HIGHLIGHTS OF WALL’S FINAL THRONE SPEECH

Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield read the throne speech on Wednesday, marking the start of a new legislative session. Highlights include:

Raising the corporate income

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tax rate back to 12 per cent. It was lowered by half a percentage point on July 1 and was supposed to go lower in 2019, but Wall says the province can be competitive at 12 per cent. In a parallel move, Wall will move to raise the income threshold for what qualifies as a small business from $500,000 to $600,000.

Bringing in a tax break for

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seniors, and allowing those with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education portion of their property taxes.

Introducing an agricultural

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incentive to attract more investment, although details are unclear.

Making it easier for people to

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seek court action when they have intimate images of themselves shared online without consent. The law, according to the province, would allow people to seek justice in small claims court, reducing the legal costs needed to resolve instances where images were shared without consent.

Providing individual funding to

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children under six with autism spectrum disorder, investing about $2.8 million each year to offer $4,000 per year for each child.

Continuing to increase the

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number of organ donations in the province by expanding who is eligible for donations and consider moving to a presumed-consent model.

Creating a new provincial park

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in the Porcupine Hills southeast of Hudson Bay.

Creating a process to improve

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public access to decisions made by the Rentalsman’s Office, so tenants and landlords can be more aware of their rights.