Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Saskatchewan 23e 4e Discours sur le budget 26 mars 1999 Eric Cline Ministre des Finances Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Mr. Speaker, today, I present a Budget that charts our course into a new century. Before I do that, I want to take a moment to thank my wife Pauline for her support and encouragement, my constituents, my personal staff and the public service, my colleagues, and the thousands of Saskatchewan women, men and young people who contributed their thoughts and ideas during our pre-budget consultations. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan people are driven by a shared passion for moving forward together. This is one of our defining strengths. Pulling together is the way we get things done. It is the way we will pursue our dreams in the new century — our dreams for a Saskatchewan in which we all enjoy the benefits of community and the rewards of individual effort. Government’s role is to unite people in this pursuit. We can do more together than we can apart. The Foundation: Sound Financial Management Sound financial management is where we start. Saskatchewan people pay their bills. They expect government to do the same. In Saskatchewan, balanced budgets are now the rule, not the exception. In the 1980s, the government got it wrong. They mortgaged our future in favour of political self interest. They drove Saskatchewan to the brink of financial and economic disaster and put the services people count on in serious jeopardy. That is why Saskatchewan women and men chose our Premier and his team to work with them to get our Province back on track. Working together, Saskatchewan people took this Province from the worst financial position in Canada to among the best. Today, Saskatchewan’s record of balanced budgets is second to none. Today, it is with great pride I table Saskatchewan’s sixth consecutive balanced budget. This Budget includes a plan for three more balanced budgets. That is nine straight years of balanced budgets. And that is nearly a decade of paying down the 1980s’ debt. When former Finance Minister Ed Tchorzewski tabled our first Budget, he said: “Let us look forward to the day when we can tell our children that, though we entered the 1990s plagued by financial crisis, we made the difficult decisions. We turned a new page in our history and put this Province firmly on the path to prosperity.” Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, Saskatchewan people have made the difficult decisions. We have turned a new page. We are on the path to prosperity — moving forward, working together to build the economy we want and the society we dream of. In the 1980s, we saw how deficits, debt and mismanagement led to higher taxes, less investment, fewer jobs and economic stagnation. Building Our Economy: A Plan for Prosperity In the 1990s, we have seen how balanced budgets and responsible management translate into growing confidence, more jobs, lower taxes, more investment and more opportunities. From 1992 to 1997, Saskatchewan led Canada in economic growth. In 1998, employment reached its highest level in history. As we move forward, we face some tough challenges like low commodity prices and unstable international markets. But we are weathering this storm because our foundation is stronger than ever. Building on this strong foundation, our economy will continue to grow and diversify, creating more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people. Our Government set a goal of creating 30,000 new jobs by the year 2000. Some said it could not be done. But we are almost there. This Budget sets out our plan to create even more jobs by: • continuing to develop our key economic sectors; • building our transportation network; and, • investing in training and education for Saskatchewan people. Developing our key economic sectors Agriculture is one of our key sectors and our farmers are the best in the world. They have helped build our province, diversify our economy, expand markets and develop new industries like food processing, biotechnology and implement manufacturing. Today, unfair subsidy wars by foreign governments have driven down commodity prices. We must stand with our farmers — and, we will. To help them get through the recent slump in prices, we are providing $20 million in loan assistance to Saskatchewan hog farmers and $140 million to grain farmers under the Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance program. To better protect farmers against drought, hail and infestations, we expanded and enhanced our crop insurance program. We have reduced crop insurance premiums to farmers by 40 per cent since 1996. Recently, we announced an $85 million top-up for producers on their NISA accounts. We are now working towards improving NISA to make the program better for new and expanding producers. In addition to these initiatives, the 1999-2000 Budget continues to invest in research and development for new crops, new methods of farming, agricultural biotechnology and value added manufacturing and food processing industries. Last year, we invested nearly $14 million in agricultural research and development through the Strategic Research Program and the Technology Adoption and Demonstration initiative. