News-Optimist June 7

Page 1

MS Walk raises $11,000

8 Leg

Watch Budget leak bruhaha

5

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - PAGE 7

The provincial budget released Wednesday makes a hefty commitment to infrastructure. More than $3.5 billion has been set aside, touted by Doherty as “the largest single-year capital investment in the province’s history.” Nearly $1.8 billion will be invested by Saskatchewan’s commercial Crowns and more than $1.7 billion by executive government ministries and agencies. For the first time in history, the government’s investment into highways and transportation infrastructure will top $1 billion this year. More than 1,300 kilometres of highways will be repaired or upgraded this year including many rural highways. A number of 2016-17 projects include: $13.5 million for the interchanges at Warman and Martensville; · $12.3 million for Highway 55 improvements; $8.9 million for twinning on Highway 7 from Saskatoon to Delisle; $8.1 million for twinning Highway 39 from Estevan to Bienfait; and $1.3 million for continued planning for Highway 6 and 39 twinning and passing lanes

Sask. Party to implement ‘transformational change’

from Regina to Estevan. Work continues on the Regina Bypass, construction will begin on new overpasses in Warman and Martensville, and $10 million is set aside as the first year’s commitment towards the North Commuter Parkway Bridge project in Saskatoon. The budget provides more than $391 million to K to 12 schools and other education capital, up $143 million from last year. Of that, $26 million will go to advanced education and training, with an estimated $170 million to be provided to this sector over the next four years. Health care infrastructure remains a high priority and there is a $700 million investment commitment over four years. Construction will continue on major projects including the Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, and importantly to this region, the new Saskatchewan Hospital and integrated correctional facility in North Battleford. Construction commenced on the Sask. Hospital project last fall. — Cairns

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

As expected, Finance Minister Kevin Doherty’s budget was a launch pad for some major changes in the way the province delivers services. This budget will begin what he described as a “government-wide process of transformational change.” “Our goal is to ensure the sustainability of highquality government services delivered at the most sustainable and cost-effective manner as possible.” As part of this, according to the finance minister, the government plans to examine whether services or programs are the role of government, are being delivered in the best possible manner at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers, whether multiple programs could be combined into one that provides better results at less cost and whether a different governance model could pro-

Submitted

Sask. Chamber of Commerce

heightened level of concern and greater awareness of the province’s situation, and brought to the forefront the need for a clear recovery plan,” said Saskatchewan Chamber CEO Steve McLellan. “The government has used the phrase ‘transformational change’ in describing the current situation, and clearly businesses have considerable expertise in transforming themselves to meet the re-

alities of dynamic markets. The expertise and the commitment of Saskatchewan’s businesses will allow us, as a Chamber of Commerce, to bring the clear voice of assistance to the government during these challenging times,” McLellan added. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of 10,000 businesses across the province through the Chamber Network. The

Rodney Sternig - Licenced Denturist

• Satisfaction Guaranteed PROFESSIONAL DENTURE SERVICES Direct to the Public including Complete and Partial Dentures, Soft Liners, Relines, Repairs, Mouthguards and Denture over Implants

HOURS:

Monday - Thursday ~ 9 am - 5 pm Friday ~ 9 a.m - 3 pm

306-445-2322

1492 - 100th Street, North Battleford S9A 0W2

We’re committed to helping out where we can, and proud to support initiatives that make a difference in the community.

DS

NEE

Continued from Page 6 Another funding cut hits the Battlefords directly. Provincial funding totaling $540,000 for five urban parks – Wakamow in Moose Jaw, Chinook Parkway in Swift Current, Pehonan in Prince Albert, Tatagwa in Weyburn, and most importantly to the northwest region, River Valley in Battlefords — is being discontinued. Doherty explained the rationale behind the de-

Better Plan

Better Life...

NEW “Easy Living” Option Call Sharon for more details.

cision in his conference call. “Revenue sharing is intended to provide municipalities with the financial means to address their priorities,” said Doherty. “If municipal funding is to remain sustainable, certain supports need to be rationalized as we move forward with transformational change. “We believe the funding of municipal parks is best left for municipalities to prioritize,” Doherty said. — Cairns

AGING IN PLACE AT HARWOOD MANOR, a Licenced Personal Care Home!

