STANDING COMMITTEE ON

THE ECONOMY

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

MINUTE NO. 6

5:00 p.m. — māmawapiwin nαyati room (Room 8)

1.     Present: James Thorsteinson in the chair and members Noor Burki,* Hugh Gordon,* Tajinder Grewal, Sally Housser, Hon. Terry Jenson, Megan Patterson,* Darlene Rowden, Nathaniel Teed,* and Kevin Weedmark.

Substituting Members

Noor Burki for Kim Breckner (7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

Hugh Gordon for Kim Breckner (5:00 p.m. – 7:05 p.m.)

Megan Patterson for Hon. Terry Jenson (5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

Nathaniel Teed for Sally Housser (7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

2.     The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates and 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Highways.

The Minister of Highways and the following officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Hon. David Marit, Minister

Kyle Toffan, Deputy Minister

Wayne Gienow, Assistant Deputy Minister, Design and Construction

Tom Lees, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Planning, and Corporate Services

Bill Pacholka, Assistant Deputy Minister, Operation and Maintenance

David Munro, Director, Strategic Planning and Budgeting

3.     The committee adjourned consideration of the 2025–26 estimates and 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Highways.

4.      The committee recessed from 7:05 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

5.     The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates and 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.

The Minister of Immigration and Career Training and the following officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Hon. Jim Reiter, Minister

Drew Wilby, Deputy Minister

Christa Ross, Assistant Deputy Minister

Darcy Smycniuk, Assistant Deputy Minister

Shelley Armstrong, Executive Director, Immigration Services

Jennifer Clark, Executive Director, Career Services

6.     The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training. On motion of Darlene Rowden:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Immigration and Career Training — $152,376,000

7.     The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training. On motion of Kevin Weedmark:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Immigration and Career Training — $3,600,000

8.     The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture.

9.     The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture. On motion of the Hon. Terry Jenson:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Agriculture — $623,068,000

10. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Energy and Resources.

11. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Energy and Resources. On motion of Darlene Rowden:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Energy and Resources — $54,483,000

12. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Environment.

13. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Environment. On motion of Kevin Weedmark:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Environment — $273,700,000

14. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Highways.

15. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Highways. On motion of the Hon. Terry Jenson:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Highways — $777,417,000

16. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for Innovation Saskatchewan.

17. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for Innovation Saskatchewan. On motion of Darlene Rowden:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Innovation Saskatchewan — $32,537,000

18. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for Saskatchewan Research Council.

19. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for Saskatchewan Research Council. On motion of Kevin Weedmark:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Saskatchewan Research Council — $19,423,000

20. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Trade and Export Development.

21. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for the Ministry of Trade and Export Development. On motion of the Hon. Terry Jenson:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Trade and Export Development — $44,268,000

22. The committee considered the 2025–26 estimates for Water Security Agency.

23. The committee concluded consideration of the 2025–26 estimates for Water Security Agency. On motion of Darlene Rowden:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2026 the following sum:

For Water Security Agency — $99,407,000

24. The committee considered the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Agriculture.

25. The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Agriculture. On motion of Kevin Weedmark:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Agriculture — $93,125,000

26. The committee considered the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Energy and Resources.

27. The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Energy and Resources. On motion of the Hon. Terry Jenson:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Energy and Resources — $4,151,000

28. The committee considered the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Highways.

29. The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for the Ministry of Highways. On motion of Darlene Rowden:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Highways — $61,831,000

30. The committee considered the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for Innovation Saskatchewan.

31. The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for Innovation Saskatchewan. On motion of Kevin Weedmark:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Innovation Saskatchewan — $790,000

32. The committee considered the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for Saskatchewan Research Council.

33. The committee concluded consideration of the 2024–25 supplementary estimates no. 2 for Saskatchewan Research Council. On motion of the Hon. Terry Jenson:

Resolved, that there be granted to His Majesty for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 the following sum:

For Saskatchewan Research Council — $22,000,000

34. It was moved by Darlene Rowden:

That the first report of the Standing Committee on the Economy for the thirtieth legislature be adopted and presented to the Assembly.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

35. It was moved by Kevin Weedmark:

That this committee do now adjourn.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

36. The committee adjourned at 10:00 p.m. to the call of the Chair.

 

 

 

James Thorsteinson, Chair

Miranda Gudereit, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The electronic versions of the Legislative Assembly’s documents are provided on this site for informational purposes only. The Clerk is responsible for the records of each legislature.