Agricultural research and innovation will remain priorities for the Saskatchewan government, said the throne speech delivered this afternoon by lieutenant governor Vaughn Solomon Scofield.
The speech to begin the legislative session highlighted initiatives documented in the recently announced growth plan, such as the goal to see agricultural exports rise from $10 billion in 2011 to $15 billion in 2020.
It said that research and innovation is “vital to the future success of our farmers and ranchers as we work to continue this growth,” and noted that research funding has increased more than 50 percent since 2007. The most recent budget included a record $20 million expenditure for research.
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The government also pledged to focus on value-added processing and irrigation.
The speech repeated the promise to establish a global institute for food security.
“With over 40 percent of Canada’s arable farm land and more than 30 percent of the nation’s biotech research community located in Saskatchewan, the institute is well placed to advance innovation in food production techniques and crop management systems to help feed a growing world population.”
The government intends to proclaim a new environmental code this fall.
The legislative session will also focus on highway safety measures after the death last summer of a worker in a construction zone. Fines for drivers speeding through the zones will be tripled, and legislation will be amended to allow the use of photo radar.
The government plans to forgive up to $120,000 in student loans for new doctors and up to $20,000 for new nurses and nurse practitioners who practice in rural, remote or underserved communities for up to five years.
It will also establish its promised 20-doctor rural locum pool.
Legislation to establish a new provincial park is also expected this session.
The fall sitting wraps up Dec. 5 and the spring sitting will begin March 4. The budget is set for March 20.
