Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Saskatchewan 26e 2e Discours sur le budget 18 mars 2009 Rod Gantefoer Ministre des Finances Saskatchewan Party Mr. Speaker, today it’s my honour and privilege as the Minister of Finance to present our government’s second provincial budget to the people of Saskatchewan. This provincial budget comes at a time of global recession, a complete 180-degree shift from one year ago. The tides began to turn last fall when the US [United States] housing crisis tipped the global economy into a free fall. The world economy is shaken and we can spot damage from every vantage point. To the east, to the south, and even west of our borders, economies are shrinking, jobs are being lost, and governments are plunging into deficit. Here in Saskatchewan we’re not immune to the economic turmoil. We have felt the effects, but compared to what is going on in the rest of the world, Saskatchewan has a different story to tell. At a time when others are experiencing economic decline, we are forecasting economic growth. While others are shutting down factories and cutting their workforce, we’re looking for workers and showing an increase in employment. While others are lamenting lack of opportunity and are mulling greener pastures, more people are moving to Saskatchewan and our population is growing. So we’re optimistic but cautious. Our economy is strong. The job of this government and the job of this budget are to make sure that it stays that way. Even before this budget, even before the full effects of the recession were being felt throughout the world, our government was taking action to prepare for what was the coming storm. We cut taxes. We invested in infrastructure. We provided economic stimulus and funded shovel-ready projects before these became the buzzwords of governments throughout North America. And it appears to be working. In a recent economic outlook, the Conference Board of Canada predicted, and I quote, “massive income tax cuts, combined with a swift increase in infrastructure spending” will help keep Saskatchewan out of recession and give our province the highest growth rate of any province in Canada in 2009. But even more important than economic forecast and predictions about GDP growth is the fact that these measures will help Saskatchewan people. This year a family of four with a combined income of $60,000 or more will save over $1,700 in tax cuts and benefit increases. A family of four with $35,000 income will save over $2,600. A single parent of two school-aged children and a $35,000 income will save more than $2,800. And a senior couple with a $25,000 income will save nearly $2,200. And putting more money back into the hands of Saskatchewan people will keep our economy strong. Our government also believes in paying down debt. When mighty financial institutions abroad were collapsing under the weight of their debt load, our government announced we were cutting the province’s debt by $2.6 billion — almost 40 per cent. That means less money leaving our province in interest payments and more money that will stay in Saskatchewan to help build our province. And we are, in a very real sense, building our province. Last spring we announced the $1 billion ready-for-growth initiative — the largest investment in infrastructure in Saskatchewan’s history. And last fall the Premier announced we were going to increase our investment in infrastructure to $1.5 billion in 2009. $500 million of this investment was unveiled last month in our economic booster shot — better schools for our children, better long-term care facilities for our seniors, better municipal infrastructure for our communities, safer highways for our drivers, more affordable housing for those in lower incomes, and more jobs to build each of these much-needed projects. The record tax cuts for Saskatchewan people, the record investment in the ready-for-growth initiative, have helped keep our economy strong and steady. And today we take the next step. I think every other Finance minister in the country would be delighted to be standing in my shoes today and be able to say the following — our new budget is a balanced budget. This new balance is built on strong but cautious revenue estimates. We don’t expect to see the massive jump in provincial revenues that we enjoyed last year. However, this year we’re expecting revenues to be up by $1.3billion from the 2008-2009-budget estimate. Still, even using cautious estimates, we’re able to move forward on many important initiatives and fulfill our campaign commitments within a balanced budget. Here in Saskatchewan, education property taxes have been too high, for too long. That’s why, during the 2007 campaign, the Premier and our party promised a long-term solution to this problem. He promised a solution based on three principles: a fair balance for education funding, ensuring that K to 12 [kindergarten to grade 12] education was properly funded, and a 2364 Under the new system, the province will cut and cap education property tax rates for each of the three major property classes: residential, agricultural, and commercial. $103 million or 14 per cent in 2009, compared to last year, will reduce the overall amount of tax paid by property owners to fund education. This represents the largest education property tax cut in a single year in the province’s history. In turn, the provincial government will increase its share of funding to school divisions by just over $240 million this year. As a result, the province will fund about 63 per cent of the operating cost of pre-K [pre-kindergarten] to grade 12 educations, up from last year’s provincial funding of 51 per cent. A further $53 million will further reduce the educational property tax next year, with the province assuming an offsetting share of the funding. At that point, the provincial government will be funding about 66 per cent, two-thirds of the cost of education. The actual amount of property tax relief will vary greatly from school division to school division and from property to property. That’s because today we have a patchwork quilt of education tax rates across the province. People in some parts of Saskatchewan are paying much higher education tax rates than people in other parts of the province. It would be like paying a different PST [provincial sales tax] rate every time you went to a store in a different town. As we move to a fairer system and uniform rates across the province, those who are paying disproportionately high education taxes under the old system will see a larger tax cut. The vast majority of Saskatchewan property owners will pay less education tax under the new system. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, today’s announcement fulfills the Premier’s commitment to a fair balance for education funding to properly fund education and to significantly reduce the education portion of property tax. And that’s not all. Our government will continue to improve the competitiveness of Saskatchewan as a place to do business. This budget will introduce a progressive three-rate structure to determine the education property tax on commercial property so that small businesses will pay a lower mill rate. Mill rates will be applied consistently across Saskatchewan to promote equity for all businesses, while meeting the government’s tax relief commitment. The report prepared by the member for Rosetown-Elrose formed the basis of today’s announcement. I would like to thank . . . I would like to thank that member and the Deputy Premier, the Minister of Education, for countless hours of hard work in developing this new budget and new balance for education funding in our province. Mr. Speaker, during the 2007 campaign, the Premier made another important commitment to Saskatchewan municipalities. He said our government would introduce a new revenue-sharing deal with municipalities tied to the province’s own-source revenues. Today we are keeping that promise. In this budget, we’re introducing a new municipal operating grant program. This program will provide funding support equal to 90 per cent of 1 per cent point of the provincial sales tax. This is the first step in our plan to provide municipal operating grants based on one full point of the PST. We’ll bump it to a full one-percentage point next year. In this budget, municipalities will receive nearly $170 million to continue fixing sewer systems, upgrading streets, improving parks, and enhancing public buildings. And that’s on top of the $100 million in one-time municipal infrastructure funding the Premier announced last month. This is what municipal leaders wanted — to tap into a predictive revenue source — and it’s what we have delivered. Last year we announced $1 billion in our ready for growth plan to rebuild schools, improve hospitals and health facilities, upgrade roads and highways. We said, let’s get to work. Last month we announced a $500 million economic booster shot to get dollars flowing swiftly to our municipalities, our communities, and our people. They put these much-needed infrastructure dollars directly into the hands that needed it — the hands that swing the hammers, that dig the dirt, that keep our economy moving forward every day. But we aren’t finished yet. There’s still more to do. Today our government is dedicating another $1 billion to keep building on what we’ve already begun to keep our province moving forward strong and steady. This $1 billion will fix more roads and more schools and health care facilities. It’ll expand childcare centres in Saskatchewan and improve our post-secondary system. And this $1 billion investment will create more affordable housing and a better life for all Saskatchewan people. This additional funding brings us to $2.5 billion in capital funding in just two years. This is a solid investment that’ll pay off many dividends in the future. When it comes to new buildings, new roads, new facilities, these amenities are wonderful. But what matters most is the people that they serve. That’s why our government will invest in our infrastructure system and our people. Our government-balanced budget will also support and enhance key priorities and key programs for Saskatchewan people. We’re building on our promise for stronger, safer communities. Our government will continue to take action to crack down on crime. This year we’ll hire 30 more police officers to add to the 30 new officers we added last year, steadily working toward our commitment of 120 new officers by 2012. We’re building on our promise to get tough on gangs. Gang violence in Western Canada is a serious problem. Our government will deliver funding for a Western Canadian gang database to share knowledge on criminal activities. Our government will build on our promise to reach out to the most vulnerable in our society. Our government will continue to address wait-lists in the community living division by expanding these facilities and creating more spaces for those with disabilities. We provide over $27 million in additional funding for community-based organizations. This year’s budget will support firefighting efforts up north by dedicating nearly $30 million to continue modernizing the water bomber fleet. And we’ll equip volunteer fire departments across the province with new radios linking them to the new provincial emergency radio network. Our government is building on our promise for a better life for all Saskatchewan children. We’re creating 1,000 new childcare spaces in Saskatchewan for children of parents who work outside the home. And over $12 million is added funding, which will go toward space expansion, training programs, and increased pay for early learning and childcare workers. We’re delivering on our promise to provide $18 million for the active families benefit, to help parents that enrol their children in healthy, engaging activities. Our government will launch a multi-year $25 million strategy to give attention to our youngest citizens at risk. And we’re taking one more important step for the children of our province. Today I am pleased to announce that we will deliver on our province for a new children’s hospital in Saskatoon. $200 million over two years will be provided for construction in this facility, dedicated to the health and well being of