Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Saskatchewan 19e 2e Discours du trône 29 novembre 1979 Irwin McIntosh Lieutenant Governor Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: It is my privilege to welcome you to the Second Session of the Nineteenth Legislature of Saskatchewan. This Session will bring my Government into a new decade, a decade we anticipate with confidence and enthusiasm. The past decade was one of continual growth and prosperity for Saskatchewan. We are confident that the 1980s will see that growth sustained. CELEBRATE SASKATCHEWAN The year 1980 is our 75th anniversary as a Province. Two years ago my Government established the Saskatchewan Diamond Jubilee Corporation to make plans for celebrating the event. The Jubilee Corporation and the Celebrate Saskatchewan Committee of Citizens will assist local communities in initiating projects and will provide staff to co-ordinate activities. Celebrate Saskatchewan will have some formal activities, but its main emphasis will be on communities, where people of all walks of life will honour the past, celebrate the present and plan for the future. CANADA As we enter a new year and a new decade, we are conscious of the great challenges facing our nation. For Canada, the 1980s will be a decade of decision. Next spring the people of Quebec will vote on their government's referendum. Whatever the outcome, my Government will remain committed to a strong and united Canada. My Ministers have consistently stated that in a united Canada there is no place for sovereignty association. They have also maintained that the status quo must be changed in favour of a new Confederation bargain that will better meet the needs of all Canadians. We will continue to play an active and constructive part in the building of a renewed Confederation. Federal-provincial relations continue to be an increasingly important part of governmental activity in Canada. My Ministers have had a number of meetings with their counterparts in the new federal government to discuss economic development, agriculture, transportation, communications, oil pricing, and other matters. My Government looks forward to working with the new federal government, and will continue to promote Saskatchewan's interests, and the interests of Canada, in a constructive and vigorous manner. CANADIAN ECONOMY In the immediate future, the prospects for the Canadian economy are not encouraging. Although unemployment has moderated recently, improvement is likely to be temporary. Inflation still plagues Canadian families. The impact of soaring interest rates has been especially severe on farmers, small businesses and homeowners. SASKATCHEWAN ECONOMY In contrast to the national scene, Saskatchewan's economic prospects are bright. In 1979, grain crop yields fell some 25 per cent below the record levels of last year. But because of the good quality of the crop and strong world prices, farm cash receipts increased. Personal income in the province increased faster than in the nation as a whole. In addition, strong investment activity helped to keep Saskatchewan's unemployment rate among the lowest in Canada. The provincial economy is not immune to the effects of high prices and high interest rates. However, prices for farm products are expected to hold firm. The mining expansions now in progress will add to export earnings. Accordingly, while it will take some time for the effects to work through the economy, prospects for income growth in the early 1980s are promising. The provincial population is expected to grow as more workers and their families are attracted to the province. AGRICULTURE Saskatchewan has some of the world's most productive farmers. The inability of our transportation system to deliver, however, has forced the Canadian Wheat Board repeatedly to turn away international customers. My Government will introduce legislation to continue the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation which will purchase 1000 hopper cars, at a cost of $50 million, to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Wheat Board. These cars will move an additional 60 million bushels of prairie grain per year. The cars will be manufactured at Canadian plants. The purchase will be financed from resource revenues, a direct return to the farmers and people of Saskatchewan of my Government's resource policies. With renewed determination, my Ministers will act to protect the basic rights of farmers: equal opportunity through orderly marketing, and equal rate for equal distance through the Crow Rate. These are the bases, not only of our economic prosperity, but also of our healthy rural communities -- a social structure unique to Saskatchewan. We are increasingly concerned about the federal government's indecision on the Crow rate. We are pledged to support the Crow rate and will oppose schemes which transfer additional costs to farmers. The Canadian Wheat Board predicts that sales will increase by 50 per cent by 1985. A corresponding increase in production will require research into soil salinity, crop rotation and weed control. We must seek to increase production without an overreliance on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. We will press the federal government for income stabilization programs for the cattle producer and the hog producer as well as for the grain farmer. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES My Government will follow its present policy of managing the development of energy and mineral resources for the economic and social benefit of Saskatchewan. The production and sales records set by the potash industry in 1978 will be surpassed in 1979. World demand for potash is expected to increase steadily in the next decade. The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan's expansion program will assure that this province maintains its share of the world market. Petroleum development in Saskatchewan is increasing dramatically. More than a thousand wells have been drilled in 1979. We are pleased by the very high level of exploration for heavy oil and by the efforts made to develop and improve existing recovery technology. We will continue our current incentives to encourage further development in heavy oil. My Ministers are giving high priority to maintaining an assured supply of petroleum products for Saskatchewan farmers and consumers. As oil exploration intensifies, my Government remains firmly opposed to the federal government's proposed dismantling of the one publicly owned national oil