REGINA - The New Democrats were voicing major skepticism just one day after the Sask Party announced their plans for more income tax exemptions.
At a media event at NDP campaign offices in northwest Regina, Trent Wotherspoon once again called out the Sask Party for hiking taxes, including 31 times in one year.
He accused the Sask Party of bringing in the biggest tax hike in Saskatchewan history following their 2016 election win, and also accused them of increasing the PST on families by over 73 per cent.
Wotherspoon pointed to Saskatchewan people struggling to be able to pay for essentials.
“We have Scott Moe and the Sask Party that, worse than doing nothing in the face of this once in a generation cost of living challenge, that they’ve made things worse, piled on with additional hikes and costs and taxes, making that hardship all that much worse.”
Wotherspoon, who is running for re-election in Regina Mount Royal, was skeptical about the latest income tax exemption promises from the Sask Party and characterized it as “nonsense.”
“As Scott Moe enters an election, again it’s all about his own political self interest,” said Wotherspoon. “He’s hoping that Saskatchewan people forget his record and believe his baseless promises to cut taxes again this time. I’ve been around long enough seeing this movie before, as have Saskatchewan people… the people of Saskatchewan, they know better.
He reiterated the New Democrats would be cutting the gas tax on day one, saving families $350 right away, and also cut the PST on groceries and kids clothing. Wotherspoon also pledged more affordable housing units for renters.
“We will make sure Saskatchewan people are keeping more money in their pockets. We are committed to getting Saskatchewan out of last place and making life more affordable. It’s time for change.”
When asked how the NDP would pay for their own campaign promises, Wotherspoon said a costing would be coming “very soon.”
“In Saskatchewan, we don’t have a revenue problem. We have a problem of mismanagement. One of the Sask Party’s making.”
Wotherspoon went on to further trash the Sask Party.
“What we’ve learned from the Sask Party is we can’t trust them with our finances. We can’t take them at their word. Which is why we’re calling them out here today. Election after election, the last two elections, they promised reductions in taxes. They weren’t honest with Saskatchewan people. Instead, they stuck Saskatchewan people with the cost of their corruption, waste and mismanagement, and higher bills and costs at a time when families can least afford it.”
In anticipation of Wotherspoon’s remarks, the Sask Party issued a statement pointing out that a family of four making $100,000 in Saskatchewan pays $2,627 less income tax and PST in 2024 than they did in 2007 when the NDP were in power. The Sask Party states they will pay even less with yesterday’s income tax commitment.
Wotherspoon made his remarks on the same morning that Moe and the Sask Party announced in Saskatoon they would be increasing the Graduate Retention Program benefit from $20,000 to $24,000.
Wotherspoon said Moe was “lying again” by claiming the NDP would cut the Graduate Retention Program. But he said even more needed to be done to keep people in the province.
“We need to fix healthcare education and make life more affordable. So the graduate retention program is one piece of that, but we have a government that has an awful record on out-migration. We need to make sure we have the healthcare, the education, and the jobs and the affordability that families need and deserve.”
