The Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly got underway this week, the first sitting since the provincial election. 

MLA for Moose Jaw North, Tim McLeod, is taking part in his very first session as a first-time MLA. 

He explained what he’s hoping to get out of the next couple of weeks. 

“It's a very steep learning curve for sure, so trying to soak in as much as I can as quickly as I can and learn from some of the more experienced members in the house,” McLeod said. 

Greg Lawrence is sworn-in as the MLA for Moose Jaw-Wakamow. (Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Party Caucus)Greg Lawrence, MLA for Moose Jaw-Wakamow, will be no stranger at the legislative buildings. Lawrence was first elected as MLA in 2011 and won re-election in 2016 and 2020. 

Lawrence explained some of the priorities this government will be looking at. 

“We’re talking about the 10 per cent cut to our SaskPower bill, helping our seniors out by reducing the ambulance charges and then helping out the whole city of Moose Jaw with the Community Rink Affordability Grant bring brought back,” Lawrence said. 

The government announced on Wednesday that ambulance fees will be reduced from $275 per trip to $135 per trip. There will also be no costs to seniors for transfers between health care facilities. The transfers will be covered under the Senior Citizen’s Ambulance Assistance Program. The benefits kick in on Dec. 14. 

The Community Rink Affordability Grant will give $2,500 per ice surface per year to keep community rinks viable. 

The program is expected to support 635 rinks in 373 communities. 

One of the main topics heading into this session is the COVID-19 pandemic, once has already gotten attention during Question Period. 

The first session of the Legislative Assembly is expected to last two weeks.