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Sask. Party caucus committee touring province for feedback on economic barriers

Aug 12, 2018 | 12:04 PM

Members of the Saskatchewan Party caucus are touring the province to hear feedback from business owners on barriers they see hindering growth in the province.

The Economy Caucus Policy Committee includes six members of the party, chaired by Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young. 

The main takeaway from the tour for Young was how the government can implement legislation and regulations but needs to be alert to the wide range of needs and uniqueness in all corners of the province.

“There is not one cookie cutter thing,” she said. “We need to consider the different areas and the industries that are operating in those areas.”

Pushback over the broadening of provincial sales tax in the 2017 budget continue to dog the party and have been tagged as a standout economic barrier on multiple fronts ever since. Young maintained the decision was difficult to implement, though said it was necessary to help keep the province and budget on track to balance.

“We have been hearing about the PST at every meeting we have been going to but I think folks also recognize we do not want to grow debt in this province,” she told paNOW. “With non-renewable resource revenues being down there had to be alternatives looked at and I think people recognize that and we are all hoping at some point in time, things will improve.”

For some time, residents and business owners in and around Prince Albert have headed calls for action on spurring private growth and revitalization in the forestry sector. Hargrave admitted this was an ongoing challenge being addressed by various trade and economy ministries, and said a climate needed to be created where entering the fray of forestry was feasible for private endeavours.

“That is possible and that would be great for this area,” he said. “The whole forestry industry has changed in Canada in the last number of years … we know that…. But there is always something we can do and that is being looked at.”

Young went on to add that the whole purpose of the committee is to look at the economy and investments around the province and what regulatory changes might be necessary in order to create a climate for greater industry investment in the province.

 

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow