News Briefs - Sept 23 2024

Media Release

September 23, 2024

Upgrades to Fort Qu'Appelle Royal Canadian Legion Branch 35 showcase benefits of Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program

 Today, Last Mountain Touchwood MLA Travis Keisig, on behalf of Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross, joined representatives from Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command, the Saskatchewan Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) and local Legion Branch members to see first-hand the improvements made to the facility that were funded through the Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program.

Introduced in 2019-20, the program provides grants for repairs and upgrades, special events, operations, programs and activities to engage communities and advance the work of veterans' service organizations across the province.

"Branch 35 is one of many invaluable organizations in Saskatchewan doing important work to take care of our veterans and honour our local histories - while providing community access to essential facilities," Last Mountain Touchwood MLA Travis Keisig said on behalf of Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross. "The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to continue investing $1.5 million annually into the program which has helped strengthen the long-term sustainability of Saskatchewan veterans' service organizations."

In 2024-25, grants up to $30,000 were provided to 81 Legion branches, ANAVETS units, and other registered, non-profit veterans organizations across the province.

Saskatchewan leading the nation in building construction investment

Province Ranks Second in the Nation for Month-Over-Month Growth 

Today, Statistics Canada released figures that show Saskatchewan saw a 6.7 per cent increase year-over-year in building construction investment from July 2023 to July 2024 (seasonally adjusted), totaling $439 million. The province additionally saw a 3.6 per cent increase in month-over-month construction investment from June 2024 to July 2024, ranking second among the provinces for growth. 

"People and businesses continue to show their confidence in making long-term investments in Saskatchewan as the best place to build their futures," Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "The growth we are experiencing with building construction investments not only adds new jobs to our labour force, but also opportunities across many evolving sectors. All of this and more is what helps build strong and vibrant communities in Saskatchewan for the benefit of all who live and work here."

Investment in building construction is calculated based on the total spending value on building construction within the province.

Government of Saskatchewan introduces financial literacy course

 Starting in the 2024-25 school year, all Saskatchewan students entering Grade 10 will complete a new Financial Literacy 10 course as a requirement for graduation. The new Financial Literacy 10 curriculum will help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions and contribute to the sustainable long-term economic growth of Saskatchewan. 

"Financial literacy will create a lasting effect on our students' financial stability and independence," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "By teaching students the basics of financial literacy and financial responsibility through quality education, we are preparing the best possible outcomes for our students, in both their personal and professional lives."

SRC Rare Earth Processing Facility first to produce rare earth metals in North America

 The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is proud to announce that its Rare Earth Processing Facility located in Saskatoon is ahead of schedule and produced rare earth metals at a commercial scale in Summer 2024 – making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction to do so in North America.

 Using in-house developed, state-of-the-art, automated technology in metal smelting, SRC’s facility is ready to produce 10 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) metals per month, with purities greater than 99.5 per cent and conversions greater than 98 per cent. SRC is on track to upscale this production to 40 tonnes of rare earth metals per month by the end of December 2024. 

"Our government is proud to support SRC's Rare Earth Processing Facility, making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction in North America to produce these rare earth metals, further establishing a rare earth technological hub here in the province," Premier Scott Moe said. "This represents a significant opportunity for Saskatchewan to be a world leader in the area of critical mineral development by establishing a secure and sustainable rare earth supply chain."

Saskatchewan remains most affordable province in the nation

Province’s Low Cost of Living Spurring Economic Growth 

Today’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers show that Saskatchewan saw an increase of only 1.1 per cent for August 2024 compared to August 2023. This is the lowest year-over-year inflation increase among the provinces, well below the national average of 2.0 per cent.

The CPI measures changes in the price of goods and services over time. Inflation is indicated by the growth of CPI, which helps assess changes to the cost of living. An individuals ability to buy goods and services is affected by changes in income and prices.

Last week, Statistics Canada building permit figures showed Saskatchewan ranked second in the nation for both year-over-year and month-over-month growth, increasing in value by 47.5 per cent and 49.2 per cent, respectively. The provinces’ two biggest cities saw substantial year-over-year increases of 64.6 per cent in Regina and 131.4 per cent in Saskatoon. The total value of building permits represents the dollar value of construction permits for residential and non-residential buildings.

Province invests $1.3 million to improve facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities

 The Government of Saskatchewan is providing approximately $1.3 million in capital grant funding in 2024-25 to third-party service providers across the province to support the repair and renovation of program facilities that support people with intellectual disabilities.

"Investing in our community partners means that individuals with intellectual disabilities have access to safe, high-quality, and accessible facilities and services," Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said. "By ensuring their physical, emotional, and social needs are met, we can support individuals with intellectual disabilities to live as independently as possible."

Innovation Saskatchewan invests $400,000 in the Fedoruk Centre to advance nuclear research in Saskatchewan

Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $400,000 in the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation (Fedoruk Centre) to support and expand nuclear research in Saskatchewan.

The funding will support up to eight research projects led by Saskatchewan-based scientists through the Fedoruk Centre’s 2024 Call for Proposals. The projects will focus on areas of nuclear science, such as nuclear energy and nuclear medicine, with priority consideration for those linked to workforce development for the deployment of nuclear technologies in Saskatchewan. 

“This investment in the Fedoruk Centre will further strengthen and expand the province’s research capacity in nuclear innovation," Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said. "Our government will continue to make targeted investments that support the advancement of training opportunities for Saskatchewan researchers in nuclear science at our province’s world-class research institutions.”

Crop report for the period September 10 to 16, 2024

Many areas of the province received rainfall this past week which caused producers to briefly pause harvest. Harvest is currently 74 per cent complete, which is a 13 per cent increase from last week. Despite the rain slowing harvest progress, it is welcomed by producers in dry areas as it will improve soil moisture conditions.

The southwest region is in the final stage of harvest with 95 per cent of crops harvested. The southeast region currently has 77 per cent of crops harvested. Harvest is at the same stage in the east-central, west-central and northwest regions as 63 per cent of crops have been harvested. The northeast has passed the halfway point as 58 per cent of harvest is complete.

Nominations open for the 2025 Saskatchewan Order of Merit

 Nominations are officially open for the 2025 Saskatchewan Order of Merit. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Order. 

"This is the highest honour Saskatchewan bestows on citizens," Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty said. "Past recipients have made remarkable contributions to the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of our province and our people. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of this prestigious Order, I encourage everyone to consider nominating worthy individuals in your community." 

Celebrating Saskatchewan's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, mission and support staff

 Athletes, coaches and mission staff who proudly represented Saskatchewan at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, were recognized by the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport and Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan, at the Legislative Building today.  

"Both the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris were a success for our Saskatchewan contingent," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "Congratulations to all our athletes, coaches, mission and support staff for their contributions. As exemplary role models and ambassadors for this province, your hard work and commitment to sport and sportsmanship is deeply appreciated."

A total of 38 athletes, coaches, mission and support staff with Saskatchewan ties represented the province in Paris.