Emokhare Paul Anthony, Daily Herald
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he’s satisfied with what his government was able to accomplish during the first sitting of the Legislature since the fall election, but NDP leader Carla Beck said the government left too many opportunities on the table.
In a press release on Tuesday, Moe said the government knows affordability continues to be “top of mind’ for many Saskatchewan residents. He pointed to the new Saskatchewan Affordability Act as a sign the government was taking those concerns seriously.
“It is a fulfillment of the commitment we made during the recent election campaign,” Moe said. “It aims to deliver long-term sustainable support for all Saskatchewan residents and families.”
Moe said he was also pleased with a recent SaskEnergy Amendment Act, 2024, which he said fulfills the government’s commitment to extend the carbon tax exemption on home heating.
Effective January 1, 2024, Moe said that the removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills is saving the average Saskatchewan family approximately $400.
The provincial government argues that due to the expected increase in the carbon tax on April 1, 2025, from $80 to $95 per tonne, the continued removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills will save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $480 in 2025.
“By passing The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act, 2024, our government will continue providing Saskatchewan residents with real relief by keeping home heating exempt from the carbon tax,” Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Jeremy Harrison said in a press release.
“It was unfair for the Liberal-NDP federal government to provide carbon tax relief for people who live in one region of the country, and our government will keep fighting until the carbon tax is removed everywhere, on everything, for everyone.” Harrison.
The Scott Moe led government in addition has also introduced The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act. The Act will allow municipalities and First Nations to opt in to new rules that regulate the possession, transportation and storage of items that may be used as street weapons, such as large knives, machetes or bear spray.
“We know from talking to police and community leaders there is a need for strengthened resources to ensure each Saskatchewan resident enjoys a safe and flourishing neighbourhood,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod in a press release. “There is no room for any form of violence in Saskatchewan. We are ensuring that these rules will give communities more options to address individuals that use street weapons to intimidate or harm people in public spaces, and empowering SCAN officers to actively respond to nuisance or dilapidated properties to address immediate safety concerns in an effort to create safer communities across Saskatchewan.”
McLeod said the legislation builds on the Bear Spray Regulations (The Wildlife Control (Capsaicin) Products Regulations) passed earlier this year. The Act’s rules will prohibit people from possessing and carrying large knives, bear spray and other street weapons in public spaces where a municipality or First Nation has chosen to opt in to the new rules.
The government says the rules will also prohibit people from defacing or altering street weapons in a manner that makes them easier to conceal.
However, NDP leader Carla Beck said the most recent session in the legislature showed no signs the new government was listening to voters.
Beck said the government is out of steam and out of touch, and offers no immediate solutions to the rising cost of living.
“I think this session has been a huge missed opportunity for the Sask. Party,” Beck said in a press release.
Following the fall election, Beck said the Saskatchewan NDP has focused on on healthcare and the high cost of living, presenting several bipartisan solutions that the Sask. Party blocked.
“People elected us to fix issues and get stuff done. But every step of the way the government refused to change,” said Beck.
Beck said the Saskatchewan Party’s tax measures will not provide relief until 2026, if ever. She said residents could have seen taxes reduced on gas, groceries, and kids’ clothing in time for the Christmas holidays.
“The session is over and done with, and life won’t be any easier for all the hardworking people struggling to put gifts under the tree,” Beck said. “Life won’t be any different for all the people who need healthcare and need to fly to Calgary or Toronto to get it. People are no better off and it’s incredibly frustrating.”
“The Sask. Party ignored calls to work across party lines to address critical issues.” Beck added. “They blocked an emergency motion aimed at investigating Northern Saskatchewan’s rising cost of living, which has contributed to a resurgence of scurvy, with at least 27 reported cases. An emergency motion to get Saskatchewan’s healthcare system out of last place through a bipartisan healthcare committee was similarly blocked.”
Beck said her party is ready with a team that will work with community leaders to build made-in-Saskatchewan solutions and show the residents to be a government in waiting.”
