Legislative Report (17 December 2008)

Keeping a Promise to Saskatchewan Families

Your Saskatchewan Party government is keeping another campaign promise by launching the Active Families Benefit program. The new tax benefit will refund parents or guardians up to $150 per child taking part in cultural, recreational and sport activities. Assisting families with these costs will reduce barriers, promote access and encourage children to participate in activities vital to healthy, active living. Combined with the historic tax cuts announced in October, a working family with two children participating in eligible activities will see their income tax reduced by $1,620 in 2009. Eligible activities include theatre and dance classes, music lessons, swimming lessons and minor league sports. The Active Families Benefit takes effect January 1, 2009 and will provide an estimated $18 million in tax relief for Saskatchewan families.

RECORD YEAR FOR LAND SALES

Saskatchewan's record-breaking year for the sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights has finished strongly, with the second-best December sale ever. The December sale brought in $46.7 billion and boosted to $1.12 billion the 2008 year-end revenues to the province. That is two to three times higher than the last three December land sales. The billion dollar land sale in 2008 speaks volumes about the attractiveness of our oil and gas resources and industry confidence in our investment climate.

SASKATCHEWAN PLAYS HOST TO CANADA’S FINANCE MINISTERS

Our government led the charge for increased infrastructure spending on the part of the federal government at the federal and provincial finance ministers meeting in Saskatoon. We have already increased our investment in infrastructure to $1.5 billion, and are now considering options for accelerating some of our commitments so that we can get projects underway as early as possible in the New Year. Our government also maintained that any federal economic stimulus package should provide assistance to more than just the automotive sector. In Saskatchewan, the livestock and forestry sectors are experiencing hardship and we have an expectation that any aid package would include assistance for these industries and workers. Other issues on the table at the two-day meeting included skills training for trades, Aboriginal participation in the workplace, securities regulation, federal transfers and taxation. In our role as a leader in the New West, our government is committed to ensuring Saskatchewan plays a prominent role on the national stage.

PROVIDING PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS

New rules that increase notice for rent increases came into effect this week. As of December 12, 2008, landlords will have to give tenants six-months notice of a rent increase. This replaces the old three-month rule. In the case of fixed-term leases, any rent increases must now be specified in the lease document. These changes provide rent increase relief for tenants at this time of growth in Saskatchewan. Additional changes related to security deposits will come into effect at a later date.

SASK ECONOMY STRONG DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

The Saskatchewan economy continues to show strength despite the global economic downturn. In October, Saskatchewan's total international exports were up 91.6 percent over October 2007, to $3.3 billion. That is almost five times the national average. Saskatchewan also recorded the second-highest increase in new motor vehicle sales. Statistics Canada reported new car sales in the province jumped by 12 per cent between October 2007 and October 2008. Manufacturing sales in October were more than eight times higher than the national average of 1.7 per cent. That 16 per cent increase pushed the value of manufacturing sales in October to $1.03 billion. In October, we were already seeing the signs of a stressed economy in Canada and around the world, but these numbers show consumer and business confidence in the Saskatchewan economy remain high. Our government will continue to take measures in the New Year to ensure that confidence is maintained.

Past Legislative Reports