11

Garden Chat Blue grass wars

8

6 Check us out online at

www.newsoptimist.ca

Harwood Manor

Ella Kemps Jessie Wang Shannon Englot Associate Insurance Advisor II Associate Insurance Advisor Associate Insurance Advisor

Janice Dawyduk Client Support

@BfordsNewsOpt

PHONE: 306-445-6990 FAX: 306-445-6995 Email: harwoodmanor@sasktel.net

PERSONAL CARE HOME

Merv Backstrom Charlie-Rae Bennett Associate Financial Advisor Associate Insurance Advisor

Christa Cardinal Associate Financial Advisor

Phone 306-445-7406 Fax 306-445-7782

07 7 6 5om

4

g.c

in mb

plu

.luk ww

w

The cuts

ter net income forecasts for nearly all commercial Crowns. Among the transformational changes mentioned in the budget is restructuring the way health regions are set up. In a news release, Health Minister Dustin Duncan announced a special commissioner will be appointed to recommend options for fewer health regions and more effective and efficient delivery of province-wide services. The name of the commissioner will be announced in the coming days.

BNS honoured for Project Forecheck

9800 Territorial Dr., North Battleford

s

-4 6 0 3

Joan Barbondy Financial Advisor

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

rd o f e tl

Bat e Th

mandate of the Saskatchewan Chamber is to make the province the best place to live, work and invest.

into the future and guard against too much dependence on oil and potash. “That includes a tax system that is competitive, simple and fair for all Saskatchewan taxpayers. Those would be the principles of any change to our tax system.” The decrease in total revenue is offset somewhat by higher own-source revenue, including expected net revenue of $148 million of agricultural land sales this fiscal year. Net income from government business enterprises is also up by about $180 million, largely due to bet-

Wilkie

Proud to support our community.

North Battleford

Easy access parking behind building

E

Kevin Doherty Finance Minister vide administrative savings while still remaining responsive to the needs of Saskatchewan people. In speaking to reporters, Doherty made clear “tranformational change” does not refer to selling off the Crowns such as SaskTel or SaskPower. Doherty added there will also be a deep look at Saskatchewan’s revenues. The province intends to look at its revenue sources to make sure government revenues are sustainable

Chamber calls for detailed plan to get out of deficit With the release of the 2016-2017 provincial budget, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has reiterated its messages to the premier and minister of finance — Saskatchewan needs a solid plan to get out of its deficit situation. “We are facing a different situation than we anticipated. This new deficit escalation has created a

A look at the provincial budget cuts and increases

Looking for cost effectiveness

Infrastructure highlights

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME We accept all dental insurance plans

E YON VER

Sports

Provincial Budget

Meadow Lake

News

Volume 108 No. 44

In the news this week

North Battleford, Sask.

Staff Last week’s provincial budget included a nasty surprise for the Battlefords’ River Valley organization. According to board member Ryan Bater, 50 per cent of the group’s

funding has come from the provincial government. Bater says capital projects planned for the summer are now in jeopardy and there is also concern about future ability to maintain the river valley trails.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

He says the river valley is important to everyone who lives in the area and says its maintenance and development is important as a tourism generator Bater criticized the government for maintaining funding to

similar organizations for this year — Meewasin in Saskatoon and Wascana in Regina — giving them a year to come to terms with the loss of funding. The board next meets June 13. Turn to Page 3 for more.

Family Fun Day

Sunday afternoon, the Church of Seventh-Day Adventists on 93rd Street was the scene for a Family Fun Day. The event was well attended and featured activities for the children, including rock climbing, a bouncy castle, games, darts and face painting, as well as a puppet show put on by kids. There was also popcorn which attracted a long lineup of hungry kids and their parents. Photo by John Cairns

I CM

TREE SERVICE

+ PLUS

Tree Removal

|

Firewood & Wood Chips

Stump Grinding

|

Tree Chipping

Shelter Belts

|

Right of Way Fence Lines

Sign Installation

|

Window Cleaning

CALL US TODAY 306•386•7259

60’ Boom Truck


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.