With the conclusion of the Fall sitting of the Legislature, Premier Scott Moe highlighted what the government has been doing. He pointed out the passing of two pieces of legislation – The Saskatchewan Affordability Act, which includes the largest personal income tax reduction since 2008 and The SaskEnergy Amendment Act which extends the carbon tax exemption on home heating.
From promises made during the election campaign, the government also introduced The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act to address challenges posed by abandoned properties the create a public nuisance and contribute to unsafe living conditions. The Safe Public Spaces Act would allow municipalities and First Nations to opt in to new rules that regulate the possession, transportation and storage of items that may be used as street weapons, such as large knives, bear spray or machete.
In the Speech from the Throne, the government also made commitments to better access to a primary care provider by investing $1.1 million to launch a medical resident recruitment incentive targeting high demand specialties, where those training in Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, and Diagnostic Radiology programs are eligible for an incentive of up to $60,000.
Meanwhile, the provincial NDP says despite attempts to provide immediate cost-of-living relief to families struggling to make ends meet, the government has said no to cutting the PST for children’s clothing in time for the holidays.
NDP MLA Joan Pratchler attempted to introduce a motion last Tuesday to suspect the collect of the PST immediately, but the motion was refused. An NDP news release says this would have saved families in total $22 million a year. Pratchler says the cost-of-living crisis is leaving so many without means to put something special under the tree this Christmas
During the Fall Sitting, attempts by the NDP were denied including cutting the gas tax, cutting the PST on groceries and investigating and developing solutions to counter the sky-high price of food in the North. The NDP also notes the affordability plan from the Sask Party won’t come into effect until 2026.
