Congratulations!

By now, the announcement of a new regional hospital for Swift Current is old news but it’s still very good news!  Congratulations to the 6000 people who signed petitions (of which I had the honour of presenting in the Legislative Assembly), the volunteers who organized the petition drive, local RM’s and communities, the City of Swift Current, the various health boards, the Dr. Noble Irwin Health Care Foundation and everyone who expressed their support.  And certainly the provincial government and Health Minister John Nilson deserve congratulations for making the right decision.

The government’s recent announcement was the approval of $500,000 for the planning phase of a new hospital.  They have also committed to their share of the capital funding of approximately $16 million.  I will continue to ask questions in the Legislature to ensure that this money has not only been ‘committed’ but is also budgeted and I will provide you with any updates on the situation.  Hopefully the project can get underway as soon as possible. 

Under the “B” for Boondoggle

That was a headline in a recent edition of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix about the latest scandal besetting the NDP government.  The Opposition revealed this week that the provincial government lost $6.2 million in taxpayers’ money in an ill-fated scheme to bring ‘mega-bingo’ or linked bingo to Saskatchewan.

Perhaps even more alarming than the $6.2 million loss were admissions by the Minister in charge that there was no business plan in place and no cabinet approval for the expenditure of tax dollars.  As if nothing at all had been learned by the Spudco scandal involving a $28 million loss in potatoes and a six-year cover-up by the government, the ‘mega-bingo’ story only came to light because the Opposition raised it.

Another Money Loser – Outside Saskatchewan???

We also learned this week that the NDP government continues to pour millions of taxpayers’ dollars into a money-losing insurance company in Ontario.  SGI Canada bought Coachman Insurance in 2001 for $8.2 million, which then went on to lose $11 million in 2002.  Now SGI is investing another $9.4 million in Coachman.  SGI had a net loss of $8 million last year, and in fact, would have actually made money on its Saskatchewan investments if not for the $11 million loss in Ontario!  As a result, SGI cannot make a contribution this year to the general government funds.  This is just the latest example of why our crown corporations should focus on providing core services to the people of Saskatchewan and not gambling taxpayers’ money around the globe.

Doing the Right Thing…Before You Get Caught

A media story recently revealed a very serious situation involving a senior civil servant in the NDP government who had been investigated by the Public Service Commission for the sexual harassment of six female employees.  One woman also made a complaint to the RCMP.

What happened to him?  Well, the government suspended him (although he retained his government cell phone and government car), and then arranged a transfer to another government job as a senior advisor at the same pay of roughly $85,000 a year.  After the story appeared in the media and after two days of questioning in the Legislature, the government finally fired him.  The government claims to have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment but in this case their actions speak louder than their words.

Women’s groups called for the Minister responsible to be fired.  And many Saskatchewan residents wondered if the government would have done the right thing if it had not been caught.

 If You Had the Opportunity to Question a Cabinet Minister….

Do you have questions or concerns you would like to put to a cabinet minister?  That’s part of the job I signed on for and I would be happy to try to get answers to your questions.  Please contact me with any questions you may have of the provincial government.

Our constituency office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm in #3 of the Carmel Mall.  Our telephone number is 778-2429 while our fax line is 778-3614. 

*Please call us in advance if you would like to book an appointment.*

My email address is bradwall@sasktel.net  Our website is www.bradwall.com