Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Saskatchewan 17e 3e Discours du trône 25 janvier 1973 Stephen Worobetz Lieutenant Governor Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly: THE ECONOMY The economy of the province particularly in the agricultural sector, has continued its recovery during the past year. Higher prices for grain, coupled with stable livestock markets and strong demand dramatically improved the returns to farmers. This improvement is reflected in most other sectors of the economy. You will be asked to approve measures at this Session which will further improve the province's family farm economy and create new opportunities in our smaller cities and towns. THE FARM ECONOMY To open up more opportunities for more farmers to operate successful farming ventures, my Government will introduce an Agricultural Incentives Act. Through the use of low cost, supervised credit related to livestock and through a system of earned grants, this new program - to be called FarmStart - will make it possible for many young farmers to put together the necessary resources to become successful and independent. You will also be asked to approve measures to strengthen the Hog Marketing Commission and to expand livestock production. And to provide recourse for farmers who have complaints concerning the availability of machinery repair parts or warranty performance, you will be asked to approve amendments to The Agricultural Implements Act. The Government is also acting to provide funds for a co-operative alfalfa cubing plant to be operated by farmers in the south Saskatchewan River Irrigation Project. Legislation will be introduced to create a Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. This corporation will mobilize the funds and skills required to provide improved housing for low and middle-income families and to assist in developing more attractive neighbourhood facilities. Housing co-operatives will be encouraged. Directly and indirectly the new corporation is expected to provide some hundreds of new jobs. The corporation will also administer a new program to assist senior citizens to repair and improve their homes. INDUSTRY AND TOURISM To further promote economic development you will be asked to approve a considerably enlarged role for the Department of Industry and Commerce. These measures include: more intensive research into opportunities for development, the building of more active export trade relations, particularly in the Pacific area the provision of substantially more resources to improve and promote tourism, including a program of grants for provision of major tourist attractions expansion of the department's role in assisting small business enterprises. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT In addition to measures designed to improve the farm economy, increase the stock of housing and promote industry and tourism, my Government plans decisive steps in the field of resource development. After taking office, this Government carefully examined the prevailing forest practices and management in the province and found them unsatisfactory, both environmentally and economically. Steps have already been taken to require greater care in tree harvesting and reforestation. It is now our intention to see that the tree harvest contributes more to the province's economy. You will be asked to approve measures to ensure that each cubic foot of timber is so utilized that it yields the greatest number of jobs and the greatest return to the people of Saskatchewan Forest Products, a publicly owned corporation. My Government shares the growing concern of Canadians about the control and use of our energy resources - particularly petroleum and natural gas. You will be asked to approve legislation establishing a Crown corporation to participate in exploration for oil and gas. NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN Substantial funds will be provided to prospect for hard rock minerals in Northern Saskatchewan during the coming year. A major expansion in housing construction and in the provision of community sewer and water facilities in the North will be proposed. My Ministers are also actively negotiating with the Federal Government to conclude a joint, large-scale economic development program for Northern Saskatchewan. All of these programs will be of primary benefit to Saskatchewan people of Indian ancestry. TRANSPORTATION My Government is especially concerned with the high and increasing costs of transportation which have slowed the industrial development of Western Canada, and particularly Saskatchewan. We therefore welcome the forthcoming federal-provincial meeting which will consider freight rates and other transportation problems. It is the intention of this Government to urge wholesale revisions in national transportation policies which have for so long worked to the disadvantage of Saskatchewan people. To assure maximum participation of all our people in the formulation of the province's position on transport matters, my Government will invite all interested parties in the province to a Provincial Transportation Conference early in 1973. PROPERTY TAX RELIEF At this Session my Government will take substantial new strides in its pledge to further reduce the impact of property taxes for school purposes. You will be asked to approve increases in individual and corporation income taxes which were announced earlier. The increase in revenues from these taxes, which closely reflect ability to pay, will be used to increase grants to schools and to make substantial increases in Property Improvement Grant payments to homeowners, farmers and businessmen. HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES The cost of hearing aids has long been a heavy burden for those requiring them. Legislation dealing with this problem will be placed before you. In anticipation of a new program of dental care for children, you will be asked to approve an act concerning dental technologists. To improve preventative services to families in difficulty a new Family Services Act will be placed before you. Protection of children will be further enhanced through a new Children of Unmarried Parents Act. You will also be asked to approve funds for a new system of grants on behalf of residents of special care homes - grants which will pay that portion of costs attributable to nursing care. CONSUMER In the year ahead the new Department of Consumer Affairs will expand its services by opening an office in Saskatoon to receive and investigate complaints. A new Residential Tenancies Act will establish more equitable relationships between landlord and tenant. The conditions under which compensation may be awarded to those suffering loss as a result of criminal injury will be widened. ELECTIONS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS Pace-setting legislation controlling election expenses of candidates and political parties will be introduced at this Session. In addition, you will be asked to grant an extension of time for the reports of the Constituency Boundaries Commission established last year. You will be asked to consider major changes in community planning legislation and in The Municipal Elections Act. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Among amendments proposed to The Labour Standards Act are measures respecting maternity leave and stronger provisions guaranteeing equal pay for equal work. Superannuated employees of the Government of Saskatchewan and some of its agencies will be eligible for pension supplements under certain conditions, as will teachers. A revised and improved Municipal Employees' Superannuation Act will also be introduced. ENVIRONMENT Legislation will be placed before you to amend and strengthen The Litter Control Act. You will be asked to approve substantial funds to allow the Department of the Environment to co-ordinate environmental impact studies on possible recreation and hydro-electric development projects in Northern Saskatchewan. These studies will be completed and the public consulted before my Government makes any decision respecting construction of these projects. COMPUTER SERVICES You will be asked to authorize establishment of a Crown corporation with power to provide computer and data processing services to Government and Government-funded agencies. TRAFFIC SAFETY The Government is gravely concerned with the mounting toll of accidents on Saskatchewan's roads and highways. In addition to steps already taken by my Government, you will be asked to approve the establishment of a Special Committee of this Assembly to recommend further action to reduce accidents and improve highway safety. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES My Government is looking forward to considering the recommendations of the several Special Committees appointed at the preceding Session of the Legislative Assembly which have been holding hearings across the province during the intersessional period. Careful consideration will be given to their recommendations. R.C.M.P CENTENNIAL The year which has just begun will be a memorable one for the people of Saskatchewan. All of us look forward with keen anticipation to the visit to our province of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh during the first week of July. They will help us celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Royal Visit will be the culmination of a series of events which make 1973 a signal year for Saskatchewan. Not the least of these is the Silver Broom International Curling Championships which will be held in Regina in March. My Government will be honoured to welcome the many thousands of visitors who will wish to join us in these celebrations. I leave you now to the business of the Session with the full confidence that you will favourably discharge your duties and responsibilities. May Divine Providence continue to bless our Province and guide this Legislature in all its deliberations.