The Speech from the Throne, held on Monday to open the second session of the 25th Legislature, was very much "more of the same" promises from the NDP that will not be followed through on, said Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Brenda Bakken Lackey.

The Sask. Party MLA was not impressed with the speech, pointing out the province has seen a loss of jobs while in the midst of an oil boom and excess revenues from the high price of oil.

Of particular concern to the southeast area, she said, is the lack of any kind of help for the agricultural sector.

"A serious concern for our area especially is there's no understanding of agriculture. They don't seem to have a clue about the serious situation on the farm and the impact that has on every small town - and it's starting to show up in the cities," said Bakken Lackey.

For the government's part, the key to the Throne Speech is the future for the province.

"It is the goal of this government to have the children of our centennial grow up leading healthy, active lives and benefitting from high quality education. We want them to live and grow and reach adulthood proud of, and involved in, their communities, proud of this province and its diversity, and proud to be full participants in Saskatchewan's prosperity," said Premier Lorne Calvert.

Key highlights include the promise to act on the recommendations of the Business Tax Review Committee, pursue more investment in heavy oil upgrading, setting up an Asia-Pacific desk to pursue opportunities in Asia, and the "Energy Share" program announced on Wednesday, where natural gas rates will be increased by 10 per cent for residential and 11 per cent for business.

There will also be support for midwifery services, developing a pandemic plan along with the other provinces and federal government, establish a pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds, and provide additional funding of $30 million over three years for staffing of community-based organizations.

Bakken Lackey noted there was a commitment to building an all-weather road in the northern part of the province, but pointed out that in the midst of the oil-rich southeast area, which is contributing much of the excess revenues to government coffers right now, Highway 35 is gravelled at the entrance from the United States.

"We have Highway 35 entering Canada from the U.S., and it's a gravel road, and they're going to continue to leave it that way. The plan to improve Highway 35 is over five years. It's in the middle of the oil-rich part of the province, and this is what we get, a gravel road," she commented.

There are other issues that also need addressing, the MLA pointed out, such as cutting or removing the corporate tax to encourage more investment in this province, which would in turn create more jobs.

"They think they have to be the engine of the economy. And then the children of the centennial - it's a farce. We continue to see our children leave our province in droves, and nothing has changed in their way of thinking. If they think they're going to keep the children of tomorrow here, they're wrong," said Bakken Lackey.

A part of the speech was devoted to the new "Energy Share" program that was announced last Wednesday, which will not go with the 27 per cent hike as recommended by the rate review panel, or the 41 per cent hike that SaskEnergy asked for, but with a 10 per cent raise for residential users, and 11 per cent for businesses.

A concern Bakken Lackey has with the program are the huge revenues being brought in by the high price of oil, which should have cancelled any increase outright for the people of the province.

"This is another tactic they use. You tell the public there is going to be a huge increase, and then you only give them a portion of that increase, and expect the public to say 'thank you'," said the MLA, adding the government is just "moving the money around" and taxpayers will pay in the end.

Another concern is that there is nothing in the plan for those who buy natural gas from a supplier other than SaskEnergy. Many municipalities and school boards buy their gas from CEG.

"A lot of community facilities have been struggling for years. We have been continually calling on the government to address this problem. By addressing this, it would help everyone in the province, because everyone uses community facilities," said the MLA, noting one community recently called her office to say that they would have to close their community hall due to the rising costs of utilities.

According to the government, SaskEnergy's cost to buy natural gas is $10.88 per gigajoule, but the rate set by the province will be $7.95 per gigajoule, from Nov. 1 until March 31, 2006. The government estimates this lower rate will save residential customers about $254 over those five months, $327 for the average farm user, and $971 for the average business user.

"We are able to provide this assistance because we own our Crown corporations and because we can afford the costs due to a higher-than-anticipated budget surplus. Saskatchewan people deserve to benefit from that surplus, and this is one way we are doing that," said Premier Calvert in a statement.