Saskatchewan Minute: Final Offer, Governor General, and a Fibre Optic Expansion

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Legislature will sit from Monday to Thursday this week. Bill No. 613 (The Saskatchewan Employment (Fairer Workplaces, Better Jobs) Amendment Act), Bill No. 614 (The Public Participation Act), Bill No. 615 (The Comprehensive Wetland Conservation Policy Act), and Bill No. 616 (The Duty to Consult Act) are all at Second Reading. There are a variety of Committee meetings this week too.
  
  
• Governor General Mary Simon will make her inaugural official visit to Saskatchewan today, focusing on reconciliation, mental health, education, and climate change. Her schedule includes meetings with provincial, civic, and Indigenous leaders, youth, educators, newcomers, and artists. The visit will commence with an official welcoming ceremony at the Legislative Assembly, followed by engagements at Government House, the First Nations University of Canada, Regina Open Door Society, and Saskatoon's Maternal Care Centre, concluding on April 24th.
  
  
• We’re thrilled to announce our inaugural Pints & Politics event in Regina on April 30th at 6:00 pm at the Creekside Pub & Brewery. We're going to keep things simple and just have some casual drinks, with no formal agenda, as an opportunity for everyone to get together with like-minded Saskatchewanians. Come out and meet some of our Saskatchewan Institute team! The event is free, but registration is required. You can RSVP by clicking here.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Province announced a boost in funding for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon of $667,000. This increase aims to address the shortage of veterinarians in rural areas, with incentives like student loan forgiveness for those working in these regions. Collaboration with Manitoba and British Columbia is ongoing to support the College's mission of training veterinarians for these provinces as well. Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit emphasized the importance of retaining large animal vets in rural areas to support livestock producers and related industries, ultimately contributing to the growth of the livestock sector.
  
  
• SaskTel announced an additional investment of $80 million into expanding its fibre optic network to rural communities, reaching a total investment of $280 million. This expansion aims to connect 61 additional communities, bringing the total connected communities to 193 and making Saskatchewan one of the most well-connected provinces in Canada. There are plans to reach 225 communities and nearly 85% of homes and businesses by the time the multi-phase rural fibre initiative is completed by the end of 2027. SaskTel's total investment in fibre optics in the province is estimated to reach $1 billion.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has decided to bring the Province’s final offer to its members after months of negotiations. The offer includes a three-year agreement with salary increases of 3% in the first and second years, 2% in the third year, and retroactive pay to September 2023. Teachers will vote on May 8th and 9th.