Fall Legislative Session Stands Up for Saskatchewan People
The Fall Legislative Session came to a close this past week. Important legislation was moved forward in standing up for Saskatchewan people.
One of the most notable bills which was introduced – and later passed – during the fall session is the Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Amendment Act. This is based on the Prairie Resilience policy of our government, designed to work with industry sectors to reduce carbon emissions without devastating the economy. It is a meaningful policy to reduce emissions without imposing a tax that will reduce jobs in Saskatchewan while doing nothing to reduce global emissions. Prairie Resilience is not only designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions but also to prepare for changing climate conditions, and protect people and communities through resilience and readiness.
Interpersonal and sexual violence is a tragedy that is unacceptable and should never happen. The Government of Saskatchewan is focused on reducing and preventing domestic violence through ongoing collaboration with provincial partners and other ministries. An important step was becoming the first province in Canada to introduce legislation that allows police to release information about someone’s violent or abusive past to intimate partners who may be at risk. The Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act will provide greater protection for individuals at risk of intimate partner violence. Major life events have a big impact on families, whether joyous like the birth a new child, or difficult like caring for an ill loved one or being affected by interpersonal violence. An amendment to The Saskatchewan Employment Act will make changes to some job-protected leaves to make these circumstances more manageable for individuals and families. Parental leave will expand from 37 weeks to 63 weeks and both adoption and maternity leave will expand to 19 weeks. New critically ill adult leave will offer 17 weeks for workers to care for critically ill adult family members. Additionally, the 10 days of interpersonal violence leave will be expanded to include survivors of all forms of sexual violence. The time can be used to seek medical or legal help, access support services, or to relocate to a safe space.
Proposed legislation will make amendments to The Trespass to Property Act, The Snowmobile Act, and The Wildlife Act, 1998, to better balance the rights of rural land owners and members of the public. The results of an online questionnaire indicated that 65 per cent of respondents were in favour of requiring those who wish to access rural land to gain prior permission beforehand. The legislation provides legal protection to land owners and occupiers against property damage and the risk of agricultural diseases, and limits any liability that may arise from a trespasser’s presence on their property.
The Legislative Session makes for full and long days, leaving Moose Jaw before 7:30 a.m. most days. When scheduled for the late sitting until 10:30 p.m., arriving home is after 11:00 p.m. The work, however, is rewarding as I am involved in seeing important legislation move forward to better the lives of the people of Saskatchewan. Now that the fall session has concluded, I welcome the weeks ahead spending time in the constituency. I enjoy the part of being your MLA when I can interact with you. Please feel free to call the office or stop in. We are located at 326-B High St. W. and can be reached by phone at 306-692-8884.