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Saskatchewan

Photo radar for construction zones coming to Sask.

Photo radar, new legislation regulating trade unions and education savings grants are some of the measures included in today's speech from the throne.

Ben Diprose on photo radar

12 years ago
Duration 1:30
Ben Dipros, fiance of killed flag person Ashley Dawn Richards, talks about plans for photo radar in Saskatchewan.

Photo radar, new legislation regulating trade unions and education savings grants are some of the measures included in today's speech from the throne.

The speech being read by Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield starting at 2 p.m. sets out the Saskatchewan Party government's priorities for the legislative session that began Thursday.

It contains a number of items Premier Brad Wall previewed in his planning for growth speech to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce last week, including the creation of SaskBuilds, a new agency concerned with building the province's infrastructure.

The Saskatchewan government plans to introduce photo radar to catch drivers speeding through 'Orange Zones.' (RCMP)

Also in the speech is the previously announced plan to reduce the business tax rate to 10 per cent from 12 per cent.

What's new is the planned introduction of photo radar to catch drivers speeding through construction zones.

Several Saskatchewan communities use red light cameras, but not photo radar.

The proposed change follows thedeath of an 18-year-old woman, working as a flag person, who was killed on the highway near Midale in August.

Ashley Dawn Richards had recently moved to Saskatchewan from Lakeside, N.B., to start a family with Ben Diprose.

Diprose was working nearby with a paving crew and saw her get hit.

On Thursday, at the legislature in Regina, Diprose said he welcomed the plan for improved road safety measures.

"It means quite a bit," he said. "Because I wouldn't want anyone else to go through the same thing that I went through."

The government also said it will triple the penalties for speeding though so-called Orange Zones.

Labour laws also on the agenda

The throne speech also deals with what could be the next phase of labour law changes.

This fall, the government plans to introduce the "Saskatchewan Employment Act" which it says will support economic growth by outlining the rights and responsibilities of employers, employees and unions in the workplace.

The government's plan to overhaul labour laws generated considerable public debate earlier this year. Particularly controversial was a question on a consultation paper asking people if the government should make union dues voluntary in some circumstances.

The government also plans to introduce apreviously announcedgrant program to help parents save for their children's post-secondary education.

The grant will be worth up to $250 per year per child.