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The Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service was established in 1945 by the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) government. The service was introduced to provide rapid transportation in medical emergencies for a province with poor roads, severe weather conditions, few hospitals outside Regina and Saskatoon and almost no rural airfields at the time. In November 1945, a Norseman aircraft was purchased, licensed and fitted for basic medical needs. The Service established a base in Regina and assembled a crew consisting of a pilot, aircraft engineer and flight nurse. The inaugural flight occurred on February 3, 1946, when a diabetic female patient was transported from Liberty to Regina. The pilot landed the aircraft 100 yards from the patient's home and had to take off in moderately deep snow.

The increased demand for the Air Ambulance Service in the 1940's and 1950's resulted in additional aircraft and personnel. In 1950 a second base was established in Saskatoon to serve northern residents more effectively. On September 25, 1958, the Service carried its 10,000th patient. A decline in the demand for the Service began in the 1970's due to better road conditions, an improved road ambulance system and the establishment of more medical centers throughout the province.

A review and update of the Service in the early 1990's led to a major upgrading of medical equipment, the development of new medical and nursing protocols and the provision of an aeromedical training program for pilots and attending staff. In 1993 paramedics became part of the critical care team. As of 2005, the Service, known as Lifeguard, was based in Saskatoon with a backup aircraft stationed in Regina. Lifeguard remains the oldest non-military air ambulance program in the world.

The Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service was administered by the Department of Public Health from 1945 until September 1, 1966, when responsibility for staff, aircraft and equipment was transferred to the Department of Public Works. The Department of Public Health negotiated the level of service with Public Works and continued to handle the daily administration. In 1993, responsibility for staffing and training was assumed by St. Paul's Hospital, an affiliate of Saskatoon Health District. Saskatchewan Health continued to fund the program and Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (SPMC) maintained the aircraft. This arrangement between Saskatchewan Health and Saskatchewan Property Management remains in place as of 2005.

In 1905, the province of Saskatchewan was created. The Department of Public Works, created in 1897 under the territorial government, was continued under the new provincial government. By 1906, the department had eleven branches, including the Local Improvement Branch.

In 1905, most of the settled land in Saskatchewan was organized into Local Improvement Districts (LID). Smaller local improvement districts were governed by a regularly elected council of approximately four members, each of whom represented a division of the district. The council appointed a secretary-treasurer to assess and collect taxes for the district and forward the monies to the Local Improvement Branch. In large local improvement districts, taxes were assessed and collected directly by the Branch. Branch personnel assisted in the organization of villages and small local improvement districts; received and issued receipts; accounted for payments in their records; and issued tax certificates.

On November 1, 1908, the newly created Department of Municipal Affairs assumed all of the functions performed by the Local Improvement Branch of the Department of Public Works.

The general manager of Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SPC) was the chief executive officer of the corporation. Divisions and departments of the corporation reported to the general manager, who in turn reported to the board of directors.

A.L. (Albert) Cole served as acting general manager between late-1948 and early-1949 in the period of conversion of Saskatchewan Power Commission to Saskatchewan Power Corporation. J. W. (John) Tomlinson was appointed the first general manager of SPC in 1949. Tomlinson served as general manager until his resignation on November 30, 1954. Upon Tomlinson's resignation, chief engineer W.B. Clipsham served as acting general manager until September 1955, when David Cass-Beggs was appointed general manager. Cass-Beggs had worked for SPC as a special consultant since 1947. He served as general manager until mid-1964. Once again, W.B. Clipsham was appointed acting general manager until the appointment of D.B. (David) Furlong in March 1965.

Furlong held the position of general manager until his resignation in May 1970. R.R. (Richard) Keith was first appointed acting general manager upon Furlong's departure, and was later appointed general manager. He served as such until the appointment of F.G. (Fred) Ursel on March 1, 1976.

A major corporate reorganization in 1980 converted the general manager position into that of president. Ursel remained with SPC as president until 1981.

The Conservation Branch was established in the Department of Natural Resources in 1954. Overseen by a director, the branch originally consisted of three divisions: the Conservation Information Service; the Conservation Officers' Training School; and the Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History. The Conservation Information Service was responsible for publicity, visual aids, publications and extension services. The Service prepared information for news releases; produced the Northern News radio program on CKBI in Prince Albert; produced pamphlets and other publications; compiled a library of films and still photography; and presented information to school children and other interest groups. The Conservation Officers' Training School provided training for new field officers and offered refresher courses for veteran staff. The Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History was responsible for acquiring and exhibiting aspects of the province's natural history and educating the public in the areas of botany, zoology, archaeology, geology and paleontology.

The Conservation Branch was also responsible for conducting anthropological research into the Metis people of northern Saskatchewan; conducting geographical research on the development of renewable resources; developing guidelines on the disposition of Crown forest lands; and maintaining a central registry of all dispositions.

