NDP Finance critic says Sask. Party budget fails province
A special Mom lovingly remembered By the families of Twiy, Benita, Renee, Rolene The most recent Saskatchewan budget brought forth earlier this month by the Sask. Party might not have featured the kind of harsh measures and tough cuts seen in 2017-18, but that’s not to say the 2018-19 version is any more palatable for the official opposition NDP. Finance critic Cathy Sproule, NDP MLA for Saskatoon Nutana, was in Moose Jaw to explain her party’s position on the newest financial reckoning for the coming year with an open forum at the Moose Jaw Public Library. Around 20 people took part in the event, hearing Sproule’s concerns and offering some of their own. All-in-all, even with the ‘status quo’ plan that sees substantial capital plan spending, the additional $2.3 billion in debt is just another bridge too far by Sproule’s assessment.
“We don’t see a real plan for getting us out of debt, this is kind of knee-jerk short-term approach to finance,” she said shortly after her presentation touched several areas of general concern for the NDP, from surcharges on crown corporation bills to funding for education. “Bills are going up, food costs are going up and salaries aren’t,” said Sproule. “Then Saskatchewan’s mortgage arrears are three times the national average, and that really shows how people are struggling in this province.” Getting that kind of message out is the focus of what will be a series of similar events and presentations throughout the province in coming months.
With recent polls showing the gap closing between the two main political parties in the province, Sproule and her fellow caucus members believe that one aspect of their message could especially resonate with voters – Scott Moe isn’t Brad Wall, but he’s more of the same. “We find that Brad Wall carried a lot of trust with the people of Saskatchewan, and I think that trust is still somewhat there for the Sask. Party,” she said. “But once the curtains are pulled back and they see that Scott Moe is a lot of the same – he sat in cabinet for last year’s budget and has been part of cabinet for many years – and that there isn’t any change, people are going to figure it out.”
The NDP’s ultimate goal is have their message heard and taken to heart, leading to a victory in the coming provincial campaign. That will undoubtedly mean stepping into the same resource-sector-poor shoes the Sask. Party are currently wearing, and dealing with plenty of difficult decisions.
“We’ve been there, there’s always been time when a confederation of people try these so-called conservative governments that have put the province in debt and then the NDP has to bail it out again,” Spoule said.
“Our record has always been fiscal responsibility and yet looking for programs to help people at the same time. It’s not easy, but I think the NDP has the path. When you’re in debt difficult decisions have to be made and I think that’s what people will understand.”
Cosmo Senior’s Centre Shuffleboard, April 26/18