SASKATOON - Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck again challenged the Saskatchewan Party to stop blocking their motions to ease the financial strains that provincial residents are experiencing with tax breaks this holiday season. The NDP proposed three emergency motions at the Legislative Assembly during the Fall Sitting, but the Sask Party blocked them.
Beck was in Saskatoon on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and held a media briefing at the Reclaim Maternity, Baby and Kids Clothing store owned by small business owner Janel Edwards, whose shop doubles as a drop-off point for people who want to donate baby formulas and diapers and children’s clothing, especially for winter.
The NDP filed motions during the final day of the Fall session to cut the gas and provincial sales taxes and investigate the rising food prices in Northern Saskatchewan, which is currently reeling from the reemergence of scurvy.
“We were elected to represent the people of our constituencies like [Chief Mistawasis] MLA [Don] McBean beside me. We should do everything possible to deliver that relief to the Saskatchewan people,” said Beck
“This should be something that they [Sask Party] are focused on and understand that people need relief. We will continue to raise those voices and concerns, and that's the job we have to do as the official opposition. But frankly, all leaders should be focused on making decisions to address the most pressing issues for the families they represent.”
Cutting the provincial sales tax on groceries and children’s clothing alone could give families $36 million in savings annually and hundreds of thousands at the pump from the 15 cents per litre fuel tax.
“We're here [to call] on the Sask Party to take immediate action to permanently remove their PST on children's clothing in time for Christmas. This tax costs Saskatchewan families $22 million every year,” said Beck, joined by Edwards and McBean.
“Yesterday, the Sask Party blocked an emergency motion on the last day of the Legislature's fall session that could have removed this tax from children's clothing before Christmas. This is in addition to blocking other attempts that we've put forward to provide the Saskatchewan people with some relief.”
Beck added that the Sask Party-led government’s affordability plan doesn't save the people of this province any money until 2026, with Finance Minister Jim Reiter and Deputy Minister Tracey Smith admitting this, about 13 months away.
“This is another clear sign of how out-of-touch the Sask Party government has become. Two-thirds of people in this province, which is the highest number in Canada, report that they are struggling financially,” said Beck.
“A new report released just this week says that families will pay an additional $800 for grocery costs next year, over what they paid this year. Let's be clear: Saskatchewan families can't wait until 2026 for this relief. They need it now.”
