REGINA - just one day after blocking an NDP emergency motion on suspending the gas tax, the Saskatchewan Party government is giving notice it will bring in its own affordability legislation.
That notice was presented Wednesday by Finance Minister Jim Reiter, and the bill will be formally introduced for first reading next week.
During Monday's Speech from the Throne to open the legislative session, the government had pledged its first bill would be The Saskatchewan Affordability Act - legislation that would enact the Sask Party's campaign commitments on affordability made during the election. Those measures include income tax reductions, doubling of the Active Families benefit, increasing the First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit, an increase to the Graduate Retention Program benefit, and others.
While the government gave notice on their affordability legislation Wednesday, Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon was in Saskatoon at a media event outside a gas station, in which he vowed to keep fighting on the issue of cost of living relief. According to an NDP news release, the party is committing to further emergency votes in the Legislature on the affordability issue.
In Question Period Wednesday, Opposition Deputy Leader Vicki Mowat roasted Reiter for blocking the NDP's emergency motion the previous afternoon.
"Mr. Speaker, this tired and out-of-touch government talks about change, but they're still same old, same old," Mowat said.. "Back in the spring, they used their majority to vote down our motion for fuel tax relief, and yesterday they blocked it once again... Why is the Sask Party government blocking cost-of-living relief for Saskatchewan families?"
"Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth," Reiter responded. "We just spent a month in October on a campaign where we campaigned on affordability issues, Mr. Speaker. What kind of a party would we be, what kind of a government would we be, if we didn't live up to the commitment? That's what the people voted for, that's what we're going to deliver. In fact, Mr. Speaker, just a few minutes ago I gave notice of the bill that's going to enact most of these affordability relief measures.
"Mr. Speaker, it's going to be the largest personal income tax reduction since 2008. It'll save a family of four $3,400 and a senior couple $3,100 over four years. We're going to increase the low-income tax credit by 20 per cent. We've already removed carbon tax on home heating, Mr. Speaker. That's going to be extended. We're doubling the Active Families Benefit, created a home renovation tax credit, Mr. Speaker. The list goes on. Affordability measures are very important to this government because they're very important to the citizens of this province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Well, let's get this straight, Mr. Speaker," Mowat replied. "They blocked our motion yesterday. If they hadn't, people across this province could be saving 15 cents per litre today, and the Sask Party government wouldn't have blocked that motion, Mr. Speaker.
"Their choices are making life more expensive. In Prince Albert, the food bank is beyond capacity because of the soaring demand of people needing support. It's crystal clear to everyone that families need help with the cost of living. Clear to everyone, Mr. Speaker, except for this tired and out-of-touch Sask Party government. Why is the Premier forcing families to wait until spring before they get some relief?"
"Mr. Speaker, as I said, we campaigned on the affordability measures. I just listed some of them. Many of them are in the bill that I gave notice of today, Mr. Speaker," Reiter said.
"The Opposition campaigned on the short-term, temporary reduction in gas tax, Mr. Speaker. The voters have spoken. We campaigned on that platform. We're going to honour that platform. Mr. Speaker, if the members are actually concerned about affordability measures and the people of Saskatchewan have spoken, are they going to block the bill that I gave notice to today? Or we could pass it today if they would support it."
