Throne Speech Acknowledges Rural Saskatchewan
Today’s Speech from the Throne acknowledged rural Saskatchewan and some of the burning issues facing rural communities today.
Education tax relief, effective agriculture programming, adequate revenue sharing, increased infrastructure investment, improved access to healthcare and highspeed internet service have been long standing issues SARM has been continually requesting from the Province.
“This throne speech provides some much needed Provincial recognition of these rural issues and promises some forward movement in these areas in the coming year,” says SARM President David Marit.
There is a definite recognition by the Province of the municipal infrastructure deficit and a commitment to increase funding to address it. There are promises of better support for rural doctors and to assist with the nursing shortage. There will also be an expansion of highspeed internet service to rural communities and a long term solution to revenue sharing.
The speech also promises the release of a report on education tax on property, bringing the administration of the AgriStability Program to Saskatchewan, improving the Crop Insurance Program and expanding agriculture extension services.
Marit says, “These are all issues of great importance to SARM and to rural Saskatchewan. SARM is looking forward to working together with the Province to achieve the vision and promises set out in the throne speech today.”
