most important part of the throne speech.
The speech said the government would implement the Prairie Resilience Climate Change Strategy and introduce legislation to establish intensity-based performance standards for large emitters.
She also noted the Throne Speech also calls for the provincial government to deliver a balanced budget for 2019-20.
And while it’s a smaller item, Carr is also pleased the government will offer free hunting and fishing licenses to Canadian military veterans.
“It’s just a way of saying ‘Thank you’ for what you have done for us and what you have given us,” said Carr.
There isn’t anything specific to the Estevan constituency in the Throne Speech, other than a plan to improve cellular service to 50 communities, including Midale, Macoun and Torquay.
“All of the generalities that are within the Throne Speech will affect Estevan and the constituency one way or another,” said Carr.
Among the other highlights of the speech are: expand parental leave from 37 weeks to 63 weeks and add an additional week of maternity leave; introduce changes to improve commercial driver training; and introduce legislation on trespassing laws to better address the balance between members of the public and the rights of landowners.
“It’s something that farmers have raised as a concern, because with your yard in Estevan, I can’t just go in your backyard and hang out there,” said Carr.
She will be interested to see the consultations, and how the legislation looks upon completion.
