Health care, safety among Saskatchewan premier’s top priorities this fall

As Saskatchewan's legislature returns for the fall, the province's premier and Opposition leader share what their main priorities are.

Ahead of the first day of the new legislative session, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government has a number of top priorities, including health care and making communities safer.

Speaking to reporters at CNAWest, a conference on nuclear energy in Saskatoon hosted by the Canadian Nuclear Association, Moe said his government is focused on improving access to primary health care providers, strengthening the education system and making communities safer with strong law enforcement — topics likely to appear in his throne speech Wednesday to be delivered by Lt. Gov. Bernadette McIntyre.

Moe also says his government is planning on tabling legislation to address addictions in the province, something they will call the “compassionate care act.”

“We’re also making the investments and the legislative changes that you’ll see this fall in the compassionate care act, to ensure that all individuals have an opportunity to access recovery-based care,” Moe said.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Carla Beck says her party plans to focus on health care and safety as main priorities as the fall session resumes.

She also is urging Premier Moe to explicitly demand the federal government end Chinese EV tariffs to help protect the canola industry.

“We’ve heard other leaders come forward,” Beck said. “He has one important job, that is to stand up for people and producers of this province.”

Moe disagrees with Beck, saying he has been more involved than any other premier in the country.