Legislative Report
June 23, 2022

Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day

The summer solstice brought a very special celebration to Saskatchewan as we honoured National Indigenous Peoples Day. Events were held in many of our communities and parks to honour the heritage, diverse cultures, voices, and knowledge of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

At a sombre event at Government House in Regina, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan dedicated a new memorial to the people and families impacted by residential schools. Elders and survivors were involved in every step of the process leading up to the official unveiling of the Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial on June 21st.

Composed of all-natural elements the memorial acknowledges the earth and symbolizes the circle of life. The large central stone holds a map depicting the locations of former residential schools. It also incorporates a ceremonial smudge stone at the base.

Happy Canada Day!

With Canada Day celebrations upon us, we’d encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what it means to be Canadian. A free nation that cares about the world around us. A democratic country that upholds the value of diversity and multiculturalism.

Thank you to the men and women who have served to keep our country safe. Thank you to the citizens of Saskatchewan for continuously working towards improving our communities for future generations.

Please be safe during the festivities this Canada Day weekend. Did you know that the risk of a crash doubles on a long weekend? Don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or using other intoxicants, plan a safe ride home from the celebration, wear your seatbelt, don’t use your mobile device while driving and follow the speed limit. If we follow these tips from SGI, we can help everyone on the road reach their destination safely.

If you are heading out for summer travels this year, the Highway Hotline is a useful planning tool. The website hotline.gov.sk.ca will have an up-to-date map with highway construction, travel warnings and other information you might need to avoid delays and prepare a different route.

Enjoying Our Provincial Parks

Our Provincial Parks will be busy now that warmer weather has arrived. Last year our parks set a new record for visitation. Well over one million visits were recorded to Saskatchewan Provincial Parks in 2021, breaking the record of visits set in 2020. More than 400,000 camping nights were recorded in 2021, breaking a provincial record set in 2016.

As you explore our parks this year, new experiences and businesses will likely catch your eye. Our government has partnered with local businesses to offer new experiences and services to park visitors. This supports local entrepreneurs while expanding our park services and enhancing the guest experience. Nature walks, paragliding, sailing, a petting zoo and more; it’s worth the time to check out what’s new in our parks this summer.

Congratulations to Grads of 2022

And congratulations to the graduating class of 2022. Your efforts over the last couple of years have been impressive, pivoting to adjust to the pandemic while still focused on your education. Our government is keen to see our graduates stay here in Saskatchewan, helping build our province for the future. The Graduate Retention Program, the most aggressive youth retention program in Canada, continues to provide up to $20,000 in tax credits to post-secondary graduates who remain in Saskatchewan after graduation to start their careers. To date, more than 75,000 graduates have claimed these credits. You can find more information at Saskatchewan.ca.

We are now preparing for the Fall Sitting of the Legislature and would like to hear from you. Conversations during the summer months help to inform us on the programs and services that meet your needs. Reach out to your local Saskatchewan Party MLA office with any concerns or ideas you would like to share. Our offices can also help with issues that you might be experiencing while trying to access our services.