During the 1955-56 fiscal year, the Conservation Officers' Training School was transferred to the Administrative Services Branch. In 1955, the branch reassumed responsibility for the Historic Sites program, which involved locating, verifying and marking sites of historic significance in the province. The program was transferred to the Department of Travel and Information around 1957. During the 1956-1957 fiscal year, two new divisions were created. The Anthropological Research Division conducted research among northern Saskatchewan's Métis people to determine methods for improving their living conditions. The Lands Division surveyed the growth of the recreational use of provincial land and resources. During the 1958-59 fiscal year, the Anthropological Research Division was eliminated and the Lands Division was expanded into the Recreation Land Use Division, which was given a broader mandate to assist in the planning and design of recreational sites.

During the 1960-61 fiscal year, the Conservation Branch was reorganized into the Parks and Conservation Branch in response to the substantial increase in responsibilities assigned to the branch related to parks.

The Conservation Education Branch was established in the Department of Natural Resources during the 1952/53 fiscal year to streamline the department's public awareness activities. The new branch was created through an amalgamation of existing units, as follows: the Museum of Natural History, the Photographic Unit, the School Conservation Education lecture tour, and the Northern News radio program operating out of Prince Albert.

Headed by a director, the Conservation Education Branch originally consisted of three sections: Information and Education; Photographic; and Provincial Museum of Natural History. The Information and Education section was staffed by a senior information writer and a conservation officer, both based in Prince Albert. They were responsible for providing conservation education in schools; producing the Northern News radio program on CKBI; publishing a departmental newsletter; responding to information requests; creating and distributing various publications; and assisting the Bureau of Publications with news releases. The Photographic Section was responsible for producing images in various formats for documentary, educational and publicity purposes. The Museum of Natural History in Regina was responsible for acquiring and displaying specimens and encouraging public interest in zoology, botany, archaeology, paleontology and geology.

The Museum Section was elevated to full branch status during the 1953/54 fiscal year in order to allow the Conservation Education Branch to focus on its primary purpose, which was the preparation and distribution of information about the department's conservation programs. However the museum returned to the branch within the year.

During the 1954/55 fiscal year, the Conservation Education Branch was reorganized into the Conservation Branch.

During the 1960/61 fiscal year, the Conservation Branch of the Department of Natural Resources was reorganized into the Parks and Conservation Branch to accommodate the parks functions formerly performed by the Parks Branch of the Department of Travel and Information. Headed by a director who reported to the assistant deputy minister, the branch originally consisted of three divisions: the Park Planning Division; the Conservation Information Service; and the Saskatchewan Museum of Natural History.

The Park Planning Division was responsible for the planning of provincial parks, historic sites, Trans-Canada Highway camp and picnic sites, provincial highway campgrounds and rest sites. The division also acquired land for park development, maintained records of the disposition of land belonging to the department and administered the regional parks assistance program.

The Conservation Information Service was responsible for providing information and education services to departmental staff and the general public. The Service produced press releases, magazine articles and radio and television programs; maintained collections of photographs, slides, and moving images; erected exhibits; prepared and distributed publications; and answered requests for information.

The Museum of Natural History in Regina worked to generate interest in Saskatchewan's natural history. The museum conducted field work; operated exhibits, hosted guided tours and educational programs for children and disseminated information through publications, news releases, and radio and television programs.

The Regional Parks Division was added to the branch during the 1963/64 fiscal year to provide facility and layout design assistance.

On April 1, 1964, the Parks and Conservation Branch was restructured as part of a larger reorganization whereby the functions of the department were reorganized into three major sectors - Resource Programs, Recreational Programs and Northern Programs. The parks functions were transferred to several newly-created branches in the Resource Programs Sector while the Conservation Information Service became an independent branch outside of the major sectors called the Conservation Information Branch.

The Conservation Information Branch was established in the Department of Natural Resources during the 1964/65 fiscal year. Led by a director who reported directly to the deputy minister, the branch's original responsibilities included: preparing and distributing publications, including provincial park brochures and fish and game guides; preparing and distributing news releases and feature articles to the news media; producing television and radio programs, including "Northern News", a radio broadcast from Prince Albert to residents of northern areas six days a week; acquiring and lending audio-visual materials; conducting advertising campaigns; answering requests for information; and preparing and editing the departmental newsletter.

One of the branch's major publications was "The Resource Reader", which consisted of loose information sheets designed to be collected in a binder. It was distributed to field staff, students, teachers and the general public. The major subject areas covered included conservation, wildlife, fish, birds, reptiles, forestry, history and folklore, parks and recreation. The branch also produced "The Resource Report", a weekly compilation of news releases on departmental activities distributed to departmental personnel, the media and various interest groups.

