YORKTON – The upcoming provincial election is a time for organizations and individuals to voice their concerns on potential issues.
With the election scheduled for Oct. 28, SaskToday.ca reached out to the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce via e-mail to learn what local businesses feel are the most pressing issues ahead of the election.
Taxes and red tape, education, infrastructure, workforce and business development are what the chamber says are the key economic issues concerning local businesses.
"Taxation and the lack of skilled and entry level employees are impeding the growth of the business community," read the e-mail.
The chamber believes that the actions taken by the next provincial government to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth are "reducing the PST; reducing the corporate income tax rate; reducing red tape; ensuring there are training opportunities locally; working with the RM of Orkney and the City of Yorkton to ensure Grain Millers Drive is safe and maintained; building the new Health Centre that was first announced in 2003; developing a housing strategy; developing strategies to facilitate the training of Indigenous people and to retain our youth to bolster our available workforce; providing access to capital for our small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)."
In regard to taxation and regulation, the chamber said "there is only one taxpayer. To continually raise taxes impedes the growth of businesses. Reducing the PST to five per cent and lowering the corporate income tax rate to 10 per cent is a good start. Eliminating the PST on labour on construction projects will reduce the cost. Property taxes are often a huge expense that businesses have difficulty overcoming."
According to the chamber, the infrastructure investments most need in Yorkton involve the city's water and sewer lines.
"Many of the city’s water and sewer lines are crumbling and require immediate attention," read the email.
The question they pose is how will the new provincial government assist the City in obtaining the funding it requires to replace the existing infrastructure.
As well, the chamber added that, "a new Health Facility in Yorkton has been promised for more than 20 years. Affordable housing is needed. And the safety and maintenance plan for Grain Millers Drive must be secure."
In terms of attracting and retaining people in the workforce, the chamber said that offering training programs locally will help to keep skilled workers closer to home.
"Creating programs that will retain our youth and developing programs to enhance the education of our Indigenous residents will also help in alleviating the workforce issues," said the chamber.
"The 2024 provincial election is very important to the future of the province and to the city of Yorkton. The Chamber urges the business community to discuss their concerns and ideas with the candidates from each of the political parties. More importantly, on Oct. 28, please VOTE," said the chamber.
The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce released their 2024 talking points for the municipal and provincial elections in July of 2024. They can be accessed through the organization's website.
