LEGISLATIVE RECAP
Saskatchewan celebrated Parks Week July 9-15 with many events and themed programs available in provincial parks for visitors to enjoy. Whether through hiking, relaxing at the beach, fishing or water sports, people of all ages enjoyed the outdoors and celebrated the natural beauty of our great province!
Our province recently received great news on the population and labour force. Saskatchewan continues to enjoy the largest population growth since 1914, with an increase of over 33,000 in the past year reaching an all-time high of 1.221 million. In the first quarter of this year alone, over 6,000 people chose to make Saskatchewan home.
A labour force record has been broken, too; over 604,700 people are working in Saskatchewan today, more than ever before. Regina and Saskatoon are seeing record employment levels at 148,300 and 198,800, respectively. The province has added 3,300 new jobs in the past year, and our unemployment level of 4.7 per cent is the third lowest in Canada.
Saskatchewan’s growing population and workforce supports a growing economy and allows our government to invest in priority areas, like health care. Our government invested $98.8 million in the Health Human Resources Action Plan in this year’s budget and we are seeing strong results. Since December 2022, 485 grad nurses from across the province and Canadahave been hired to join the health care system. A group of Registered Nurses (RNs) from the Philippines have arrived and begun training, the first group of over 400 Filipino RNs recruited.
Progress continues toward filling 250 new and enhanced permanent full-time positions in rural and remote areas, with 157 positions now filled. Incentives of up to $50,000 have been approved for 140 health care professionals and are still available, as well as incentives packages for physicians in rural and remote areas of up to $200,000.
For students and adults interested in careers in health care, the Saskatchewan Health Authority offers job shadowing opportunities; learn more at www.Saskatchewan.ca/HHR.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and fellow provincial and territorial premiers were in Winnipeg July 10-12 for the Council of the Federation summer meeting. The premiers discussed several priorities and issues that impact all Canadians, including health care, infrastructure, and the British Columbia port workers’ strike. Premier Scott Moe, "Premiers from across Canada spent the past few days having open and active discussions with a focus on building strong, growing communities and economies.
We are united in our call to engage with the Prime Minister on competitive and strategic infrastructure, including critical supply chains for each province’s unique circumstances and needs.
We need to work together to support future growth and prosperity for all Canadians."
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to stand up for the best interests of the people of Saskatchewan. If you have questions, concerns or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at ken.cheveldayoff.mla@sasktel.net or call 306.651.7100.
SPECIALIZED CARDIAC PROCEDURE NOW OFFERED IN SASKATOON
Our government is providing new funding of $330,000 in 2023-24 to establish the Transcatheter Mitral Valve
Repair program, a first of its kind in the prairie provinces.
This funding will help support the program at the Royal University Hospital Catheterization Lab in Saskatoon and ten transcatheter mitral valve repair procedures will be performed in 2023-24 for priority cases currently on the wait list.
SASKATCHEWAN PARKS HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER - EXPLORE AND CONNECT WITH NATURE
Saskatchewan's provincial parks offer camping, glamping, hiking, and fun at the lake. There are also exciting events and programming to fill visitors' days with fun, laughter, and joy in the great outdoors.
“From forests, to grasslands, to sand dunes, the diversity of Saskatchewan’s landscapes and parks often surprises visitors,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “With exciting programs and events, Parks Week is a great time to explore and celebrate all the beauty our province has to offer.”
Saskatchewan Parks Week is a Great Time to Explore and Connect with Nature | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
Take a Moment in Sask Parks July 12 - July 25 | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
