Affordability measures, or a lack thereof, was the topic of discussion during Question Period on Thursday.
NDP Leader Carla Beck accused the Sask Party government of failing to include any cost-of-living relief in the 2024-25 provincial budget revealed on Wednesday.
“This morning, Angus Reid released new numbers on the cost-of-living crisis that people are facing. It shows that almost half of Saskatchewan people report that they are worse off this year than they were last year. That’s higher than the national average,” Beck stated.
Premier Scott Moe encouraged Beck to look over the budget again, stating there are over $2 billion in affordability measures, including $17 million added to help transition Saskatchewan people back into the workforce.
Moe stated that, listed in the budget, in every income category but one, Regina, Saskatchewan is ranked first as the most affordable Canadian city to live in. He adds that his government has managed to balance affordability with making record investments in education and healthcare.
“What you have here, as we enter an election year, is a government that’s focused on classrooms, care and communities, and an opposition that’s focused on chaos, closures, and crashing our Saskatchewan economy,” Moe accused.
The Official Opposition also condemned the Sask Party government for choosing not to drop the provincial fuel tax, which charges motorists an extra 15 cents per litre.
NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon says both Alberta and Manitoba have chosen to give their people some relief and drop the gas tax.
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer noted that Saskatchewan is already one of the most affordable places to live in Canada because of the measures the Sask Party government has worked to put in place.
“Because of the indexation under low income tax, a family of four will save approximately $400 this year… Because of not charging the carbon tax on home heating, that is another $400 in savings for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer contradicted.
Wotherspoon countered by citing an Angus Reid poll which suggests that despite Harpauer’s claims, six out of ten Saskatchewan people find it difficult or very difficult to put food on the table.
