Saskatchewan.

• Author: Ursulescu, Stacey
• Position: Legislative Reports

The third session of the 27th Legislative Assembly resumed on March 3, 2014. Some of the highlights included the Budget presentation and debate on several government bills and motions.

Government Motions

Several government motions were debated and passed in the spring sitting. The first two government motions were moved by unanimous consent under Rule 61 - urgent and pressing necessity. These motions focused on grain transportation and the crisis in Ukraine. Three additional government motions sought support for the Northern Gateway pipeline, the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the use of a P3 model in the construction of a new bridge in the city of Saskatoon. An amendment to the motion on the P3 model was proposed but defeated.

Budget Presentation

On March 19, 2014, Finance Minister Ken Krawetz presented the province's budget for 20142015. The Budget entitled Steady Growth focused on infrastructure investments for highways, hospitals, high-speed data networks and education capital. The government cited significant planned expenditures in health, social services and labour force development.

Prior to the budget presentation, the Opposition laid out seven items they wished to see in the budget. According to the Opposition, six out of seven of their requests were not met. Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon criticized the government for not addressing the high cost of living, citing increases to monthly bills from some of the Crown Corporations and less transfers to municipalities as ways the government is pushing pressure onto property tax. The item that was included in the budget was the presentation of the budget on a summary basis and the requirement that only the summary financial statements are included in the public accounts. For many years, the Provincial Auditor recommended that the government produce their budget and financial statements on a summary basis. This change was included in the Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2014.

Legislation

The Assembly passed two bills that relate to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, 2007.

Bill No. 129--The Executive Government Administration Act establishes the Office of Executive Council, consolidates the provisions of The Government Organization Act, The Tabling of Documents Act, 1991 and The Federal-Provincial Agreements Act. It is accompanied by Bill No. 130--The Executive Government Administration Consequential Amendments Act, 2013 This Act provides separate acts for...