November 25, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Saskatchewan Party government to lay out priorities in Speech from the Throne

The King’s representative in Saskatchewan will deliver the Speech from the Throne at 2:00 pm today at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty will read the speech to the Legislative Assembly, outlining the government’s priorities during this session.

Saskatchewan Party leader Premier Scott Moe made multiple promises during the election campaign and it is expected that they will be prioritized in the speech. Affordability promises that include multiple new tax credits and a reduction in income taxes, investments in policing and community safety, and healthcare promises that expand women’s health care, and diabetes coverage, and cover some of the costs associated with IVF.

We will also be watching for what is in the Throne Speech to address those who did not vote for the party and help the party make inroads back in communities where they lost support like Regina and Saskatoon.

The new Government House Leader, Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, told CBC the government is ready to get to work. "We want to get right to business. There are a lot of important pieces of legislation that we're going to introduce to focus on the campaign commitments that we made with regard to the affordability of health care, education and community safety. We're anxious to start going to work for the people of Saskatchewan."

The first order of business at the legislature today will be the election of a new Speaker. If the government benches want one of their members in the role they may look to Todd Goudy, Blaine McLeod, or Doug Steele who are the only elected government members with legislative experience who are not in cabinet. The election is conducted in secret ballot, so there is a chance that a different member, or even an opposition member could be elected to the role.

The Throne Speech will be delivered at 2:00 pm and you will be able to watch the speech online.

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NDP says pausing the gas tax is a top priority for this sitting

When MLAs return to the legislature today, the NDP have a plan to attempt to implement one of their election promises.

The NDP will put forward an emergency motion to pause the provincial gas tax, which amounts to $0.15 per litre on gasoline and diesel fuel.

NDP leader Carla Beck hopes for bipartisan support to provide relief for Saskatchewan families. Beck said, “Cutting the fuel tax is an action that this assembly can take on Tuesday to lower the cost of groceries and give families relief.”

Beck says the newly minted Sask. NDP caucus, whose members were sworn in on Thursday afternoon, is coming to the legislature with a long list of plans and proposals to “help Saskatchewan families save hundreds of dollars” over the next few months. “We’ve got to lower costs for people and we’ve got to lower them now,” said Beck. “Families can’t wait until tax season next year. People voted for action and we aren’t going to waste a second.”

Twenty-seven New Democratic MLAs were sworn in last week. The Saskatchewan Party swore in thirty-four. Following the election of a Speaker, votes with full attendance will be a slim 6-seat majority for the Saskatchewan Party, 33-27.

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House of Commons remains in gridlock, US officials implore more defence spending

The House of Commons is still at a standstill as Conservative MPs fillibuster to get documents related to federal green energy contracts and the Liberals are now under fire from our closest ally, the United States.

US House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner implored Canada to increase defence spending. Turner told CTV News that ‘it’s not a policy debate, its a commitment,’ and that Canada is already ‘past due’ saying, "I think even if you look at other metrics, the Canadian military needs desperate investment right now. It's military equipment, it's personnel, it's training."

Republican Senator Jim Risch said, "We need to all do that," when asked if Canada needs to reach the 2% of GDP target for defence spending. "And that includes Canada, who's a good friend and a good ally. But we all need to pull the wagon together." The 2% of GDP target for defence spending is important because US President-elect Donald Trump said the United States would only protect NATO members who reach the target, and impose tariffs on those who do not. Risch told the CBC that he thinks Canada may be exempt through the UMSCA agreement.

Canadian Minister of Defence Bill Blair told NATO counterparts that Canada has a plan to reach the 2% target by 2032. In response, Senator Risch said, “I do not speak for the president-elect of the United States. If he were in this room, you would get a very large guffaw from him on talking about 2032. It’s gotta be better than that.”

In the House of Commons, Speaker Greg Fergus told MPs that they have until December 10th to pass supplementary estimates, which are money bills that fund the operations of the government. The Liberals tabled the supplementary estimates on Monday. They include $21.6 billion in spending that needs Parliament's approval. That includes funds for Indigenous health and education services, defence, veteran support, the new national dental program and refugee health care services.

Treasury Board President Anita Anand said Tuesday if the estimates don't pass before the House rises for its six-week winter break, some government departments might be headed for a cash shortfall. Anand said, "We are OK for the next three to four weeks, but we need to make sure that money flows to those smaller departments and then ultimately the larger departments, which also fuel so much of the government's and the country's business.”

Tensions have been rising in the house over the past number of weeks with the Speaker ejected three members from proceedings. The House will need to find a way to pass legislation and operate as the Trump administration will take office in the United States on January 20th. We are likely to have a federal election before this time next year.

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