March 27, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Moe to appear before Federal Finance Committee

Premier Scott Moe continues to apply pressure against the federal government to stop the planned increase to the carbon tax on April 1st. The increase would see the carbon tax go from $60/tonne to $80 a tonne.

In a statement released Tuesday on X, Moe said “I am requesting the opportunity to appear virtually before the Finance Committee no later than March 28, 2024, to make the case as to why the federal government must cancel the planned increase in the federal carbon tax, or better yet, eliminate the federal carbon tax entirely, on everything, for everyone.”

Moe’s wish was granted and he will appear virtually before the Finance Committee this morning at 9:00 am.

Premiers Danielle Smith of Alberta, Tim Houston of Nova Scotia and Blaine Higgs of New Brunswick also requested to testify before the committee. Seven provinces jointly oppose the April 1 increase to the carbon tax.

NDP continue push to pause gas tax

On the heels of Ontario Premier Doug Ford announcing his province will continue its pause on the provincial gas tax, Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP, too, have continued their push to pause the tax here in Saskatchewan.

For several months now, Ms. Beck has called for the Moe government to provide affordability relief to families by pausing the gas tax for at least six months. The tax was not paused in last week’s provincial budget.

Ontario’s gas tax is 5.7c/litre, while Saskatchewan’s gas tax is 15c/litre. Ontario stands to lose approximately $500 million in provincial revenue by not charging the tax.

In response to calls from the NDP to provide affordability relief, Mr. Moe has said that not collecting the federal carbon tax on home heating bills will save Saskatchewan families an average of $400/year.

(CTV News)

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Sask. Party nominates a candidate for Saskatoon University-Sutherland

The Saskatchewan Party hosted a contested nomination in Saskatoon last night. Ghislaine McLeod will be the candidate for Saskatoon University-Sutherland. Ms. McLeod is the Principal Consultant at Capital G Communications, and previously held board positions for the Saskatoon Health Region and Saskatoon Club. She beat one other candidate, Dale Hryenuik, after 7 months of campaigning.

McLeod is the 43rd candidate and the 11th woman nominated by the Sask Party ahead of the 2024 election.

The riding of Saskatoon University is currently held by NDP MLA Jennifer Bowes, who is not seeking re-election. The NDP has already nominated Tajinder Grewal as the candidate for this constituency. Dr. Grewal is a scientist at the University of Saskatchewan and is a previous candidate for the NDP.

The next nomination meetings happen tonight, when Saskatchewan Party members in Martensville-Blairmore will choose between Jamie Martens and Sunny Kals, and the NDP will nominate Wynn Fedorchuk in Canora-Pelly.

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Saskatoon city council to vote on key items today

The provincial election is not the only time voters will head to the polls this year. Saskatchewan’s municipalities will also be voting for Mayor and Council this fall. Saskatoon City Council raised property taxes by 6%, less than the originally proposed 18% increase, but many councillors will be facing the voting public with their decisions in November.

Saskatoon City Council will meet today and vote on a number of key issues. The first issue on the agenda is what to do with the nearly $10 million surplus. Administration is proposing to split the funds into reserves and the snow removal budget for next year.

Council will also vote on the Saskatoon Freeway Project. The project is expected to require 16 interchanges, five railway overpasses, at least two flyovers and one major river crossing. Some environmental groups oppose the project but the City is facing pressure to approve the freeway so developers can begin construction and planning for expansion.

(Saskatoon Star Phoenix)

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More news and info

• They voted for Trudeau before. Here’s why they’re choosing Poilievre now (Toronto Star)

• Province gives green light to Estevan MRI (CJME News)

• Register now for the Saskatchewan Public Affairs Forum on April 9th in Regina, hosted by the Saskatchewan chapter of Public Affairs Association of Canada!*

• Pancholi withdraws from NDP leadership race, says Nenshi has ‘more than doubled’ membership (Calgary Herald)

• Man with alleged Russian organized crime ties admits to defrauding Sask. ministry (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

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