Time to think ahead Provincially
This fall, by the unusual coincidence of fixed term federal and municipal elections and the incidence of this corona virus, we have a provincial election as well. We can handle that even though the politicians worry about two elections close together. Time to start thinking about who will run our province.
The present Saskatchewan Party has served for three consecutive terms since 2007. After such a period of time voters may wonder if the government needs to change, that they may be stale or they have run out of new ideas. Perhaps, their record indicates that they shouldn鈥檛 govern again.
Outlook, I feel, sits on the edge of the political scene. This community has been shifted from one constituency to another. It鈥檚 been a long time since we鈥檝e had a member from here - longer than I can recall. Still, our vote and and voice count.
Let鈥檚 review the government鈥檚 record. Taxes are lower except the PST (up from 5% to 6%) but our provincial debt is higher. The last year the NDP were in power the provincial debt sat at $7.4 billion, mostly the legacy of the Conservative government of the 1980鈥檚. Very good resource revenue years brought the debt down by more than $2 billion dollars but then lower taxes and shrinking resource revenue caused the debt to rise to over $12 billion at present - it may be the lowest provincial debt in Canada but each person in Saskatchewan owes over $44,000 (just provincially. Did you know this?).
The government tried to reduce expenses by cutting many programs, including the money to libraries, schools and transportation. Concerned voices caused the government to backtrack for libraries, about $3 million, but didn鈥檛 stop the government from ending the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, a unique made in Saskatchewan company that served the far reaches of this province. The government saved $19 million by cutting off more than 100,000 riders and losing all the freight revenue. Private companies were hoped to fill the gaps but even Greyhound left us. The Far Northern riders are left without rides as are seniors who must travel for medical reasons to Regina and Saskatoon.
This government implemented the GTH, a bypass around the city of Regina. It was definitely needed but the cost rose from $400 million to over $2 billion, with many questions raised about changes in route to benefit individuals around Regina and investors from outside the province. An Order of Nuns were pressured into selling the land to an agent who then sold it for millions of dollars more. An investigation found nothing wrong in any of the transactions around GTH. (Look up 20 unanswered questions on GTH). Minister Don Morgan said that there are some people who will never be satisfied. The government axes STC to save $19 million but spends nearly $2 billion more for the bypass. Really?
This government has given us newly paved highways but we still have poor ones. We should have a good paved section on Mackenzie south of the four way stop but it hasn鈥檛 happened YET. The special heavy haul highway #15 needs more attention since big trucks are pounding it.
Start thinking about our future. Ask questions of the politicians and demand they come and visit us here during their term, not just at special events for a photo op or for campaigning. We have a great province; let鈥檚 keep it moving ahead, becoming a better place to live.
Tony Peter
Outlook, SK
