The provincial government said it will release its growth plan for the next decade expecting to create 100,000 more jobs and grow the population to 1.4 million by 2030.
It said it will do this by continued exports of agriculture products and minerals.
“About one in 10 homes in Canada, nearly one in 20 in the United States and millions more in other countries receive electricity produced from Saskatchewan uranium,” said Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty to open the Legislative session Wednesday. “Despite challenges stemming from low uranium prices, Saskatchewan sees opportunity in new discoveries and uranium projects. SaskPower will continue to explore the potential for small modular reactors using Saskatchewan uranium to produce safe, emissions-free electricity here in our province.”
Premier Moe speaking to his last Throne Speech prior to the 2020 fall general election said investments in new technology for the mining sector is needed to drive future growth.
“The investments that are being required and the jobs that they are going to need for the future, how do we prepare for that?” asked Moe. “Understanding that some of our mining industries located in northern Saskatchewan, employing northern residents, how do we ensure we are making the proper investments so that northern residents have the tools to be the miners of the future?”
The remainder of the 20-page speech focused on what the government has already accomplished, with very little on the future of the north.
“You talk about a government that is to govern for all of Saskatchewan, well they are missing a lot of people who are not feeling they are getting the government’s attention,” Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette said.
Vermette pointed to high utility bills, cost of living, lack of employment and infrastructure improvements as unaddressed concerns and struggles facing the north.
As for how the government can reach its job growth plan, Vermette said the details will still need to be unveiled.
On the First Nations file, the government highlighted previous child welfare agreements.
(Photo: Premier Moe welcomes LG Mirasty to the Legislative Assembly for the Speech from the Throne. By Dan Jones)