The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) will receive a provincial operating grant of $10.3 million in 2015 to operate its network.
“In line with the province’s fiscal restraint measures, STC has taken strong steps to eliminate growth in the operating grant for this year,” Minister responsible for STC Jennifer Campeau said.
STC will not take a capital grant in 2015.
STC has recently taken delivery of five used coaches. These coaches have the standard amenities demanded by passengers including expanded leg room, 110V outlets and Wi-Fi and allow STC to retire older coaches reaching their end of service.
“In 2015, STC will continue to provide safe and reliable services to Saskatchewan residents, while mitigating the effects of rising costs to ensure these services are delivered efficiently,” Campeau said.
Act proclaimed
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed the Athletics Commission Act.
The legislation provides the province with the authority to establish the Athletics Commission of Saskatchewan, a body that will sanction professional combative sporting events in the province.
“This commission will ensure that we have a consistent set of rules, regulations and safety protocols for participants and officials across the province,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “I am confident that the commission will effectively oversee professional combative sports in Saskatchewan.”
Once the commission is fully operational, it will have the ability to sanction professional combative sporting events in Saskatchewan, including mixed martial arts and boxing.
The commission oversees all administration related to professional combative sporting events. It will approve event permits, ensure that promoters and competitors have the proper licenses, and that event rules are adhered to.
The commission will also be responsible for ensuring that qualified personnel—medical staff, referees, judges and timekeepers – are hired for events and that athletes receive proper medical examinations before and after participating in competitions.
The commission will be ready to accept applications for promoter and contestant licenses, as well as event permits, in early April.
Exports
January’s merchandise exports reached a new high for Saskatchewan, while posting an increase of 14.1 per cent year-over-year, ranking fourth among the provinces for growth.
Figures recently released by Statistics Canada indicate the value of Saskatchewan’s merchandise exports increased from approximately $2.5 billion in January 2014 (seasonally unadjusted) to more than $2.8 billion in January 2015, the highest value ever for January in the province.
“Saskatchewan’s continued growth is enabled by our diversified economy and driven by the competitiveness and innovation of our people,” Minister responsible for Trade Jeremy Harrison said.
Major increases for Saskatchewan in January were in the categories of metal and non-metallic mineral products (up 741.9 per cent), basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (up 75.6 per cent), and metal ores and non-metallic minerals (up 49.9 per cent).
