April 2, 2024 | Advertise with us

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The Story of Session so far

To date, The SKoop Political Briefing has chosen not to provide a blow-by-blow account of each day’s Question Period during the spring legislative session. That’s mostly because, in our experience, the daily Question Period and legislative proceedings matter little to regular voters and folks outside of politics. Plus, you can just follow some press gallery reporters like the CP’s Jeremy Simes for his live-tweeting from Question Period.

Instead, we have been focusing on the major stories stories each day as well as the trends that may matter the most leading up to this fall’s election, in addition to nominations and what the political parties are up to.

However, it’s important to keep an eye on the themes and topics during session, especially what the government and opposition both are focusing on.

Beyond the customary chirps from both sides of the aisle, here’s what’s been the focus so far:

Cost of living and affordability. Every single day of session so far has seen Question Period kick off with NDP leader Carla Beck asking the government different versions of the same question: when the government will pause the provincial fuel tax? Premier Moe and his team have said in response that not collecting the carbon tax on home heating is better than pausing the gas tax. The theme of cost of living is the primary focus of the opposition because it has consistently polled as a top issue facing Saskatchewan people.

Health care. Another theme of session has been healthcare. The NDP has raised concerns facing nurses, access to rural healthcare, and mental health and addictions. The government has announced a new breast health center and additional addictions treatment beds.

Education. Of course, the ongoing (and now long-running) battle between the provincial government and Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation over a new contract and its details has been a frequent theme during Question Period. With classroom size and complexity supports continuing to be key in the standoff, the NDP has called for the government to listen to teachers and add these items to the contract. Perhaps a week off (schools are also on holiday this week) will cool everyone’s jets and a deal can be reached soon.

The carbon tax. The provincial government has made national headlines over the last month as Premier Scott Moe opposes the federal carbon tax. The government has successfully wedged the NDP on this issue as the party voted in support of the government’s bill to allow SaskEnergy to remit the carbon tax.

Budget 2024-25. Of course, another major theme from session so far is the government’s budget. The Saskatchewan Party team has focused on record investments in health and education, and increases in municipal revenue sharing. Debate over the budget will continue when session returns next week, and ministry estimates get underway.

If you want to catch up on Question Period without having to find your way through the Legislative Assembly website maze, The Mace is an excellent YouTube channel to check out (we are not affiliated with The Mace and have no idea who runs their account).

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Mayoral election off to the races in Saskatoon

Cary Tarasoff has become the first person to officially announce their intention to run for Mayor of Saskatoon. Tarasoff finished 4th in the 2020 election with 2,650 votes. He is running on a platform of finding efficiencies and cutting waste.

Incumbent Mayor Charlie Clark announced he would not be seeking a third term as Mayor. Until now, there has only been speculation as to who will look to occupy the Mayor’s chair. It’s expected that Saskatchewan Party MLA Gord Wyant will announce in the near future that he’s running. Councillor Cynthia Block and former Mayor Don Atchison are said to be considering bids, and former candidate Mark Zielke is also running for Mayor.

The municipal election is scheduled for November 13, 2024.

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Trudeau says Premiers would rather complain than find alternatives to carbon tax

Yesterday the federal carbon tax increased to $80/tonne. At a press conference in Scarborough, Prime Minister Trudeau told reporters that provinces always have the option to implement an alternative to the federal carbon tax if it is in alignment with federal targets.

“So, all those premiers that are busy complaining about the price on pollution but not putting forward a concrete alternative that they think would be better for their communities are just playing politics…They’d much rather try to complain about it and make political hay out of this.”

The press conference came after Liberal Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador called for a meeting between premiers and the Prime Minister.

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More news and info

• Manitoba NDP to announce first budget Tuesday (City News)

• Carbon Tax protestors slow traffic on Trans-Canada highway (CKOM News)

• Federal government commits to national school food program (CBC News)

• ‘It could mean another $40 a month’: Carbon price increase hits Saskatchewan (Global News)

• Regina police plane assists in high-speed chase leading to arrests (CTV News)

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