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that we will increase our investment in these important initiatives by 26 per cent this year, for a total investment of over $17 million. The northern reaches of our province offer significant potential for development and growth. Here, too, there are challenges we must meet — challenges we will meet. This year’s Budget invests more in northern economic development, supports northern industries like tourism, forestry and Aboriginal business, and introduces a new royalty structure to encourage exploration and development of gold and base metals. Agriculture and natural resource industries will always be a crucial part of our economy. As we enter the 21st century, Saskatchewan people are making remarkable inroads in diversifying the economy and creating new opportunities. Our targeted tax strategy is key to continued diversification and we are working with business to provide the competitive tax structure needed for growth. The success of this strategy is reflected by manufacturing and processing companies all across the province, which last year employed over 31,000 Saskatchewan people — 31 per cent higher than in 1992. It is reflected by the film and video industry, which has doubled its production since the introduction of the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit in last year’s Budget. We are also encouraging investment in broad-ranging research and development in biotechnology, information technology and other highly competitive industries. As part of our renewed emphasis on research and development, we are working with the University of Saskatchewan to bring the Canadian Light Source synchrotron to the U of S campus. With this facility, Saskatoon will be one of only 10 synchrotron centres in North America — and the only one in Canada — bringing millions of dollars worth of new research to our province every year. We are also investing in other types of research to keep our economy strong. This year’s Budget includes funding for the new Petroleum Technology Research Centre in Regina — a centre that will design new ways to extract and refine Saskatchewan’s vast reserves of oil. We will continue to work with Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurs and small businesses to make it easier for them to build on their ideas and hard work. Cutting red tape, reducing regulations and partnering with regional associations around the province are all part of our plan to encourage small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that this Budget doubles the funding available through the Small Business Loans Association program to provide better access to start up and operating capital. Agriculture, natural resources, northern development, value added industries, research and development, local economic development and more support for small business are the keys to a prosperous, growing Saskatchewan. Building our transportation system The second part of our jobs and growth plan is about transportation. Saskatchewan must move goods to markets despite the huge challenge posed by changes in road and rail transportation. With the help of area transportation planning committees, communities, shippers and producers, we are building the transportation system of the future. We are offering interest-free loans for local groups to purchase and operate short-line railways. We are also investing more to modernize our road network. Between 1995 and 1998, our budgeted investment in roads and highways grew by 30 per cent — from $168 million to $219 million. I am pleased to announce that this Budget invests $235 million to continue modernizing our transportation system. Mr. Speaker, that is 40 per cent more than four years ago. This Budget includes an innovative new rural roads fund of $5 million. This fund will be used by the Department of Highways and Transportation to help municipalities meet our shared transportation challenges. This is in addition to the $19 million in revenue sharing grants that municipalities use for roads. I am also pleased to announce a new $10 million provincial-municipal infrastructure program to help northern, rural and urban municipalities address priority needs. We will be working with municipalities and area transportation planning committees to identify those priorities. This $10 million provincial investment, to be matched by local funds, amounts to an 18 per cent increase in municipal revenue sharing, bringing total revenue sharing to $66 million in 1999-2000. In addition, we will provide Saskatchewan municipalities with nearly $3 million in grants in lieu of property taxes — double last year’s amount — as we committed to do in 1998. Through all of these initiatives, we will work together to meet the challenge of addressing transportation and infrastructure needs in our province. Investing in Saskatchewan people The third part of our plan is making investments in the education and training of Saskatchewan’s number one resource — its people. Our province has a strong record of providing excellent education and training opportunities and we will make sure the focus stays where it belongs — on people. Today, we have over 190,000 students enrolled in our Kindergarten to Grade 12 school system, over 30,000 students in universities and over 23,000 people in provincial training and employment programs. The 1999-2000 Budget makes the largest investment ever in their future, which is our shared future. First, for the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system, this Budget provides more than $3 million this year to school boards through grants in lieu of property taxes — double last year’s amount. Operating grants to schools will increase by $13.5 million this year to strengthen pre-kindergarten programs, school curricula, community schools, school-based services and access to computers and the Internet. Just as last year’s Budget provided $24 million in capital funding for over 100 school improvement projects, this year’s Budget invests another $24 million in school capital. Mr. Speaker, that is a two-year total of $48 million to upgrade or build over 200 schools in Saskatchewan communities. As we enter the new millennium, provincial funding for Saskatchewan’s school system is more than $550 million — a significant investment in the high quality education and safe, healthy schools we want for our children and our future. Second, in post-secondary education and training, we will ensure Saskatchewan women and men