Saskatchewan.

• Author: Park, Robert
• Position: Legislative Reports - 100th year for the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly building, Lorne Calvert's portrait and Saskatchewan's provincial budget

The Second session of the Twenty-seventh Legislature began with the Speech from the Throne by Lieutenant Governor, Vaugh Solomon Schofield on October 25, 2012. The Throne Speech, entitled Planning for Growth, focused on investing in infrastructure, addressing the skilled labour shortage and ensuring Saskatchewan remains competitive, while maintaining fiscal discipline and a balanced budget. The Speech also focused on improving the health and education systems, life for persons with disabilities, educational outcomes, and employment opportunities for First Nations and Metis people.

The Opposition argued that the Throne Speech did not address the needs of the middle class or small businesses and only provided tax cuts to big business. According to the Opposition, the Speech also failed to address the shortfalls in education and post secondary education, nor did it provide any new plans to improve health care.

Diamond Jubilee and 100th Anniversary of the Legislative Building

The year 2012 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Legislative Building in Saskatchewan and the 60th Anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne and as such, many events have taken place to mark these significant milestones.

The official opening of the newly enhanced Queen Elizabeth II Gardens occurred on August 12, 2012. The opening included the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier, Brad Wall, and City Councilors in the province's landau. They were accompanied by the 32 member RCMP Musical Ride. It was the final time the province used the landau. The landau will be on permanent display at Government House.

The contents of the 1909 Time Capsule and more than 100 archival photos of the Legislative Building were on exhibit in the Cumberland Gallery until November 26, 2012. The new 2012 Time Capsule was filled with new items that will be sealed for future generations. Speaker Dan D'Autremont wrote a letter to future Members, which is to be included in the 2012 Time Capsule.

The Ministry of Education developed an education program for grade 4 students, which included a die-cut model of the Legislative Building, resources for educators and a website with online learning tools about the Legislative Building.

On October 10, 2012 Speaker D'Autremont officially unveiled the new carpet in the Chamber. The worn-out red carpet was replaced with a new green carpet in keeping with the original intent of the building's design.

The 100th Anniversary celebration took...