Saskatchewan legislature to resume with throne speech, debates over affordability

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is set to address questions on affordability, health care and data centres when the legislature reconvenes on Tuesday. The session will kick off with a throne speech outlining the government's priorities for the term. Following the speech, the Opposition NDP will begin scrutinizing Moe's administration, focusing primarily on affordability.

Premier Moe's government recently lowered personal income taxes, but NDP house leader Nicole Sarauer argues that more needs to be done, such as eliminating the provincial sales tax on children's clothing and certain grocery items. Another major concern for the NDP is the state of Saskatchewan's health care system, with overcrowded hospitals, long wait times and a need for more primary care physicians.

Moe has promised to invest in health care, education and community safety during the throne speech. He has also pledged to address homelessness by adding addiction treatment spaces and increasing the police force. However, the NDP has criticized the government for a lack of consultation regarding a large-scale data facility, Bell Canada's $1.7-billion megaproject southeast of Regina.

The NDP calls for a moratorium on such large-scale data facilities, while the Moe government maintains the project is a significant investment that will create jobs and keep Canadian data within Canada.