CHRISTINE TELL MLA – Provincial Update – February 12, 2010

 

 

Saskatchewan at the Olympics

Saskatchewan is already shining at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the games have only just begun.   Our pavilion is getting a lot of attention.    You can follow Saskatchewan’s presence at the games online by going to www.saskpavilion.ca.   The site is a portal to our pavilion and includes such content as videos, pictures, blogs and Facebook and Twitter.  It’s about telling the Saskatchewan story and letting people back home see and feel proud of our province’s presence at the games. I hope that all our Canadian athletes achieve their dreams, in particular those from Saskatchewan.

Potash Sales

Saskatchewan received some good news this week regarding potash sales.   Canpotex, the organization that markets potash for three Saskatchewan producers, announced a sale of 350,000 tonnes of Canadian potash to Sinofert, China’s largest fertilizer enterprise.  This is a welcome development for our economy given the potash challenges we faced last year.  While we are hopeful this is a sign of things to come, it is too early in the year to project the total impact this news will have on Saskatchewan.  Regardless, we are planning for another balanced budget in 2010-2011, and we will continue to take action to move Saskatchewan forward. 

 

Meeting with constituents at the Pilot Butte Soup and Sandwich Day at the

Golden Sunset Club    

Saskatchewan Has Best Unemployment Numbers

Judging from the latest employment numbers, Saskatchewan remains one of the best places to live and work in Canada.  We continue to have the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 4.7 per cent, which is well below the national rate of 8.3 per cent.  More people are working in Saskatchewan, earnings are up, our population is higher than ever and our province’s economy is expected to lead the country in growth this year.  Our government is committed to taking action to ensure Saskatchewan remains a leader.

Stadium Feasibility Study Almost Completed

The feasibility study will be completed within the next month and is expected to provide a sound basis for making a decision.

 

The multi-use entertainment facility would serve as a focus for future residential and commercial development providing a location to host football, soccer, trade shows, conventions, concerts, cultural and community activities that will provide economic and cultural benefits to both Regina and Saskatchewan.

 

Public consultations indicated that key issues of concern are parking, accessibility of the facility to community groups and users, and how the facility would fit in with other venues in Regina.  The study touches on all of the technical and financial issues for the partners to make a decision – integration of the site and facility in downtown Regina; acquiring the CP land and rail relocation; site remediation; design of the facility; overall capital cost; operating costs; potential revenues; economic impact; the relationship with the Riders and the cost of this particular project.

 

There is little doubt that this is a large and expensive undertaking however, it is a fifty year project and from a financial perspective it would not have an immediate impact on the finances of any of the partners until likely 2014. The entertainment facility project is not included in or linked to the 2010-2011 budget.

Legislative Session

The spring Legislative session will commence on March 8. It is expected Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer will bring down the budget on March 24.

Staying in Touch

I appreciate the many opportunities to make a positive difference in our constituency. Your phone calls, letters and emails make a big difference in keeping me informed on the issues that matter to you.

If you would like to recognize anyone or have your event mentioned in this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 “Provincial Update” is a monthly message from Christine Tell MLA, Regina Wascana Plains. Your opinions are important. Christine welcomes your letters, emails and phone calls on any issues relating to the provincial government. Contact Christine’s office by calling (306) 205-2126, sending an email message to christinetellmla@accesscomm.ca or letter to Christine Tell MLA Regina Wascana Plains, 2318B Assiniboine Ave. East, Regina, SK  S4V 2P5. To subscribe or be removed from this newsletter, please send an email message.

This newsletter is produced with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Party Caucus Office.