The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Expanded cellular coverage in the far north and the return of physician house calls for certain elderly patients were among the promises outlined in the Saskatchewan government's Throne Speech on Wednesday. Highlights of pledges from the speech include: Major investments by Crown corporations, including four new cellular sites in the far north in Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids, Black Lake and Wollaston Lake. A new program to enable some seniors with complex health issues to receive house calls from physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care providers. ÊNew measures to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities, with a particular focus on tougher penalties for drinking and driving. New anti-bullying measures. ÊImprovement to Internet access and speed in all schools through SaskTel's CommunityNet program. A new 'Student First' approach in education that will include consultations with students, teachers, parents and administrators. Further highway twinning in high traffic areas. Expansion of the HeadStart on a Home program to encourage construction of rental properties. A new program designed to improve housing options for seniors. One-thousand new training seats, including 300 new apprenticeship seats and 700 new Adult Basic Education seats. A comprehensive public consultation on the province's disability strategy. 'These are just some of the actions our government will be taking to address the challenges of growth, with more to come in the next provincial budget in March,' Premier Brad Wall said. 'Growth creates many challenges, but they are sure preferable to the challenges of decline that Saskatchewan was facing just a few years ago.' Opposition leader Cam Broten called the Throne Speech 'backward-looking.' 'It points to the fact that Saskatchewan families have been working harder than ever over the past year,' he said, 'but doesn't give people any indication that this government will hold up its end of the deal when it comes to fixing the things that matter like health care, seniors care and our kids' education.'
