The Saskatchewan government has set out its priorities for the coming legislative session, promising measures aimed at affordability, health care, public safety and economic growth.
In the Speech from the Throne on Tuesday, Oct. 27, Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre said Saskatchewan remains “strong and steady” despite global uncertainty, including trade disruptions, tariffs and market instability. The government’s agenda focuses on growing the economy while continuing investments in services and affordability.
Premier Scott Moe said the province is experiencing unprecedented economic activity, pointing to more than 60 major projects valued at over $100 billion currently underway across Saskatchewan. He said attracting investment and expanding export markets will help create jobs and opportunities for residents.
Among the legislative changes proposed for the session are measures to expand the scope of practice for health-care professionals, increase oversight of personal care homes, strengthen safeguards around medical assistance in dying, combat human trafficking, address opioid-related harms and regulate deceptive uses of artificial intelligence. The government also plans to introduce tougher impaired-driving penalties and changes to adoption legislation.
The throne speech also highlighted affordability, with the government pledging to further raise Saskatchewan’s provincial income tax exemption threshold in the upcoming spring budget. Moe noted that a family of four currently pays no provincial income tax on its first $65,000 of income.
Opposition response
However, the opposition Saskatchewan NDP says the throne speech does not address the province’s most pressing challenges.
In a statement released following the speech, NDP Leader Carla Beck described the government’s agenda as “more of the same” from a government she says has become disconnected from residents’ concerns. Beck argued the speech did not contain meaningful plans to improve access to family doctors, reduce child poverty or address affordability pressures facing Saskatchewan families.
Beck also criticized the government’s continued support for a proposed hyperscale AI data centre near Regina and said an NDP government would focus on cost-of-living measures, health-care reform and accountability.
NDP health critic Meara Conway said the throne speech shows the Sask. Party has run out of ideas after two decades in power, arguing many of the government’s proposals resemble previous initiatives.
The fall sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislature is scheduled to continue until Dec. 10.
