Economy and autonomy likely on the priority list for throne speech

On Wednesday, the Speaker will rise to deliver the throne speech in the provincial legislature, explaining the government’s priorities for the next year and ushering in the legislature.

In his speech to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Premier Scott Moe dropped some hints as to what the speech from the throne will focus on.

Moe spent much of the speech praising the province’s growing economy and said his government will make commitments this fall to keep it going.

“The speech from the throne in Saskatchewan will most certainly focus on unlocking the tremendous potential that this province has and that the people who live here are doing,” Moe said.

“There is a strong tailwind propelling this province forward in a world where energy security and ultimately food security are paramount.”

Moe said the province will open another international trade office, this time in Europe. He explained that there is a conversation going on about energy and food security and he wants Saskatchewan to be the provider of choice for that security.

“We know that this focus on international exposure is not only important for the industries that operate and do business in this province and in which we operate. We know this is working, and we know this initiative will need to be expanded (and) modified as it continues,” Moe told the crowd.

With the “Drawing the Line” strategy paper released a few weeks ago, it’s no surprise that provincial autonomy legislation is coming this fall.

“New laws that will ultimately assert Saskatchewan’s exclusive jurisdiction over the development of our natural resources as well as our economic future,” he said.

Moe said his government will defend the line of responsibility.

“We will do everything we can, within the limits of the Constitution, to ensure that we protect and defend the jobs that create wealth in our communities in the province, we will do everything we can to protect those.” and to defend our economic future – the jobs of today as well as the jobs of tomorrow – to defend our economic future on behalf of the people we represent and to unlock the Saskatchewan potential we know we have in this province .”

Although Moe hasn’t explained exactly what the legislation will say or how it will achieve that.

The premier also spoke of Saskatchewan wanting more control over immigration, in part to fill the growing number of vacancies in the province – balancing both his priorities of economy and provincial autonomy.

The province has already submitted an agreement to the federal immigration minister that Moe said would give Saskatchewan similar powers to Quebec in this regard, including a higher number of immigrants who can choose themselves.

The throne speech is expected to be delivered around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

The sack. NDP

Official opposition will bring a new colleague to the assembly for the first time on Wednesday – Nathaniel Teed was elected to the Saskatoon-Meewasin seat in September’s by-election to replace former leader Ryan Meili.

It will also be a new experience for Carla Beck – she has been an MLA for years, but she will be the leader of the opposition for the first time in the fall.