Table of Contents
Addressing community safety with SCAN amendments
In a decisive move to enhance community safety, the Saskatchewan government has introduced amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act. This initiative comes as part of their ongoing commitment to fulfill the promises made during the recent election campaign.
The amendments empower provincial SCAN officers with the legal authority to proactively identify and address nuisance properties, rather than waiting for public complaints. This shift is crucial in tackling the challenges posed by abandoned and dilapidated properties, which can significantly impact neighborhood safety and quality of life.
Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Tim McLeod, emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “Allowing SCAN officers to actively respond to nuisance or dilapidated properties will address immediate safety concerns and enable SCAN to assist municipalities in creating safe, thriving communities across Saskatchewan.” To support the effective implementation of these amendments, the government plans to invest $2.7 million in 2025-26 to hire additional SCAN personnel, ensuring that communities receive the attention and resources they need.
Economic relief through carbon pricing adjustments
In addition to enhancing community safety, the Saskatchewan government is taking steps to alleviate financial burdens on families by introducing legislation to keep carbon pricing off SaskEnergy bills in 2025. This move is expected to save families approximately $480 next year, providing much-needed relief in an era of rising living costs.
The decision to remove carbon pricing from home heating aligns with the federal government’s recent changes, which primarily affected home heating oil used in Atlantic Canada.
These economic adjustments are part of a broader strategy to ensure that the government remains responsive to the needs of its constituents.
Alongside the carbon pricing changes, the government has also updated the employment act to create more balanced employment laws and expanded the workers’ compensation act to include cancer coverage, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting the workforce.
Navigating a slim majority in the legislature
As the Saskatchewan Party navigates its slimmest majority since 2007, with 34 seats to the NDP’s 27, the dynamics within the party caucus have shifted significantly. Political analyst Ken Coates highlights the importance of maintaining a full presence in the house, stating, “You have to make sure you have a majority in the house at all times, and that’s really hard to do.” This new reality means that party members must be present for votes, as any absence could lead to potential defeats on crucial legislation.
Coates warns that failure to secure votes could be perceived as a repudiation of the government, potentially leading to calls for new elections. With the last day of the shortened fall legislative sitting approaching, the pressure is on for the Saskatchewan Party to deliver on its promises while ensuring that all members are present to support their initiatives. The assembly will reconvene in the spring, and the government must remain vigilant in its efforts to maintain stability and public trust.
