As I travel around the constituency I am constantly encouraged by how our communities are moving forward. Towns and villages are adding new subdivisions and developing new lots in order to meet the demand for more housing. This is certainly positive news as it means more families in the area, meaning more people supporting our business community and heaven forbid more students in our schools.

The optimism we see in our constituency is certainly evident across our province. We are truly a land full of opportunity. Saskatchewan has the hottest job market in Canada. The number of enquiries for job and investment opportunities continues to grow. People from all across Canada are looking at Saskatchewan as a place to move to and invest in.

Saskatchewan’s oil and gas industry continues to be one of the major drivers of our province’s economic engine. Case in point; land sale records for February, Crown petroleum and natural gas rights generated an amazing $197 million for the province. That is double the old record set in 1994 and brings the total amount generated for the 2007-08 fiscal year to $419 million, which is again more than double the $202 million record set in 1994-95.

While we tend to get caught up in the oil and petroleum sales, let us not forget the work of small town Saskatchewan residents. I recently attended the launch of Bet’r Bait in Montmartre. Bet’r Bait is an easy to use syringe filled with a non-toxic formula that attracts mice. This product was designed by Norman Englot and Kevin Shiplack and their families. We all know what a nuisance mice can be and this product is designed to make it easier to attract and dispose of these unwanted rodents. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to the Englots and Shiplacks as their Bet’r Bait product hits the shelves of retail outlets.

This past week we also had Crop Insurance announce higher protection levels for Saskatchewan crops. Given the current returns and higher input costs, these higher protection levels are more than welcome news as producers make final preparations to plant this year’s crop.

Announcements were also made regarding further support for the livestock sector. Unfortunately most of the support continues to come in the form of a cash advance. While cash advances are welcomed, they do not address the low prices currently experienced in the pork and beef industry. I believe we must continue to work on a better mechanism to stabilize prices in the livestock sector.

If you have any concerns, please call my office at 435-3329; 1-888-255-8684 or visit my web site www.dontoth.ca.