have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. This Budget increases operating grants for SIAST and regional colleges by nine per cent. It increases operating grants for Saskatchewan universities and federated colleges to $184 million — an increase of seven per cent over two years. Like last year, it provides $3 million for the universities to revitalize and modernize scientific equipment and to make better use of shared resources. It invests $23 million — for a total of $46 million over two years — to rebuild and upgrade university, SIAST and regional college facilities. With this Budget, we are making a commitment to the University of Saskatchewan to rebuild the Thorvaldson and Kinesiology buildings. We are supporting the SIAST redevelopment project to integrate campus facilities and we are continuing to upgrade and renovate facilities at the University of Regina. In addition, I am pleased to announce we will be targeting new funding of $3 million to the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan to increase the number of doctors and surgeons in our province. Mr. Speaker, our universities — and the students who attend them — continue to benefit from the Province’s efforts in research and development. The new synchrotron, the petroleum research centre, investment in agricultural research and development and the 15 per cent research and development tax credit introduced in last year’s Budget will mean millions more dollars in funding and support for universities, now and in the future. In total, our investment in Saskatchewan’s universities, colleges and technical institutes this year will reach nearly $300 million. That is in addition to improvements we have made in our student aid program. With these improvements, about 3,500 students with children now have access to increased bursaries and study grants, directly reducing the amount they have to borrow. Moreover, this year, thousands of Saskatchewan people with student loans will be able to deduct the interest payments to reduce their income taxes. The third focus in education and training is our Saskatchewan Training Strategy. As we move into a new century, we are making major changes to the way we deliver the training Saskatchewan people need to upgrade their skills. I am pleased to announce that this Budget will invest $206 million in adult basic education, JobStart/Future Skills, Quick Skills, apprenticeship, income support and other training and employment programs designed to provide people with the skills they need for available jobs. In total, this Budget invests over $1 billion — our largest investment ever — in education and training to prepare Saskatchewan people for success in a rapidly changing, highly competitive, high-technology economy. Mr. Speaker, investing in education and training, building our transportation system and developing our key economic sectors — that is how we will create jobs and opportunities in the 21st century. Building Our Society: Investing in Services That Matter The strong foundation we have created together in the 1990s also allows us to build a progressive, inclusive society — one in which we care for one another and share responsibility for the well-being of all. That is the Saskatchewan we grew up in. That is the Saskatchewan we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in. Caring for one another means providing public services that matter to people: • to help children and families in need; • to provide for safety and security in our communities; and, • to ensure our health system is there when we need it. These are at the heart and soul of our quality of life. Helping children and families in need Saskatchewan has a proud tradition of caring for children in need and helping families stand on their own. In the 1990s, we led the way in encouraging the creation of a National Child Benefit to improve the lives of Canadian children. We are working with people in every Saskatchewan community to do even more for children and families. The Saskatchewan Action Plan for Children — one of this Province’s finest achievements — brings people in communities and governments together to provide, among other things: • school lunches; • immunization programs; and, • expanded community education. Today, I am pleased to announce a $14 million increase for the Action Plan for Children, bringing our total investment in this ground-breaking program to $67 million in 1999-2000. Saskatchewan people believe no child should go hungry or go without the guidance and support of family and community. Saskatchewan people also know the best way to prevent child hunger and need is by helping families become independent. Common sense says this: the best way to promote independence is to ensure parents have the opportunity and dignity of a job. Our Building Independence strategy put in place three additional key measures to ensure that parents can work: • a child benefit program to provide financial support outside the welfare system; • an employment supplement for low-income working families to help cover work-related costs; and, • supplementary health coverage to make sure children in low-income families have medical and dental benefits when their parents return to the workforce. This strategy has helped move more than 1,800 families off social assistance in the last year alone. By building independence, we can reduce caseloads, widen the circle of opportunity and make Saskatchewan a better place. Building stronger, safer Saskatchewan communities We also make it a better place when we ensure the safety of every person and the strength of every community. That means doing everything we can to reduce crime and make communities safer. I am pleased to announce that this Budget increases funding to the Department of Justice by $17 million — eight per cent more than last year — so they can do the important job Saskatchewan people