Report From The Legislature

2 September 2010

Hon. Don Toth, MLA
Moosomin Constituency

The most recent wet weather continues to play havoc with harvest operations across this province. Not only have the unprecedented weather conditions created problems for the agriculture and construction communities, it has also had an impact on the provincial economy.

According to the recently released First Quarter Financial Report, compensation for wide-spread flood damage increased this year’s expenses by at least $161.7 million. The good news is that these unexpected costs will be offset by increased revenue of $194.9 million mainly due to higher-than-budgeted Crown land sales as the result of increased interest in Saskatchewan’s oil industry. The bottom line is the provincial government’s 2010-11 budget remains on track despite some of the worst summer weather our province has ever seen.

For a number of years now surgical wait times have been an irritant for patients and a concern for governments. Over the years governments have tried different methods of addressing this need. Recently the provincial government announced that certain procedures will be provided by a private surgical centre in Regina.

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region has started booking patients for dental surgery and knee arthroscopy procedures at Omni Surgery Centre. These procedures will be publicly provided and publicly funded, so patients will not be required to pay for services and no one will be allowed to jump the queue. This will also free operating room time in our hospitals for more complex day and in-patient surgeries. I trust these additional services will indeed accomplish the goal of reducing surgical wait times for Saskatchewan residents.

If you have any concerns, please call my office at 435-3329 or 1-888-255-8684 or just Contact Don.

Past Legislative Reports