The Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP has announced that if elected to govern, her party will launch a start-up loan program for new entrepreneurs. Carla Beck says new businesses with up to ten staff will be able to apply for a loan of up to $40,000 for buying or improving the land or buildings to be used, for new or used equipment, buying new or existing leashehold improvements, such as renovations to a leased property by a tenant, and intangible assets and working capital costs.

The loans will be repayable within five years with an interest rate that will be the government’s cost of capital plus 1 per cent, and 25 per cent of the loan may be forgiven, based on the applicant’s repayment record. Beck states that the Sask Party government is set to double the small business tax nexxt year, while she has committed to freezing taxes across the board.