Politics with Murray Mandryk
martensville messenger - marCH 9 , 2017 - Page 11
Provincial
Politics with Murray Mandryk
government Cuts must Be Fair
If the Saskatchewan Party government is going to ask us all to make sacrifices in the March 22nd budget , it needs to do two things . It needs to tell us in the best and most up-to-date manner as possible where we stand financially , and it also needs to make sure the pain is spread out as evenly as possible . Admittedly , we are still a couple of weeks away from that budget , so we don ’ t know how far or unfair any cuts or tax hikes may be .
One also has to be fair and recognize that a government is pretty limited in what it can tell us about an upcoming budget . However , the government can be clear about the details of finances to date and it can be consistent in how it treats everyone who will be saddled with the costs . Sadly , there isn ’ t much to suggest that Premier Brad Wall ’ s Saskatchewan Party government is fully taking these two needs into consideration . While the government clearly can ’ t yet tell us what is in the 2017-18 budget until it releases the document on March 22nd , it can be as frank and open as possible about 2016-17 . In fact , because this year ’ s budget ’ s $ 1.2-billion deficit is dictating the need for austerity in next year ’ s budget , it ’ s especially important we have the most upto-date information on the 2016-17 budget . For reasons that can only be described as puzzling , Finance Minister Kevin Doherty is not releasing the third-quarter update ( the budget estimates ) of 2016- 17 budget until the day of the 2017-18 budget . Ostensibly , Doherty is telling us the numbers “ just aren ’ t ready ” which is largely because it ’ s now more complicated to accumulate numbers because they now also include the Crown corporations . Moreover , Doherty said it ’ s too much trouble for the Finance Ministry to put a third quarter report and prepare a budget . However , given that we have had third quarter reports in the past , well before the release of next year ’ s budget in the spring , Doherty ’ s reasoning doesn ’ t make sense .
Sure , not seeing the third-quarter numbers now is not the biggest deal . After all , Wall has already updated us on the 2016-17 budget deficits he now said would be $ 1.2-billion . However , if the government can tell you that it has now calculated a $ 1.2-billion deficit , three times what it initially announced at the budget ; surely it can show us the numbers that demonstrate how it arrived at its calculations . It ’ s all in the name of fairness and fairness should especially apply to those in the public sector facing job loss . If there is going to be job loss , the rest of us should certainly be expected to do our share . Logic would thus dictate that this means more than doing without the public services that those losing their jobs would have provided . Any sense of fairness in a time of austerity would also
MLA Report From Nancy Heppner saskatchewan most attractive Place in World to invest in mining
Last week Saskatchewan was named the world ’ s most attractive place to invest in mining , according to the latest survey of global mining companies . Sensible regulations and tax rates lifted our province to the top . While Saskatchewan secured top spot as the most attractive place to invest in mining , the survey found that after announcing a new carbon tax , “ unattractive policies ” and “ regulatory overlap ” have sent Alberta ’ s once favourable ranking plummeting from 7th in 2015 to 47th in 2016 .
We will work hard to protect the Saskatchewan Advantage and continue to stand up for the province that has attracted investment from all over the world , creating jobs and opportunities . economy showing Positive signs
While the slowdown in the resource sector has impacted government revenues for nearly three years , oil prices are starting to rebound , and there are signs that mining in Saskatchewan is starting to recover , even though challenges remain .
There are positive signs of confidence in our province ’ s resilient and increasingly diversified economy . Both manufacturing and retail sales in Saskatchewan are up and leading the nation . And , for the first time in the province ’ s history , average weekly earnings were above $ 1,000 in December .
While there is light on the horizon , commodity prices are expected to remain lower for longer and that hurts the government ’ s bottom line .
government Committed to meeting Fiscal Challenges
This fiscal year , non-renewable resource revenues are down about $ 1.2 billion from 2014 levels .
Weak resource revenues combined with higher than expected crop insurance payments and spending pressure in several ministries have eroded our financial position .
Some of that spending pressure arising from our growing population . Saskatchewan has grown by nearly 65,000 people since 2011 and by 130,000 since 2006 . have to include some tax hikes . After all , we have all benefitted from tax breaks . Isn ’ t it only right that we all suffer when we can no longer afford them ? In addition , fairness must be evenly applied to all losing their jobs . For example , there are 12 CEOs and 62 vice-presidents in the province ’ s 12 health regions that stand to lose their jobs as the Sask . Party government moves to eliminate the boards . The number of CEOs and VPs that will lose their jobs is unknown , but we will be shelling out millions of dollars in severance . That is because these individuals have signed employment contracts that , legally , have to be honored . In that vein , the government also must honor the contracts of those dismissed unionized workers . That will mean even bigger severance payouts and less chance of balancing the budget this year . However , it is also the fair thing to do .
Despite our government ’ s efforts to save money , which include reduced travel and a freeze on non-essential hiring , our deficit has grown to an estimated $ 1.2 billion .
This situation has prompted some in Saskatchewan , including our opposition to ask the question : " where did all the money go ?" The short answer is , it went back to Saskatchewan people .
• $ 6 billion in tax relief ;
• $ 20 billion in infrastructure investment ; and
• $ 2.2 billion to reduce the operating debt of the province . Our government inherited a massive infrastructure deficit that needed to be addressed . Together we are building new schools , hospitals and long-term care homes . Many more communities have received repairs and upgrades , improved highways and vital infrastructure we all count on .
In addition , Saskatchewan people have benefited from reductions in property taxes , small business taxes , and income taxes .
Municipalities have received a 177 % increase in revenue sharing – over $ 1.9 billion – which they have used to deliver better services .
The provincial operating debt has also been reduced by 32 % from 2007 , saving millions of dollars in annual debt serving costs .
These investments have helped create the economic strength that has kept Saskatchewan ’ s unemployment rate below the national average , with 60,000 more people working in the province today than in 2007 .
At a time when other governments are attempting to rationalize permanent deficits , our government is taking a different approach . We will deal with our revenue challenges today and the process won ’ t be pain-free .
Difficult decisions need to be made . As we make those decisions , we will be careful not to shock the economy just as it is recovering . We will also work to ensure that we don ’ t diminish the public services that provide quality of life in Saskatchewan .
Fortunately , we are better positioned today to deal with difficulties . Our economy is more resilient , diversified and stronger than ever . Working together with optimism and determination , we will meet the current fiscal challenge and strengthen the province for years to come .
Letter to the Editor
The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication . Letters must be signed and a phone number and / or email address included so the writer ’ s identity can be verified . ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger . We reserve the right to edit letters for length , clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste . Submit your letter to ssealey @ martensvillemessenger . ca or jottenbreit @ martensvillemessenger . ca or drop by the Martensville Messenger office at Bay # 7 - 301 Centennial Drive North .