Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Federal minister visits Prince Albert

Oct 18, 2014 | 9:19 AM

Business, balanced budgets, taxes and trade were all on the table during a chatham roundtable discussion, on Friday afternoon.

Honorary Kevin Sorenson, Minster of State for Finance for Canada, as well as Member of Parliament (MP) Randy Hoback met with members of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, and business owners, talking about ways to build a strong economy.

Sorenson said each fall, before the spring budget, he travels the country and meets with different groups.

“We meet with educators, we in some cases meet with first nations groups, we will meet with businesses, we will meet with students, we will meet with moms and dads,” said Sorenson.

He said Prince Albert’s specific meeting at the Golf and Curling Club was based around families, helping businesses prosper and breaking down trade barriers.

Hoback said some topics they touched on were mentorship programs for businesses in Prince Albert. He called it the ‘incubator’, meaning the business would take an employee under their wing and teach them the skills they need to become successful in the work force.

Hoback mentioned the casino here in Prince Albert which has used the ‘incubator’ in their workplace. He said that more businesses should take advantage of a program like this.

“Not necessarily re-invent the wheel but take systems, like for example what we see at the casino, that’s its working, and just copy it and utilize it even more, “ said Hoback.

Sorenson said the more businesses which adopt a program like this the better.

“If you’re going to have a knowledge based work base in the future, it’s not just going to happen, you have to work for it, “said Sorenson.

A number of people said to Sorenson they also want the government to stay on track with a balanced budget. This means investing in the right things and focussing on infrastructure.

Sorenson has been told in meetings, “we have to operate in our family within a balanced budget we expect you guys to do it as well.”

Part of the balanced budgets is keeping taxes low, said Sorenson. He believes the government’s strategy since 2006 has attempted to lower taxes.

Sorenson said a major challenge facing the government is the public wants more money in their pockets. Yet costs are constantly rising.

“[The] cost of living continues to grow, price of fuel continues to grow and people want to know that the government isn’t taking more,” said Sorenson. “We heard a number of people today say there is only one taxpayer.”

Sorenson said no matter what level of government, “It all comes back to the taxpayer.”

“We have to respect the hard work of these taxpayers and make sure that we don’t take more,” said Sorenson.

Sorenson said with a growing economy, set to reach the trillions this fall it’s important to keep taxes low so the economy stays strong. 

Randy Hoback spoke to the importance of agriculture producers in the economy. He said within the Prince Albert. riding there are a large number of agriculture producers.

Hoback said if the producer’s income increases then the money is spent here locally and that aids directly in lowering taxes.

However, Hoback said the producers grow more than locals can consume on their own. For Hoback, international trade is the key to best using our resources.

This brought up the point of trade between provinces. Hoback wants market access to export all goods between British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Sorenson said all the information collected in the pre-budget consultations will go directly to Ottawa and be further discussed with the finance committee, the Business chamber of Commerce and a group of individuals.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1