The province is experiencing growing pains and the government promised to address that.
The pledge came during today’s speech from the throne which opened a new session of the Saskatchewan legislature.
It outlined a plan to help seniors, students, the unemployed and residents of the north.
The theme of the speech is meeting the challenges of growth.
Premier Brad Wall says the booming economy is putting a strain on health care, education, highways and housing.
The Premier says the throne speech outlines a plan to make sure all people share in the benefits of the growing economy.
“Our overall growth plan is very much at the heart of the throne speech and our growth plan you will know focuses extensively on first nations, focuses extensively on training for first nations on education goals for first nations.”
The speech also promises four new cellular sites to address the needs of northern residents.
The towers will be go up in Fond du lac, Stony Rapids, Black Lake and Wollaston lake.
The Premier is also adjusting the royalty rates for uranium mining to provide an incentive for the industry to increase production.
The NDP opposition calls the throne speech weak and unimaginative.
Party Leader Cam Broten says it is a big disappointment.
“It is not speaking to the needs Saskatchewan families have. What I was hoping to see was a throne speech that would address some key areas families are talking about.”
Broten says those key areas including seniors care, lack of classroom resources, and poor health care.
This session of the legislature will also see tough new drinking and driving laws and new anti-bullying measures.
As well there will be pilot projects aimed at taking the pressure off emergency rooms in Regina and Saskatoon.
It will target people who abuse the system.
As an example, two people were responsible for more than 500 emergency room visits to hospitals in Regina and Saskatoon over the past two years.
Those patients would be red-flagged and referred to services like mental health or addictions counseling where their needs could be better met.