December 5, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Government to target ‘nuisance properties’ in new legislation

The Saskatchewan Party government has introduced its third piece of legislation this sitting as the governing party looks to turn its campaign promises into law during this shortened session.

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced legislative amendments to The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act to address challenges posed by abandoned properties that create a ‘public nuisance.’

Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Minister of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety Tim McLeod said, “We know from talking to police and community leaders the negative impact nuisance properties can have on otherwise flourishing neighbourhoods. Allowing SCAN officers to actively respond to nuisance or dilapidated properties, rather than waiting for a complaint to be submitted, will address immediate safety concerns and enable SCAN to assist municipalities in creating safe, thriving communities across Saskatchewan.”

The amendments would allow SCAN officers the legal authority to identify and target nuisance properties in communities, while still following their current mandate of responding to public complaints about buildings involved in illegal activities.

Under the new amendments, SCAN will be able to:

• Submit court applications for rehabilitation or forfeiture orders to address nuisance properties.

• Address graffiti and trafficking of stolen property through the community safety order process.

The Minister promoted the legislation on the Premeir’s social media pages.

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Learn more about the great work the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and its members are doing at saskheavy.ca.

Provincial government passes legislation to remove the carbon tax from home heating

The Saskatchewan government has introduced its second bill of the session this week, one that would continue to keep the federal carbon tax off home heating in the province.

Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Jeremy Harrison introduced The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act, 2024, fulfilling the government's commitment in the recent provincial election to extend the carbon tax exemption on home heating. The government says keeping the federal carbon tax off SaskEnergy bills will save families $480 in 2025.

Harrison said, "Our government is protecting Saskatchewan families' ability to affordably heat their homes this winter and ensuring fairness for those families who were left out in the cold by the Prime Minister's decision to exempt the carbon tax from home heating oil. Our government will keep fighting until the carbon tax is removed everywhere, on everything, for everyone."

The government passed the same legislation last year however it included a sunset clause in December of this year. This legislation repeals that clause and ensures that the Government of Saskatchewan remains the sole registered natural gas distributor throughout 2025 and beyond.

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Troy Davies named new CEO of Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation

The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation will have a new chief executive officer, with the board announcing Saskatoon city councillor Troy Davies will hold the position effective January 2, 2025.

Troy Davies was recently re-elected to serve as the Saskatoon city councillor for Ward 4. Davies has worked with Medavie Health Services West since 1995, starting as a paramedic; he currently works as its director of public affairs. He is also the Founder and Board Chair of Synergy 8 Community Builders which in 15 years through fundraising and partnering in the community they have brought numerous initiatives to a successful conclusion including the purchase of the Saskatoon Tribal Council Health Bus, a pediatric ultrasound, two pediatric ambulances and another Mobile Health Bus.

Davies said, “Working as a paramedic on the street for years that I was on the street prior to take on the Media role. You know I’ve been on the side of flying kids to Edmonton because we didn’t have the hospital here at that time back in the early 2000’s and taking sick kids out of the province. To see where we’ve come now having these procedures and these doctors and this hospital in our province to not have to transport those kids outside of the province. And secondly having those pediatrics available to us, here, in our province is huge for me. And that’s my passion and that’s why I’ve chosen to make a move late in life.”

Founding CEO Brynn Boback-Lane announced her retirement last spring. The foundation’s Board Chair said, “I would also like to extend our deep gratitude to Brynn Boback-Lane for her almost 26 years of transformational vision and dedication to building Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, raising approximately $240 million and guiding the Foundation through its first five operational years as Saskatchewan’s only dedicated maternal and children’s hospital.”

The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is a provincial charity based in Saskatoon that supports pediatric and maternal health services in the areas of patient care services, research and equipment enhancements. The Foundation is a proud provincial partner with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority in helping build and provide the enhancements for the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, which began construction in September 2014 and opened doors in September 2019.

It’s not been said whether Davies will resign his city council seat, but it could be expected given the demands of his new CEO role.

More news and info

• Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing' (CTV News)

• Tapped by Trudeau to Steer Foreign Affairs, She’s Now His Possible Successor (New York Times)

• Mayor Cynthia Block breaks down Saskatoon’s budget with Evan Bray (CKOM News)

• Sask. NDP calls for approach to fight tariffs (CTV Regina)