December 3, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Government introduces Affordability Act

The Saskatchewan Party government introduced its plan to address affordability in Saskatchewan yesterday.

Minister of Finance Jim Reiter introduced the Saskatchewan Affordability Act, the government's first piece of legislation since the recent provincial election and will be Bill 1 of this legislature.

"During the recent election campaign, we heard concerns from Saskatchewan citizens about the cost-of-living pressures they are facing today," Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter said. "We know these issues are not unique to our province, but we are taking action to make life more affordable for all Saskatchewan residents and families, while ensuring we still maintain a strong economy." 

The legislation will look to enact many of the campaign promises made by the Sask. Party and Premier Scott Moe. The legislation will include a reduction in the provincial income tax, doubling the active families benefit, increasing the low-income tax credit, increasing the first-time homebuyers tax credit, increasing the graduate retention program, and creating a permanent home renovation tax credit. It will also increase the disability and caregiver tax credit, and keep the small business tax rate at 1%.

With the fall sitting wrapping up early next week, the government will look to fast-track this legislation and pass it this week.

Last week the NDP put forward two separate emergency motions to remove the PST on gas and diesel, and off groceries. Both motions were blocked.

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Saskatoon Mayor comments on proposed property tax increase

The newly elected city council in Saskatoon has had an eventful first weeks on the job. Council approved funding for emergency warming shelters, the city continues to dig out from back-to-back snow storms, and now the council must pass a budget while facing a tax increase.

Council approved the 2024-2025 budget in 2023, but city administration is recommending adjust the 2025 plan by increasing property taxes by 0.2% more than originally planned. Property taxes were set to increase by 5.64%, but the administration is recommending that be changed to 5.84, due largely to a proposed $1.64-million budget increase for police.

The new mayor wants to see the increase below 5%. In an interview with CBC News, Mayor Cynthia Block said, "I think that could be doable and, you know, potentially without too much risk in with regards to delivery of basic services and making sure that we're keeping up with our asset management plan."

A report brought to council shows that the Nutrien Wonderhub has financial troubles. Wonderhub CEO Leah Brodie said the facility has been operating at a deficit for years and is requesting $82,500 from the city. Wonderhub laid out several ways the city could help, according to Brodie. Those options could entail direct supporting the museum in the form of an increased operating grant or culture grant, or reducing a rent increase expected as part of a new lease agreement for its use of the Mendel building. Mayor Block ‘philosophically’ supports funding for Wonderhub, but expressed disappointment that the province is not funding the organization.

The SKoop will bring further reaction from city officials and councillors throughout the budget process.

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Talks resuming as Canada Post strike nears its third week

The end may be near for the ongoing labour dispute between Canada Post and the workers union CUPW.

Canada Post has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements, the corporation said. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said on its website that its negotiators are reviewing the framework documents, and noted the union and Canada Post have both adjusted their demands in the hope of restarting talks.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon temporarily suspended mediation last week, saying negotiations had not budged, but sending the matter to binding arbitration was "not in the cards," he said. On Sunday, MacKinnon said in a social media post (opens in a new tab) he'd spoken with both sides earlier in the day, reminding them it is their duty to resolve their differences in the dispute. He said mediation would only resume if the special mediator has clear evidence both sides have sufficiently modified their positions. "Unfortunately, there has been no such evidence to date," MacKinnon said in the post.

According to new survey data collected by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the strike “has cost the small- and medium-sized business sector at least $765 million.” The CFIB also reports that nearly 70% of small-business owners support the use of back-to-work legislation to end the strike.

The strike continued over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, leaving Canadians to use other shipping methods to receive goods, if at all. Rural Saskatchewan citizens and businesses are expressing concern about how the strike has impacted them.

The U.S. Postal Service said they are suspending Canadian-bound mail due to the strike.

More news and info

• Biden gives son Hunter 'unconditional' pardon (BBC News)

• Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening (CTV Regina)

• Tories opt against their own non-confidence motion, so privilege debate continues (Canadian Press)

• 'They're wasting it all': Poilievre rejects municipal calls for more infrastructure money (Orilla Matters)