Bryn Levy
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
The leader of Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP has kicked off her bid to form government in the upcoming 2024 provincial election.
Speaking Thursday at a sporting goods consignment store in Saskatoon, NDP Leader Carla Beck said her party will campaign on a pledge not to raise taxes on individuals or businesses.
“I guarantee that we will not increase provincial income taxes, small business taxes, provincial sales tax or corporate tax — no tax hikes, period,” Beck said, adding that this pledge would remain in effect for the entirety of a prospective NDP government’s first term.
Beck went on to promise that on top of the zero tax hikes pledge, an NDP government would suspend the provincial gas tax for at least six months, and freeze the small business tax rate. The province temporarily cut the rate to zero in October 2020, then raised it to one per cent in July 2023 with plans to bring it back to its pre-COVID rate of two per cent in July 2025.
Asked how the NDP could freeze taxes and forego hundreds of millions of dollars in gas tax revenue while also promising to deliver improved services, Beck said it’s about “betting on this province.”
“There is opportunity that’s not being realized in this province to expand the economy,” she noted, pointing to the need to develop a strong skilled workforce able to take advantage of these opportunities.
Beck also zeroed in on what she characterized as wasteful spending by the Saskatchewan Party government.
She pointed to recent reports of the flawed rollout of the AIMS payroll system for health-care workers as an example. Program costs have nearly tripled from an original estimate of $86 million to around $240 million, and workers are still complaining of logistical headaches and short paycheques.
Beck also highlighted Premier Scott Moe’s trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate summit, and accused the Sask. Party of an over-reliance on “high priced consultants,” all while suggesting an NDP government would rein in this kind of spending.
“It’s about spending not on wasteful projects, not on things that don’t benefit the majority of people in this province. It’s about working with those on the front lines to ensure that we’re getting both best value and best service for the people of Saskatchewan,” she said.
Beck was asked about the prospect of an NDP provincial government supporting large-scale projects, including a proposed downtown arena and convention centre renovation in Saskatoon, and a multi-billion dollar plan for expanding irrigation around Lake Diefenbaker.
Beck said her view on endorsing big-ticket projects is roughly the same as the advice she’s giving to one of her children seeking to rent their first apartment: “Read the fine details.”
That said, she added that an NDP government would be open to conversations about potential provincial investments working alongside the federal government.
“Any time that you’re going to sign on to billion-dollar deals that are hugely impactful, not only in terms of resources, financial resources, but resources like water, you need to be open to things, but you want to make sure that you have all of the details as well.”
Saskatchewan voters are expected to go to the polls in October.
