Moose Jaw’s Outstanding Athletes

Canada has won gold at all Paralympic Games since curling was introduced in 2006. Marie curled in the 2017 World Championship, and has become an inspiration as she strives for excellence in taking on the challenges of life as a paraplegic. We wish her well in her first Paralympic Games as Team Canada goes for gold once again.

At the Legislature, MLAs have been meeting to prepare for the opening of the Spring Session. Premier Scott Moe recently fulfilled his commitment to reinstate the exemption of the Provincial Sales Tax on agriculture, life and health insurance premiums. Many people in our province will appreciate this move as it was an issue I received feedback on after last spring’s budget.

The change has an impact of $65 million on revenue forecast for 2017-18 and a $120 million impact on revenue forecast for 2018-19. Premier Moe has said that the financial impact can be accommodat- ed within the government’s three-year plan to balance the budget by 2019-20. The exemption, which is retroactive to August 1, 2017, covers agriculture, which includes crop, livestock and hail insurance premiums as well as individual and group life and health insurance premiums; health includes disability, accident and sickness insurance.

The Ministry of Finance will work with the insurance industry to determine the best way to refund individuals and businesses that have paid PST on agriculture, life and health insurance premiums. More information about how the refunds will be administered will be available by April 10.

Congratulations again to all our South West Region Saskatchewan Winter Games athletes and coaches, and the Saskatchewan Selects Football teams; and best wishes the Marie Wright as she represents Canada at the Winter Paralympic Games.