|
CHRISTINE
TELL MLA – Provincial Update – November 9, 2010 Hostile
Takeover Bid for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Rejected by
Federal Government After
months of speculation and debate, the federal government announced this
week it was rejecting Australian mining giant BHP Billiton’s hostile
takeover bid for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan. Industry
Minister Tony Clement sided with Saskatchewan when he announced the
takeover bid did not meet Investment Canada criteria requiring that any
foreign investment be a net benefit for Canada. To the many people,
including the federal Minister, the Premiers of Alberta, Quebec and
Manitoba, respected Canadian business leaders and, most importantly the
people of Saskatchewan, our government says thank you. This
was the right decision for many reasons. If BHP Billiton had
been successful in its takeover bid, the Canadian and Saskatchewan
economies stood to lose billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
Even if the huge mining company was able to meet the concessions it made
to offset anticipated losses in jobs and revenue, it could never account
for the loss of this strategic resource. Never before has a
corporate takeover of this nature involved a jurisdiction containing more
than half of the world’s supply. The BHP Billiton deal alone
accounted for 30 per cent of that. This
was not an easy decision. Our government, as I’m sure the federal
government did, struggled with it. It asks a fundamental question:
can Saskatchewan and Canada be free-trading, open market jurisdictions and
still say no to certain take-over proposals? The answer is yes.
We can be open for business and, at the same time, take steps to protect
this strategic resource belonging to the people of Saskatchewan. This
is not over yet. Over the next 30 days, BHP Billiton has the right
to respond to the federal government’s decision and possibly make a
revised offer. We know they are already considering their options.
Our government will remain vigilant and continue to take action that
protects the shareholders of our strategic potash resource: YOU, the
people of Saskatchewan.
REGINA'S
REVAMPED MATERNAL AND BABY CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS Celebrating
a family-centred approach to maternal and infant care, Premier Brad Wall today
joined kids born at Regina General Hospital, staff, donors and the public to
officially open the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care. The
provincial government provided the $28.4 million in funding for the construction
project. The new centre creates better integration of labour and birth services,
the neonatal intensive care unit and related services for mothers and newborns
in a family-centred atmosphere. There will be 36 new mother/baby rooms. "We
are here today to celebrate one more step toward a more family-centred health
care system - a system that puts the patient first," Wall said. "The
children of this province are our future," Health Minister Don McMorris
said. "The opening of this centre reassures me that we are giving our
children the best possible start in life." "We
are proud that donors Gordon and Doug Rawlinson led the way with their desire to
give back," Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Judy Davis said. "The
Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care is a result of the critical support of
community leaders like the Rawlinsons, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, the
Ministry of Health and the Province of Saskatchewan. This is a story about
building on excellence and what the community can do when we share a common
vision." Regina
Qu'Appelle Health Region oversaw the three-year redevelopment project, which was
split into six stages to allow construction to take place with the minimum
disruption of existing services. New
equipment and furnishings for the centre were made possible through the
Hospitals of Regina Foundation's Small is Big campaign. Through the vision of
Gordon and Doug Rawlinson of Rawlco Radio and the generosity of many other
donors, $6 million was raised for the centre. For more information, see the
Foundation's website at www.hrf.sk.ca.
PROVINCE
HELPS REGINA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD MOUNTIE HOUSE
A Habitat for Humanity partner
family will soon achieve their dream of homeownership, thanks to $50,000 in
funding assistance from the province through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
The home, known as "Mountie House," is the result of a partnership
between the RCMP Depot Division and Habitat for Humanity Regina. The partnership
also commemorates the 125th Anniversary of the formation of RCMP Depot Division
in Regina. "This is truly a
significant milestone in the history of Habitat for Humanity and the RCMP Depot
Division," Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude said. "Our government is
pleased to be a part of this event and, most importantly, to help one more
family improve their quality of life by owning their own home." "On November 19, 2009 we
announced our partnership with Depot Division. What an amazing experience to
work with this stellar organization," Habitat for Humanity Regina CEO
Dennis Coutts said. "Thank you to the City of Regina, Saskatchewan Housing
Corporation, and Mosaic for your support in the Mountie House." The funding is part of the $1
million investment announced by the province on April 1 to assist Habitat for
Humanity's Saskatchewan affiliates in providing 20 homes for lower-income
Saskatchewan families in housing need. This funding is on top of the $1 million
that was announced by the province in March 2009. As of October 2010, the
province has committed $1.4 million of the $2 million grant funding available to
Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the province to assist in the delivery of
28 homes. Located at 1045 Rae Street in
Regina, the home is expected to be completed in March 2011. Each selected
Habitat partner family contributes 500 partnering hours to build their home and
other Habitat for Humanity homes. This assists in the development of the Habitat
for Humanity community and their neighbourhood. _______________________________________________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________________________________________ This
newsletter is produced with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Party Caucus
Office. |
||
 |
 |
|