NDP not offering equalization fix

In a recent editorial viewpoint, NDP Leader Ryan Meili declared that the equalization program is unfair and needs to be changed.

What Mr. Meili failed to do is tell us how the NDP would fix equalization.

Instead, he offered up a dubious rehash of history, a misrepresentation of the government’s record, and an extended critique of Premier Scott Moe.

In contrast, Premier Moe is proposing a plan to make equalization fairer and more responsive to unexpected and dramatic economic downturns.

Our 50-50 plan would see half the equalization pool distributed according to the current formula and the other half dispensed on a percapita basis.

This would ensure all provinces would receive funding from equalization.

The 50-50 plan would help provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador, who received no equalization when resource prices dropped sharply four years ago, and will receive no equalization for the foreseeable future.

Premier Moe wanted to start a conversation about equalization, and felt it was necessary to bring forth an actual proposal, rather than simply complain.

Later this month, Premier Moe will discuss our 50-50 proposal with his colleagues at the Council of Federation meeting in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

As for our record, our government has invested heavily to improve services, contrary to what Mr. Meili asserts.

We have created more than 8,500 new childcare spaces (a 75-per-cent increase), hired another 900 doctors and more than 3,400 nurses, boosted funding for income assistance programs by 85 per cent and nearly doubled funding for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

And these are just a few examples.

A former British prime minister once observed that the duty of the opposition is “to oppose everything, and propose nothing ”.

That might work for a while.

But there comes a time when the people of Saskatchewan will ask a simple question of the NDP: “What would you do?”

On equalization, pipelines, a carbon tax and so many other topics, Ryan Meili and the NDP have no answer. Donna Harpauer, Saskatchewan finance minister