company in Canada. We believe that the role of Petro-Canada is too important to be lost, and will press this view on the federal government. Exploration for uranium in Saskatchewan remains very active. Mines at Uranium City and Rabbit Lake shipped uranium valued at $260 million in 1978. The value of shipments will be similar this year, and should increase when the Cluff Lake mine begins operation in 1981. Through the Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation, my Government has the option of public participation in new mines in Northern Saskatchewan. As of July 1, it was involved in 245 exploration and development projects. Thus we are assured a public presence to monitor and control events at each stage of mining development. My Government recognizes that some of our future ability to provide energy depends on our present ability to conserve. During the upcoming Session you will be advised of new initiatives to assist Saskatchewan citizens to save energy. NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN In Northern Saskatchewan, my Government will continue to implement the major recommendations of the Bayda Commission. We will maximize the benefits to northern people, and to the people of Saskatchewan, while minimizing the costs of such development as much as possible. Very recently my Government entered into an agreement with the federal government which will provide funding for the development of industrial parks like the one recently announced in Creighton. The Northern Economic Development Act will be made more responsive to the needs of northern people. My Government will place an increased emphasis on support to northern schools. Greater attention will be paid to the training of northern people in resource development skills so that more people will be able to take advantage of employment opportunities in the North. The Department of Northern Saskatchewan, through its newly created Manpower Secretariat, will closely monitor mineral developments to make sure the developers meet their northern hiring commitments. Capital construction in the North will continue at a strong pace. ENVIRONMENT During this Session my Government will propose an Environmental Assessment Act. This Act will require that full consideration be given to the environmental impact of any project and that necessary mitigation measures be established. Our province will thus continue to have Canada's most comprehensive and open assessment procedure -- a procedure that is applied to both public and private developments. This Assembly will be asked to consider amendments to The Department of the Environment Act. These amendments will provide statutory requirements for reporting spills of hazardous materials and taking prompt clean-up action. HEALTH AND RECREATION Improvement of health care facilities remains a major commitment of my Government. With this is coupled a growing emphasis on maintaining health, in part through more opportunities for healthful outdoor recreation. In the current year, a Health Protection Division has been created within the Department of Health to investigate environmental health hazards. One of our main interests in the coming year will be to improve services for injured workers and the handicapped. In this regard, we await with considerable interest the report of the Task Force on Rehabilitation. Hospitals in Saskatoon, The Battlefords and Regina will be improved further, and renovations will also be made to medical facilities in smaller communities. Community Hospitals at Carrot River and La Loche are expected to be completed in 1980-81. In recent years, the number of Saskatchewan people seeking recreational opportunities in provincial parks has increased dramatically. Over the same period, participation in a variety of winter recreation activities has flourished. My Government believes this growing interest in the outdoors is a positive move toward a healthier society. We are giving special attention to our parks and to the adequacy of their recreational facilities. SOCIAL SERVICES In the coming year, my Government will continue to improve and expand social programs. We will place particular emphasis on improving employment opportunities for low income individuals and families. Over the next few months, my Minister will undertake a major evaluation of our day care program. This evaluation will give direction to Saskatchewan day care by suggesting better methods of community and parent participation. My Government will expand and develop the new Home Care program. This program provides services which enable the elderly and the handicapped to remain in their own homes. It will be one of the most extensive and comprehensive programs of its kind in North America. My Government has taken steps to provide special facilities for handicapped citizens in its newer public buildings. The Department of Government Services is currently surveying all provincial government buildings to assess the need for additional provisions for the handicapped. The specifications set by the Department will apply to all provincial government buildings, and it is our hope that they will be adhered to voluntarily outside Government. EDUCATION AND CO-OPERATION Saskatchewan has long been recognized for the high standard of education provided to our province's young people. To maintain and improve that standard, new initiatives will be taken in 1980. The social studies curriculum will be revised, and other aspects of the school curriculum will be evaluated. The special needs of Native students will be further recognized through new initiatives to be developed in co-operation with school boards and native organizations. The problems arising from the declining size of the school population will be examined co-operatively with school boards and teachers. This examination will give particular attention to the special needs of smaller rural schools. The strength of Saskatchewan's system of provincial teacher bargaining was confirmed again this year, with the conclusion of a new contract. In particular, the contract provides for secure and equitable pensions and other benefits into the 1980s. You will be asked to consider amendments to The Teachers Superannuation Act and The Teachers' Life Insurance (Government Contributory) Act arising from the successful conclusion of these negotiations. Saskatchewan's community colleges and technical institutes are facing sharply expanded demands, arising from rapid economic development. My Minister of Continuing Education is concluding