want them to do. In 1999-2000, a total of $218 million will be targeted to the many vital services that are necessary to keep our communities safe, including Serious Crime units and our plan to deal with violent and repeat offenders. We will hold those few people who break the law accountable for their actions. But, Mr. Speaker, as I have already outlined, Saskatchewan is doing even more to target the very roots of crime. We are sharing the responsibility for — and the benefit of — a better society by lowering poverty, enhancing education, encouraging independence and creating opportunities. Improving and enhancing our health system Our belief in shared responsibility is a basic value which helps define us as a society. This, along with our belief in equal access, without discrimination on the basis of wealth, is also a basic value of our health care system. In an age of change and uncertainty, it is important to reaffirm our commitment to these values. That is why the number one priority of this Budget is health care. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that this year’s Budget contains the largest new investment in health in the history of the Province. In 1999-2000, Saskatchewan’s health budget will increase by $195 million — more than 11 per cent above last year’s Budget. Every penny of that new investment will go to improve health services for people. First, we will shorten waiting times for surgeries. Acting on the report of our Task Team on Surgical Waiting Lists, we will: • expand day surgery programs; • provide 24-hour access to follow-up care in home districts; and, • invest in more operating room hours, more surgical equipment and better systems to prioritize the needs of patients. Second, we will improve access to cancer treatment. I am pleased to announce that, in addition to reducing waiting times for surgeries, this Budget invests an additional $3 million to cover more cancer drugs and new programs for cancer treatment and prevention. Third, we will put more resources towards meeting the special health needs of women. This Budget invests in women’s health with increased funding for detection, prevention and treatment of diseases of particular concern to women, such as breast cancer and osteoporosis. Fourth, we will do everything we can to recruit and retain the health care providers we need and make health care a career of choice for more people in Saskatchewan. As previously indicated, this Budget targets an additional $3 million to the College of Medicine — a 15 per cent increase — to make sure Saskatchewan people have the doctors and surgeons needed in the system. Last year, we provided Rural Practice Establishment Grants to encourage Saskatchewan-trained physicians to practice medicine in rural Saskatchewan, and we will do the same this year. We will also continue to encourage recruitment and retention of rural physicians through the Medical Resident Bursary program, to increase the percentage of medical graduates who stay and work in Saskatchewan. Through initiatives like these, we saw 70 per cent of Saskatchewan’s new medical graduates practicing in the province in 1998 — double the number who stayed in the 1980s. A strong, effective health system means a commitment to the well-being of the people who care for us — our dedicated, professional health care providers. Since last year, we also funded 200 additional nursing positions in communities across the province. Our Government is determined to provide the best possible working conditions and compensation for nurses and other health professionals, to support the vital contributions they make to Saskatchewan people. This Budget will allow us to move forward on this issue in a way that is fair to health care providers and fair to Saskatchewan taxpayers. Shorter waiting times, improved access to cancer treatment, more women’s health services and better working conditions for health professionals to ensure better care — those are the priorities. This Budget also helps health districts prepare for a safe and smooth transition into the new century. I am pleased to announce a $50 million Millennium Fund for Medical Equipment and Technology to make sure vital components of medical technology, such as heart monitors, keep working when the year rolls over from 1999 to 2000. In addition to the items I have outlined, I am pleased to announce that this Budget provides funding for: • new hospitals in northern Saskatchewan — in Meadow Lake, Stony Rapids and La Loche; • improved nursing home and health facilities in Balcarres, Big River and Unity; • continued work on the Regional Care Centres in Battlefords, Melfort, Swift Current and Weyburn; • expanded diagnostic capacity, including operating funding for the MRIs in Saskatoon and Regina; • expanded CT capacity, including a portable scanner for southern Saskatchewan; • new bone density equipment to aid in the early detection of osteoporosis; • more services, such as cancer outreach treatments and kidney dialysis, in more communities; • expanded home care and mental health services; • enhanced pediatric transport for critically ill infants; and, • progress on the Northern Telehealth Project, to link health care providers in the north to specialists in major urban centres. Ultimately, we must all remain focused on the most important part of the health system — the people who use its services. Our top-quality, front-line health services are delivered through District Health Boards. To keep improving front-line services for people, I am very pleased to announce that District Health Boards will receive an increase in funding of $139 million this year — 12 per cent more than in last year’s Budget. Health districts must direct every possible dollar into frontline services. That is why we will continue to work with district boards to lower administrative costs, freeing up even more dollars for front-line services. