(File photo/650 CKOM)

By Derek Craddock

surplus

Local MLAs shower praise while union leaders criticize fiscal update

Nov 29, 2022 | 5:28 PM

While the provincial government is celebrating a large surplus, others believe bragging about that extra money is not the right course of action.

In the report, released Tuesday morning, the province said higher resource revenues and taxation has produced a $1 billion surplus, which the Sask. Party intends to use to pay down public debt.

Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave believes it’s all-around good news for the city and province.

“To have that kind of surplus is great,” he said. “It means that we can continue to afford to pay for everything that we committed to.”

Hargrave said this includes projects like the hospital expansion, construction of the hospice, and the addition of new warrant enforcement officers announced in the Throne Speech.

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Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross agreed.

“We are in a good position,” she said adding that the future OSB plant and Paper Excellence restarting the pulp mill are ways that the province’s fiscal situation is helping the city.

However, the fiscal update did come with criticism from Opposition MLAs and union leaders wishing the surplus money would go to economic relief.

In a release, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) took shots at the government, claiming they don’t care about workers and families struggling to make ends meet.

“This is a deliberate choice by the Sask. Party government to hoard money to make themselves look good instead of using this opportunity to help working people and families, and invest in health care, education and public services,” SFL President Lori Johb said. “Instead, the Sask. Party chose to move forward with tax and utility hikes while giving everyone a one-time payment that doesn’t even cover the cost of inflation and that many still have yet to receive despite the announcement being made almost four months ago.”

That same sentiment was echoed by Judy Henley, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, which represents public sector workers in the province.

“To brag about something when we have so many other issues is problematic,” she said.

Henley said support and funds are desperately needed in education, healthcare, and child service sectors.

She said the province also needs to invest in addressing homelessness and drug addiction, along with rural health care which she said is in a crisis.

“They need to look at how they can address the issues here,” she said. “Inflation has hurt everybody.”

She also took aim at the province’s affordability measures and the $500 being given to all Saskatchewan taxpayers.

“I’m sorry. The difference between someone who makes $300,000 getting $500 and someone making $15,000, there should have been more thought. If you wanted to give affordability, give it to people who need it, not people who don’t,” Henley said.

Hargrave has heard those critics and responded by saying his government is bringing support to Saskatchewan residents already with the affordability cheques and the province’s plan to recruit more doctors and nurses.

Ross added the province’s cheques along with decisions not to go forward with PST on gyms and recreation facilities will help with affordability and job creation.

“Our jobs are up, over 20,000 from last year,” Ross said. “All of that is going to help with the growth of the city and affordability.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: PA_Craddock