a review of technical and vocational training in order to identify new training needs and new training approaches. Post-secondary education and training programs will continue to recognize economic, social, and environmental needs, as is illustrated by the creation of an environmental monitoring course at Kelsey Institute, and a radiation protection course at Saskatchewan Technical Institute. In our Jubilee year, my Government will promote student tour sand youth seminars to educate young people on the role of co-operatives in our society. We will also observe a Co-operative Week in recognition of the importance of co-operatives in our history and in our economy. My Minister will continue to offer co-operative resource materials to the educational system. JUSTICE AND CONSUMER RIGHTS Steps will be taken in the coming months to improve the court system in Saskatchewan. Five objectives will guide the changes to be introduced: --Uniformity of Service --Expansion of Service --Simplification --Accessibility --Efficiency You will be asked to consider legislation consolidating all security-related statutes in the form of The Personal Property Security Act. Legislation will also be presented to revise The Jury Act and The Libel and Slander Act. My Government will place before you measures to strengthen consumer rights and consumer protection. These will be proposed in amendments to The Department of Consumer Affairs Act and The Consumer Products Warranties Act. INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE Saskatchewan's businesses and industries have expanded and diversified at an unprecedented pace during the decade of the 70s. To maintain this momentum, my Government is helping Saskatchewan businesses, industries and communities to take full advantage of the many opportunities created by the development of the Province's natural resources. The Industrial Benefits from the Resource Development Program is assisting local businesses and industries to supply products and services required by resource development companies. The Small Industry Development and Product Development Programs are encouraging manufacturing companies to expand and develop new products. The Main Street Development Program is assisting smaller Saskatchewan centres to revitalize their business districts. Marketing support is being provided to Saskatchewan industries whose wide range of products -- modern electronic equipment to farm machinery -- are now sold around the world. Saskatchewan business people and their entrepreneurial skills have been a moving force behind the expansion and diversification of the province's economy in the 70s. My Government shares the business community's confidence in our future, and will continue to support business and industrial development in the 80s. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS My Government will introduce legislation to formalize the division of the Department of Municipal Affairs into two separate departments -- Urban Affairs and Rural Affairs. This division reflects the growing need to respond more precisely to the interests of each. At the same time, there will remain areas of inter-municipal concern which will require the closest co-operation between the two departments. My Government believes in strong local governments. Revenue sharing has provided municipalities with greater autonomy. In 1979-80 grants to urban municipalities reached $ 73 million, of which almost $ 50 million was unconditional. These grants will continue to grow as the economy grows. My Government will introduce a new capital grants program similar to the Community Capital Fund. This new capital program, along with operational Revenue Sharing will provide local governments with unprecedented levels of unconditional financial assistance. Legislation to provide for a Wakamow Valley Authority in Moose Jaw will be placed before you. LABOUR The healthy state of the Saskatchewan economy is reflected by the average employed labour force, which over the first nine months of 1979 was 14,000 higher than the average for the corresponding period of 1978. The 1979 average of 413,000 represents the highest nine-month average number of employed persons on record in Saskatchewan. At the same time, Saskatchewan continued to experience low levels of unemployment. Throughout 1979, the Saskatchewan rate has been consistently the lowest or second lowest in the country. To permit minimum wage earners to keep pace with rising living costs, the Saskatchewan minimum wage was increased to $3.50 an hour on October 1 of this year, and will be raised to $3.65 an hour on May 1, 1980. In the coming year, The Workers' Compensation Board will take new steps to encourage safer working conditions. A system of merit rebates will be introduced, rewarding those employers with excellent accident-free experience. Amendments to The Workers' Compensation Act will be placed before you. PENSIONS During this Session, you will be asked to consider amendments to The Pension Benefits Act which will strengthen the rights of those who contribute to employer pension plans. Also to be placed before you are amendments to The Public Service Superannuation Act, The Superannuation (Supplementary Provisions) Act and The Municipal employees Superannuation Act. HIGHWAYS Saskatchewan has demonstrated its commitment to improved highway transportation by a number of major projects. Highways serving the north have been completed or upgraded, and a number of bridges are under construction. A third major provincial airport is nearing completion at Buffalo Narrows. It will assist commercial and private air traffic as well as provide fire protection in the commercial forest area of Saskatchewan. My Government will continue its financial and technical assistance for improved urban transportation services. The greatest challenge facing highway transportation is that of safety. During the past five years on Saskatchewan highways there have been substantial decreases in the number of serious injuries and, most importantly, in the fatality rate. We will persist in efforts to expand highway safety. In this International Year of the Child, my Government is pleased to announce that regulations will be introduced requiring all children under five to be secured properly in child restraint devices and seat belts while riding in vehicles. The Public Accounts for the last fiscal year, together with Estimates for the year beginning April 1, 1980, will be submitted to you. 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.