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan people have been clear about what they want from their health system. This Budget delivers shorter waiting times, better cancer care, improved health services for women and better working conditions for health care providers — all to ensure the best possible health care services for Saskatchewan people. That is how our $1.9 billion investment — the largest investment ever — will move our health system forward into the 21st century. That is how we will continue to be true to the values which established the basis for Canadian Medicare in this legislative chamber 37 years ago. Building Our Future: Maintaining a Balanced Approach Mr. Speaker, sound financial management is the foundation on which we can build our economy and our society. We promised to pay down debt to reduce the mortgage on our children’s future — and, we have. In 1994, Saskatchewan’s debt stood at almost $15 billion. Today, it is about $11.5 billion — 23 per cent lower than in 1994 — and this Budget sets out a plan to continue to pay down the Province’s debt. We promised to invest in people to improve quality of life — and, we have. There are those who say we should slash taxes and slash spending. They are never very specific about the services they want to cut. Do they want fewer nurses, fewer teachers or fewer miles of highway? We are never told. Let us be clear. We want lower taxes, but we want to sustain public services and pay down the debt as well. Others say we should have tax cuts even if it means deficits and debt — sending the bill to the next generation. We on this side of the House are not among them. We are not in the business of buying people’s votes with their children’s money. We promised to cut taxes as soon as the Budget was balanced — and, we have. We have cut taxes every year since 1995, and we have done so in a sustainable, affordable, responsible fashion. Today, I am pleased to announce another sustainable tax cut — one that will further benefit Saskatchewan families, stimulate our economy and create jobs for a bright future. As of midnight tonight, we are cutting the Education and Health Tax rate from seven per cent to six per cent. Mr. Speaker, that is the lowest rate in 12 years. That is three percentage points off the sales tax in three years. That is $300 million a year back into the hands of families, businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, school boards and health boards right across the province. This is in addition to the $30 million Saskatchewan people will save in provincial income taxes resulting from the tax changes announced in the recent federal Budget. I want to restate our commitment to continue to cut taxes in a common-sense, balanced approach that also includes debt reduction and improved services. Our record on tax reduction is clear, and there is a pattern for all to see: • in 1995 and 1996, we reduced income tax and eliminated income taxes for 6,000 Saskatchewan people; • in 1997, we cut the sales tax rate to seven per cent; • in 1998, we reduced the Personal Income Tax rate from 50 per cent to 48 per cent; and, • in 1999, we cut the sales tax rate to six per cent. Mr. Speaker, since 1995, income taxes paid by the average Saskatchewan family have been reduced by over 10 per cent — and that is in addition to the 33 per cent reduction in sales tax. We will do more. During the pre-budget consultation, Saskatchewan people clearly stated that continued tax reduction is a priority. They were equally adamant that tax reduction should not proceed unless and until it is affordable — and not at the expense of essential public services, balanced budgets or continued debt reduction. Saskatchewan people want a balanced, responsible approach to lower taxes, as finances permit. That is our record. That is our plan. In addition to lowering taxes, we will continue to make our tax system simpler, fairer and more responsive to the needs of Saskatchewan people and the Saskatchewan economy. We have recently obtained the agreement of the federal government that the provinces can redesign their own income tax systems as early as the 2001 tax year. I am announcing today that, over the next twelve months, we will consult with Saskatchewan people on the design of a new system of income tax for Saskatchewan. We will continue our consultations on how to keep lowering taxes in balance with further debt reduction and enhancements to priority services like health and education. Our Obligation to the Future Mr. Speaker, as we cross into a new century, it is fitting that we look back with pride on what we have accomplished in the 1990s — and what we have accomplished in the 20th century. Working together, Saskatchewan people have built a province of which we can all be very proud. We have built a progressive, compassionate, prosperous and fair society — and a quality of life that is the envy of the world. In 1995, our Premier inspired us with these words: “Once again, we have launched our great province on a journey for human progress. We’ve made a powerful beginning. But there is much more to be done.” He was right. It is the obligation of every generation to leave this world better off than they found it. To do that, we must constantly build on our progress and pursue our dreams. In the Premier’s words: “The dream of ending poverty and want. The dream of keeping our youth at home with the best possible training and education and jobs. The dream of better care for our parents and grandparents. The dream of a safer world.” That is what Saskatchewan is about. That is what this Budget is about — moving forward on our journey for human progress and prosperity. Families, neighbours and communities - building our future together, the Saskatchewan way. Moving forward together, to keep our province the best place in all the world to live, to work and to raise a family.