The Saskatchewan government’s throne speech read in Regina by lt. gov. Gordon Barnhart Dec. 5 made no new promises for Saskatchewan farmers.
The speech was largely a recitation of campaign promises made by the Saskatchewan Party, which was re-elected Nov. 7 with a larger majority. Agriculture did not figure prominently in the campaign although rural ridings have been the basis for the party’s success.
Now with 49 seats to the NDP’s nine, the government said it plans to stay the course while working to improve the quality of life for residents.
The two-week session will see the introduction of legislation that the government intends to pass when it reconvenes next spring. It includes a bill that would enable the fixed election date to be changed due to a conflict with the 2015 federal election campaign.
Premier Brad Wall said affordable housing and rural health care must also be addressed.
A new speaker is presiding over the assembly. Cannington MLA Dan D’Autremont was elected over former speaker Don Toth, from Moosomin, before the speech. Toth had served as speaker since December 2007.
