Legislative Report
(29 April 2009)

Many Happy Returns

As tax filing season comes to an end, many Saskatchewan families are seeing the effects of last fall’s historic tax cuts. Many people will receive larger than expected tax refunds due to the largest-ever single year income tax cut in the province’s history. The savings are primarily the result of our government’s decision to increase the Basic and Spousal Personal Exemptions by $4,000, in addition to increasing the Child Tax Credit by $2,000. That amounts to savings of $1,320 per year for a working family with two children earning $41,300. If a family earned less than $41,300, they paid no provincial income tax. In fact, our tax cuts resulted in 80,000 people being removed altogether from the tax rolls. When you factor in the new Low Income Tax Credit and indexation, Saskatchewan families are saving more than $700 million this year. While the province’s economy remains relatively strong, putting $700 million back into the hands of Saskatchewan people will ensure it remains strong.

LISTENING TO SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE

Our government has committed to listening to Saskatchewan people on how to best meet our future energy needs. We have announced that an all-party committee consisting of both government and opposition MLAs will hold public meetings on meeting the province’s future energy needs. The question we will be seeking input on is: how do we develop future sources of safe and reliable electricity in a manner which achieves the best balance between affordability and environmental sustainability? These hearings will complement the ongoing work of the public consultations on the Uranium Development Partnership report. Saskatchewan already benefits from a diverse mixture of electrical power, including natural gas, wind, hydro, co-generation and coal. In order to meet our growing demand, we will have to seek out more alternative sources.

MONEY FOR COMMUNITY AIRPORTS

Our government recently announced a significant investment in community airports which will allow seven communities to stay competitive and remain attractive places to live. We are providing the airports in those municipalities with $500,000 in funding for initiatives such as repairing and repaving runways. The grants are provided through the Community Airports Partnership program (CAP). This year’s funding will go to airports in Estevan, Kamsack, Kindersley, Maple Creek, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton airports. These community airports provide important and efficient transportation links which allow industry to connect with provincial, national and international markets and clients. Supporting community airports also ensures safety and security by providing a base of operations for policing and air ambulances.

ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY LAYOFFS

Your Saskatchewan Party government is helping workers and employers affected by layoffs through the formation of Rapid Response Teams. These teams will help ensure that employers and workers can access the programs, services, benefits and information they need to assist them and their families. The Rapid Response Teams Services include:

• skills assessment for workers;
• training plan development for workers;
• training services for workers; and labour standards advice.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour website or SaskJobs and click on the "Rapid Response Teams" banner.

NURSES AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP PRODUCES RESULTS

Our government’s partnership with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses is producing results. After only 14 months of cooperation, 159 more RNs and LPNs are working in Saskatchewan. Nursing vacancies have also declined, from 793 last fall to 617 in December 2008. Nurses salaries are finally competitive relative to what nurses are being paid in other provinces. Significant progress has been made toward hiring targets in the Regina Qu'Appelle, Sunrise, Saskatoon and Prince Albert Parkland. After 16 years of the NDP denying there was a nursing shortage, we are finally making positive progress on this important issue.

Past Legislative Reports