Saskatchewan throne speech highlights

Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov Vaughn Schofield takes her seat in the legislative assembly for the speech from the throne at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Some highlights from the Saskatchewan throne speech delivered Tuesday, which largely reiterates Saskatchewan Party promises from the recent election campaign:

-- Changing Crown protection legislation so that 40 government-owned liquor stores can be sold and 12 new private stores created.

-- $70 million more over three years for fixing highways.

-- An all-party legislative committee will be asked to look at ways to increase the rate of organ donations.

-- The upcoming budget will mark the beginning of a government-wide exercise of transformational change to improve service and save money.

-- A new tax incentive for businesses who come up with patents for new products that create jobs and investment.

-- Allowing seniors with household incomes under $70,000 to defer the education part of their property taxes.

-- Expanding a robotics telemedicine pilot program that lets doctors connect with a patient remotely in the north.

-- Extending leave to 28 weeks from eight for people caring for family members near the end of their lives.