What to Expect
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Assembly is set to start its third session this Wednesday, marking the midway point of the term and bringing with it a new legislative agenda. This session will be the first with Carla Beck as the new NDP leader. It remains to be seen how the session strategy will change, but you can expect the party to continue challenging the government on health care and education. The opposition may also target Saskatchewan Party supporters with proposed economic measures. You can expect Wednesday’s Throne speech to fuel political discussions in the province for the week. Look for conversations to focus on the recently released White Paper on autonomy, health care investments, and the economy.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s new legislative session will begin on Friday, but that may be overshadowed by municipal elections being held tomorrow. Look to see if NDP or PC-aligned mayors and councillors win the night. Many will be reading those results as a prediction of what’s to come in next year’s provincial election.
The Week That Was
Saskatchewan
The provincial government has announced a $7.5 million boost in funding for the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program. In the 2022-23 provincial budget, the funding for the program was increased to $10 million from $2 million. The added funding brings the total available in 2022-23 to $17.5 million.
Nearly 400 applications have been received since Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health announced the province’s Health Human Resources Action Plan in early September. The plan is a call-out for unlicensed, internationally educated Saskatchewan and/or Canadian residents who may qualify for future training or employment in the provincial health system.
The Ministry of Health is introducing a biosimilars initiative that will include ten medications covered by the Saskatchewan Drug Plan, along with additional products as biosimilars become available.
Manitoba
Premier Heather Stefanson has announced that the Manitoba government will invest up to $40 million in servicing infrastructure to support the expansion and future development of CentrePort South. Located in Winnipeg and Rosser, CentrePort Canada is North America’s largest tri-modal inland port and foreign trade zone.
The Government of Manitoba will be establishing a new advisory committee – the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council on Competitiveness – to focus on the competitiveness of the province in relation to other provinces and the U.S., and provide advice, guidance, and recommendations on issues pertaining to Manitoba’s economic growth and prosperity.
The Manitoba government is providing more than $8.7 million for waste diversion initiatives, with a focus on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and creating a circular economy in Manitoba.
