Legislative Report

New Conservative Government Must Deliver on Promises

It’s no secret farm families are facing difficult times, but with a new government in Ottawa perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The Conservatives promised a new disaster relief program and $500 million more each year for farm support programs. These commitments must be kept.

Saskatchewan families can not continue with the current status quo; a promise is a promise and it’s time agriculture received its due. For far too long, agriculture has been on the back burner in Ottawa, now with strong representation from Saskatchewan in the Conservative government I hope this becomes a priority.

Saskatchewan families are also being penalized by an unfair equalization formula. Currently oil and gas revenues are included in the formula, which is unfair because money is actually clawed out of Saskatchewan coffers.

The Conservatives promised to revamp Canada’s unfair and outdated equalization program, and they must keep this commitment because it means as much as an extra $2 billion a year coming to Saskatchewan. Imagine how better off you would be if Saskatchewan had this extra money to put towards tax cuts or infrastructure.

As a way of ensuring Saskatchewan people do not get short changed, our leader Brad Wall made a statement this week saying when and if the new deal comes from Ottawa, it should be retroactive to April 1, 2006, which coincides with the first day of the fiscal year.

Saskatchewan voted overwhelmingly for change; now it’s up to the new government to return the favour.

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