During the 1968/69 fiscal year, the branch began operating a telephone information line in Regina. The "Resource Phone" supplied current information on hunting, fishing, skiing and park reports in season. Additional lines were later set up in Prince Albert and Saskatoon. During the 1970/71 fiscal year, a comprehensive manual governing the implementation of the Department's standard signing system was produced by the branch to accompany the signs that were installed throughout the province.

In 1972, The Conservation Information Branch was reorganized into the Extension Services Branch.

In 1972, the Department of Natural Resources underwent a major reorganization. The Conservation Information Branch; the Museum of Natural History; and the Hunter Safety Program were amalgamated to form the new Extension Services Branch. The branch's primary mandate was to educate the public on the management and utilization of Saskatchewan's renewable resources including fish, timber, and wildlife. The branch was managed by a director, who reported to the associate deputy minister.

The Conservation Information Service was responsible for public education and awareness. The division's activities included: preparing and distributing promotional materials and informational items, including pamphlets, guides, stickers, special publications and "The Resource Report", a weekly collection of press releases and articles featuring departmental activities; operating telephone information lines in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Prince Albert; organizing advertising campaigns; assisting with special events; and producing news programs for radio and television, including the "Northern News" radio program broadcast from Prince Albert to all northern areas.

The Museum of Natural History hosted visitors at its permanent facility in Regina; offered various public education programs; designed, created and installed interpretive displays in provincial parks, recreation areas and regional parks; conducted archaeological research; and administered the provincial historic sites program.

The Hunter Safety Program, formerly under the jurisdiction of the department's Wildlife Branch, offered training on the proper handling of firearms and ammunition, safe hunting practices, game identification and field survival. The program, taught by volunteer instructors and administered with the co-operation of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, was offered to schools, community groups, armed forced cadet leagues and other interested parties. The program's supervisors were located in Regina and Prince Albert.

In 1973, the Hunter Safety Program was renamed the Firearm Safety Program. The Extension Services Branch became responsible for standardizing the department's visual identity through the design, planning and production of displays, printed materials, signs, promotional items and advertising. The "Northern News" radio program was transferred to the newly established Department of Northern Saskatchewan and was produced from La Ronge. On April 1, 1974, the Department of Natural Resources and the Tourist Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce were amalgamated to form the Department of Tourism and Renewable Resources. The Extension Services Branch continued to operate in the new department with a modified structure and mandate.

The Information Services Branch of Executive Council was established around 1965. The branch office was located in the Legislative Building in Regina. Headed by a director, the branch's original functions included advertising; preparing and distributing news releases and assisting other government departments, agencies, and crown corporations in preparing news releases; providing photographic and art services; and providing audio-visual services.

Around 1974, responsibility for the Provincial Inquiry Centre was transferred to the Information Services Branch. The centre provided information and referrals to the public regarding all provincial government departments and agencies. The service was provided through toll-free telephone service to all Saskatchewan residents. The branch also assumed responsible for TWX teletypewriter communications. Around 1977, the branch was assigned responsibility for the government's visual identity program, which established standards and guidelines for presenting a high quality and consistent visual portrayal of the provincial government and it's programs and institutions. The stylized wheat sheaf became the basic symbol of the province's visual identity program.

In 1982, Photographic Art Services was transferred to the Department of Revenue, Supply and Services while the Provincial Inquiry Centre was transferred to the Provincial Secretary. By 1985, the branch's functions had been pared down to providing information and news release services only. In 1987, the branch was reorganized into the Information Services Division of the newly created Public Affairs Branch of Executive Council.

The Operations Division of the Department of Revenue, Supply and Services was managed by an executive director with directors/supervisors at the branch/agency level. The division originally consisted of eight branches and agencies as follows: Administration Branch; Central Vehicle Agency; Mail and Telecommunications Branch; Office Services Agency; Personnel and Training Branch; Purchasing Agency; Queen's Printer; and Supply Agency.

The primary responsibilities of the Operations Division included: supplying and maintaining ground and air vehicles; operating the Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Program; operating the mail and messenger service between government offices; providing central services in photocopying, duplicating and bindery; acquiring goods and services through the tender process and the disposal of surplus goods; operating a stockroom to supply common office supplies to government; and distributing acts and publications.

Around 1980, the Personnel and Training Branch and the Administration Branch were transferred to the department's Administrative Services Division. Around 1982, the Photographic Services Agency, which provided photography and darkroom services to government and maintained a complete photographic library, was transferred from Executive Council, Information Services Branch to the Operations Division.

In 1983, the Department of Revenue, Supply and Services was reorganized into two new departments: the Department of Revenue and Financial Services and the Department of Supply and Services. The functions of the Operations Division were assumed by the Commercial Services Division of the new Department of Supply and Services.