Leader of the opposition, Carla Beck (NDP) toured Paper Excellence and met with the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce recently. (submitted photo)

By Susan McNeil

Politics and the economy

NDP says jobs, forestry and small business dominate PA discussion

Oct 21, 2022 | 4:31 PM

With the provincial legislature about to resume sitting on Wednesday, the official opposition has been touring the province, including Prince Albert, where they talked to businesses such as Paper Excellence.

Carla Beck, leader of the opposition and Aleana Young, critic for the economy, jobs and forestry, toured the mill and also went to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“We’ll be going into session next week and taking all of those conversations and what we’ve learned there into the Chamber to advocate on behalf of the people we’ve been talking to,” Beck said.

Young said the talk centred around responsible growth, which has been happening in the area. Not only is Paper Excellence working to re-open in Prince Albert, but a new OSB mill is under construction. The mills at Big River and Carrot River also saw increases in their annual timber cuts.

“One of the things we heard is the importance of industry and good stable jobs in the community. Not just for the development but good, responsible stewardship of the forest, which of course we support,” said Young.

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How timber is cut, and to make sure it is done in a way that stands the test of time while still boosting the economy, were key messages.

“Good development and stewardship of our natural resources in Saskatchewan to the benefit of Saskatchewan people is critical to our economy,” said Young.

Both Beck and Young said that the province can do better when it comes to areas like making sure workers, particularly Indigenous workers, are a part of the growth.

“It’s a theme that we’ve heard right across the province. People wanting to be part of those solutions, wanting to come to the table and not always finding a willing partner in the province,” said Beck. “When we’re thinking about natural resources, when we’re thinking about the future of this province that there’s a plan that all people benefit.”

The NDP has criticized Premier Scott Moe’s government for PST expansions when the provincial coffers hold a $2 billion surplus.

“We also need a government that is focused on standing up for the little guys and we heard that loud and clear from the small business community,” Young said.

Businesses have been challenged for the last two years of pandemic restrictions and do not need to face the extra challenge of tax increases to their products.

“They don’t need a handout, but they need to know that the government’s not going to be kneecapping them with a tax when they’re just getting back on their feet and the Sask Party is enjoying windfall profits right now,” said Young.

If the government wants to encourage migration to Saskatchewan, they need to make sure infrastructure can accommodate more people, they said.

Housing is a spectrum, from homelessness to the large homes of people with more resources, and in certain places, the government is falling short.

“There are real concerns around housing. We do have a great quality of life here in Saskatchewan and a real wonderful story to tell and celebrate,” said Young, “but it’s hard to advertise and sell a potentially a lower cost of living than in Vancouver if you still can’t buy a house.”

She said in the past all three levels of government worked to make sure there was adequate housing but that no longer happens and there has been little provincial investment in either social housing or housing in general.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com