Below you'll find MLA Tim McLeod and MLA Megan Patterson's Report from the Legislature for August 8, 2025.
The views expressed below are solely the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Golden West.
August has arrived and so has Saskatchewan’s beautiful summer days. Our government has doubled the Active Families Benefit tax credit to help keep these activities more affordable. Families are eligible to claim up to $400 per child when the gross household income is $120,000 or less. Parents who enroll their children in sport, culture and recreation activities in the 2025 calendar year are reminded to keep their receipts so they may claim the benefit when they file their taxes for 2025. We hope you and your family enjoy active time together this year.
Did you know, over 250,000 Saskatchewanians enjoyed our regional parks last year? Saskatchewan's Regional Parks can now access funding to create new seasonal campsites through a $1 million investment from the provincial government. This means up to 200 campsites around our province are eligible for improvements.
Saskatchewan continues to demonstrate financial stability by maintaining the highest credit rating among the provinces when the ratings from all three major agencies are considered. Moody's Investors Service, Morningstar DBRS (MDBRS) and S&P Global recently affirmed their credit ratings for Saskatchewan, with MDBRS maintaining its AA (low) rating, Moody's maintaining its Aa1 rating and S&P affirming its AA rating. All agencies assigned a stable outlook, reflecting continued confidence in Saskatchewan's fiscal management.
Statistics Canada shows Saskatchewan's retail trade remains strong with a 6.4 per cent increase year-over-year in May 2025 over May 2024 (seasonally adjusted). This places the province above the national average of 4.9 per cent and tied for second amongst the provinces. The continued growth in our retail sector reflects our province's strong economy and is leading to more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people. When the province's economy is strong, our residents get better access to the programs and services they need. The total value of Saskatchewan's retail trade reached $2.3 billion in May 2025.
Recently, Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison announced $560,000 to fund union-led construction electrician apprenticeship training. Support for Saskatchewan's trades is paramount to our government. We want to ensure Saskatchewan workers are first in line for the jobs being created in our province. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) will use the funding to purchase equipment for the training program, scheduled to begin in Regina this fall. Work is also underway to expand the program in Saskatoon. The partnership between our provincial government and IBEW will allow more Saskatchewan people, both members and non-members of IBEW, the opportunity to participate in the training program.
As promised, $1 million will be provided to Food Banks of Saskatchewan this month. The Ministry of Social Services will work with Food Banks of Saskatchewan to allocate funding to agencies based on the population and average food bank usage of the communities they serve.
Our government has begun more than $53 million of highway investments this year in the southwest and area that keep Saskatchewan's export-based economy moving. Our road network is a key link in getting Saskatchewan goods and products throughout the province, across Canada and around the world to support our economy and maintain our quality of life. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all motorists during road construction. Drivers are reminded to be cautious, alert and obey all signage and flag persons when approaching work zones as highway crews and contractors do this important work. We want everyone to get home safely.
On August 1st, the Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act came into force. This new legislation promotes safety in public urban spaces by regulating the possession, transportation and storage of items that may be used as street weapons, such as knives, hypodermic needles, machetes and bear spray, as well as dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl. These rules will apply in municipalities and First Nations that choose to opt in to the new Act.
Positive improvements continue to grow in health care human resources in our province. Nearly 17,500 nurses were licensed to work in Saskatchewan in 2024, with 1,411 nurses per 100,000 population, the highest per capita supply among all Western Canadian provinces, and higher than the Canadian average of 1,207. Last year, Saskatchewan had the highest per 100,000 population of Registered Nurses (1,009) and Nurse Practitioners (23) and the second highest for Licensed Practical Nurses (315) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (64) in Western Canada.
Crop reporting from the past two weeks has shown rapid development due to warm temperatures and dry conditions in many areas across the province. Early seeded crops are nearing maturity in many areas, and rain would likely not benefit these crops at this stage. Producers are still hoping for rain to help with grain fill in later-seeded crops. Despite significant rainfall in a few areas of the province, dry conditions were widespread this week which caused overall topsoil moisture levels to fall from last week.
For more information or assistance, please feel free to reach out to our constituency offices.