What is a “Throne Speech”?

A “Throne Speech” is a statement by the province’s leader at the beginning of a legislative session, presenting the government’s plans and priorities for the term.

Introduction

Today, the Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne. The speech outlines government goals, directions, and initiatives. For the Fourth Session of the 29th Legislature. Our Construction Association Advocacy team listened closely to learn about the government’s directive for the Fall Legislative Session. We’re sharing this info to keep you updated on what the government aims to do and how it affects the construction industry.

Here is what impacts the Construction Industry:

Through the Throne Speech, the Government of Saskatchewan has indicated several priorities, of those announced on October 25th here are the items that most impact construction:

• Introduce a new Saskatchewan Jobs Plan;
• Implement the new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, which includes the creation of 500 new addiction treatment spaces across the province;
• Create 30 new Complex Needs Emergency Shelter spaces in Regina and Saskatoon;
• Continue to build a number of important hospital and health facility projects in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Weyburn, La Ronge, Grenfell and other communities;
• Continue to build new schools in Regina, Saskatoon, Lanigan, Moose Jaw and La Loche;

The Government states the following investment in Construction.

In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the government is investing:

• $100 million for the construction of the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital;
• $12 million for capital and operating funding for the Regina Urgent Care Centre;
• $3 million for the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre – in partnership with Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation
  Development;
• $38 million for the Weyburn Hospital project;
• $20 million for the new long-term care facility in La Ronge and $10 million for the new long-term care facility in Grenfell;
• Continued planning for long-term care facilities in Estevan and Watson;
• $500 thousand each for the Regina General Hospital Parkade and Yorkton Regional Health Centre
  projects; and
• Planning money has been committed for the new Rosthern Hospital, Battlefords District Care
  Centre, and the Esterhazy Integrated Facility

In addition, the Government of Saskatchewan reiterated its commitment to $147 million this fiscal year to the following projects:

• A Francophone school in Regina;
• St. Frances Cree Bilingual School in Saskatoon;
• Kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Lanigan;
• Joint-use school in Moose Jaw;
• Elementary school in La Loche;
• Regina North joint-use school;
• Saskatoon City Centre school; and
• Harbour Landing West joint-use school in Regina

Note that in 2023, total private capital investment reached $13.2 billion. This is a significant investment for our members, and we continue to encourage our government’s involvement in attracting private investment in Saskatchewan.

Associations response to the Throne Speech:

The Construction Association celebrates the Government of Saskatchewan’s continued commitment to developing our communities and the infrastructure required to support those communities and the complex needs of our society.

In addition, the implementation of a new Saskatchewan Jobs Plan is important for our industry as we continue to address a variety of needs surrounding our workforce and attract individuals to construction with an emphasis on immigration, youth, and women in construction.

Under the Saskatchewan Jobs Plan the Government of Saskatchewan has committed to recruiting, training and retaining a highly skilled workforce, ensuring strong growth in the province’s economy, in addition to creating new job opportunities and careers for Saskatchewan people – preparing the workforce of the future; Our Advocacy team will work closely with the government to identify the unlimited career opportunities in the construction industry. Through our school systems for our province’s youth.

The throne speech was concluded by saying “It means more hospitals; more schools and more highways have been built right here in Saskatchewan. And it means there is so much more to be built in the years ahead.”

We recognize that many of these projects included in the Throne Speech are active for our industry, the Construction Association is committed to working with our government partners and encouraging continuous and sustainable investment to address the needs of the people of Saskatchewan. We will continue to monitor and review the Government’s commitment to our industry on an ongoing basis – we look forward to the Government new initiative and monetary commitments in upcoming budget!

For more information contact:

Shannon Friesen – CEO

Shannon@constructionsk.ca

Kevin Dureau – CEO

Kevin@constructionsk.ca