It could be another challenging year for Saskatchewan businesses.The Vice President of the Prairies and Agri-business at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 2019 was difficult because of a struggling oil and gas sector while a weather plagued harvest was complicated by international irritants for crop exporters. Marilyn Braun-Pollan points out business and farm owners were hit with increases in CPP premiums in addition to the carbon tax. She hopes implementation of the Saskatchewan Government’s Growth Plan will provide relief by reducing red tape and interprovincial trade barriers while growing and diversifying trade and exports.

Braun-Pollan is also encouraged by the plan’s commitment to upgrade highways and infrastructure. The CFIB official hopes the federal government’s reduction of the personal tax exemption to 15-thousand dollars will mean more revenue for businesses but thinks that will be offset by additional hikes in CPP and carbon tax premiums. Braun-Pollan is also critical of the Trudeau government for adding to the deficit.
She calls “today’s deficit tomorrow’s tax increase”, but she is hopeful the new North American free trade deal will have a positive impact on Saskatchewan’s economy.