Saskatchewan Moving Forward in Regina Wascana Plains

“Our government has pursued a growth agenda – a growing population and a growing economy. But growth is not an end in itself. Growth allows us to pursue our real goal – making Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to work, live and raise a family. That’s why our government is committed to moving Saskatchewan forward.”

Premier Brad Wall – 2011

The growth agenda that is moving Saskatchewan forward is on full display in the Regina Wascana Plains constituency.

In addition to the continued growth in Windsor Park and Wascana View, developments such as the Greens on Gardiner and the Creeks in Regina along with new residential and commercial development in Pilot Butte, Emerald Park and White City are adding to our population and the local economy.

The Creeks

Located east of Prince of Wales Drive on Highway 33, The Creeks

features over 12 acres of landscaped park space, in addition to environmental reserve areas.

When all three phases of the project are completed, there will be 600 single family units and 180 townhouse units.

Kevin Reese, General Manager of The Creeks indicates that when completed in five years, the project will house 2,100 people.

The Greens on Gardiner

A diverse residential housing design highlights The Greens on Gardiner, a community focused upon a greener lifestyle. The Greens is located off Woodland Grove Drive.

This three phase development, now in its second phase, will see 1360 single family units and 800 multi-family units when completed by 2017, five years ahead of the original schedule.

Lorne Yagelniski of Yagar Developments indicates there is room in the development for two proposed schools and some small commercial development.

When completed The Greens on Gardiner will have a population of 6,500.

Mr. Yagelniski stated that plans are in the works for a future development north of The Greens on Gardiner called The Towns. This development is projected to house 12,000 people over the next 10-15 years.

Pilot Butte

The town of Pilot Butte has three developments underway which will see 90 units, both single family and multi-family, add 300 people to the town’s population in 2-3 years. Pilot Butte’s present population is 2,000.

Town administrator, Laurie Rudolph is optimistic about the town’s future. She stated that a treatment plant will be completed this year which will allow the town to provide central water to residents, replacing 630 individual wells by 2013.

In addition to the housing developments, a proposed mini-mall is being considered.

Ms Rudolph went on to say that if everything goes according to plan, Pilot Butte could see an additional 4,000 people in 10-15 years.

White City

Statistics Canada has named White City as the fastest growing community in Saskatchewan. It has experienced a 72% growth rate over the past five years.

Located east of Regina on the Trans Canada Highway, White City’s population has reached 2400.

White City Mayor Bruce Evans said plans have been approved for 200 more lots which will add 600 more people over the next 2 years.

The number of new home building permits in 2010 was 70 and 83 in 2011.

Evans said plans are underway that will see White City grow by another 2-3,000 people over the next 5-10 years.

Emerald Park

Located next to White City, Emerald Park is part of the R.M. of Edenwold. Home to 1600 people, the community has 30 new residential lots in its plans.

The area is seeing new commercial development on both sides of the highway highlighted by the new RCMP Regina detachment facility, new restaurants, commercial space and a gas bar.

 

 

BUDGET 2012-13: KEEPING THE SASKATCHEWAN ADVANTAGE

Finance Minister Ken Krawetz presented a balanced budget on March 21 that improves access to health care and makes life more affordable for Saskatchewan citizens while ensuring spending on government services remains affordable and sustainable.

The 2012-13 Budget posts a pre-transfer surplus of $95 million in the General Revenue Fund and a surplus of $15 million in the Summary Financial Statements, which take into account all government operations, including the Crown corporations.

The budget makes a number of key investments, including:

·                $98 million increase or 3.5 per cent for Regional Health Authorities;

·                $60.5 million for the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative, to perform 8,000 more surgeries and continue reducing surgical wait times;

·                $16.9 million more for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, for 6,000 new patient referrals, almost 30,000 chemotherapy treatments and 39,000 mammograms

·                $4.0 million to expand the colorectal screening program province-wide, providing early cancer detection and improved survival rates;

·                $3.5 million for the Senior Personal Care Home benefit, estimated to be $278 a month, rising to $369 per month by 2015-16;

·                $24.2 million, a $3.3 million increase to provide Seniors Income Plan benefit increases of up to $50 per month starting July 2012, an increase of up to $10 per month in each of the next three years;

·                $113 million, a $17.8 million increase to provide expanded Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability eligibility. The benefit will increase and the number of clients will expand from 3,000 to 10,000;

·                $237.4 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing, an increase of $20.6 million or 9.5 per cent;

·                $4.6 million to meet the commitment to establish the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship, that will provide new high school graduates with up to $2,000 toward tuition fees at any Saskatchewan post-secondary institution;

·                $3.0 million increase to expand the Active Families Benefit Program to include all children and youth under 18;

·                A new rental housing construction initiative providing a 10 year rebate of Corporate Income Tax equal to 10 per cent of the expected rental income from new multi-unit residential rental projects;

·                The new Saskatchewan First-Time Homebuyers' tax credit of up to $1,100 against Saskatchewan income tax payable.

The 2012-13 Budget also makes a total of $788 million in capital expenditures across government, including:

·                $88.7 million for 21 approved major school projects, including the new school in White City.

Mr. Krawetz said, "All over the world, we are seeing the chaos caused by governments that did not live up to that second part of their responsibility. We will not make that mistake. We will keep the budget balanced, we will keep government spending sustainable, and we will keep the Saskatchewan Advantage."

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  Christine at the Constituency Office