Saskatchewan’s youngest citizens. We’re building on our province to invest in education and skills training. We’ll dedicate over $23 million to enable universities to limit tuition increases to an average of just 3 per cent. This budget will enhance our student aid program to make education more accessible to those whose minds are rich with unlimited potential and thirst for knowledge. And our government will continue to ensure that eligible post-secondary students have the opportunity to have up to $20,000 in tuition reimbursement through the most aggressive youth retention plan in Canada, our graduate retention program. Funding for this program will be increased by $6.5 million this year to reflect the growing number of post-secondary graduates who will qualify by simply choosing to start their careers and build their lives in Saskatchewan. Our government is building on our promise to support more training seats for doctors and nurses. We’ll provide $23 million this year on a comprehensive plan to attract more nurses and other hard-to-recruit health professionals to Saskatchewan and keep them here. This budget will also provide more funding to recruit more physicians to our province. To broaden the scope of opportunities in Saskatchewan, we’re building on our promise to invest in an Aboriginal workforce development fund. This program highlights new employment opportunities for those of First Nations and Métis heritage. Our government will invest in a new regional college buildings in Niacin and Humboldt to ensure distance does not hinder the chance to further one’s education. We’ll also improve funding for our library system so it’ll continue to be an up-to-date resource for all our citizens. We’ll dedicate increased funding to advance the Intevac project at the University of Saskatchewan. Our people at Intevac are considered world leaders in the field of vaccination technology, striving to make breakthroughs in vaccines for people and animals. We’re proud of their efforts and their achievements. This budget will follow through on the increase of 1,100 apprenticeship-training seats. We’ll build on our promise to pilot new health initiatives to better care for our people. We’ll introduce a three-year plan to encourage people to quit smoking, especially our youth, before the grip of addiction can take hold. Our government will continue to fund a study that combines stroke prevention and proved rehabilitation methods. And we’ll support improved infection control measures through regional health authorities. We’ll develop a province-wide mental health strategic plan to assist those struggling with overwhelming symptoms and illnesses too often dismissed because they can’t be easily seen. And plans are under way for new First Nation and Métis consultation and health plan. We’re building on a promise to keep our economy strong. This budget delivers on our province to dedicate millions towards improving our road and highway network across the province. With federal partnership, twinning efforts will be stepped up on the busy lanes of Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Prince Albert to be completed in just four years. A new bypass road to connect Highways 1 and 11 will be constructed outside of the Queen City. This will support the tremendous development around a new container shipping facility — the global transportation hub. This budget will provide for a new bridge at St. Louis, a Levin Drive interchange in Regina, and a truck bypass in Yorkton. We are fixing what was once voted the worst highway in Saskatchewan, and providing funding to upgrade Highway 368 near St. Brieux to provide . . . To provide the safe and solid road that residents, the local industry have wanted and needed for years. We’re building Highway 32 near Leader. Over $40 million . . . Over $40 million will help rehabilitate municipal roads to better support the heavy traffic of a growing economy. We’re building on our promise to enhance the Saskatchewan research and development tax credit, making it fully refundable to provide financial support and incentives to the leaders in innovation in our province. This will help . . . This will help bridge the financial gap between initial research and commercial development. And this budget will also attract investments in Saskatchewan-based small- and medium-sized business. A tax credit that supports the federal labour-sponsored venture capital corporation will be increased to match the existing rates for similar provincial funds. Our government will continue to support those who enhance and diversify our economy. We’ll support an enterprise regions program that encourages regional economic development, and we’ll support a western-based partnership agreement, also designed to encourage economic growth right here in Saskatchewan. Our government will expand and broaden its reach by creating northern enterprise regions to support economic development in the far North districts of our province. We’re building on our promise to improve support programs for farmers and ranchers — over $100 million of new dollars to fulfill our promise to fully fund our share of the AgriStability and AgriInvestment programs. . And another $25 million to fulfill our commitment to improve crop insurance for farmers. We’ll broaden our pest management control programs. We’ll launch a water study to ensure Saskatchewan people have access to this basic necessity of life for today and for tomorrow. We’re building on our promise for a greener Saskatchewan. We’ll continue to support innovations in the capture and storage of CO2 emissions. This year alone we’ll commit over $17 million towards these and other key go green initiatives. We’re building on our promise to keep life affordable. Our government will begin an ambitious project to renovate government-subsidized rental housing by making these units more environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and yet still affordable. Millions of dollars in funding will better adjust shelter rates for income assistance programs. We’ll also increase transit support for the disabled, and we’re building on our promise to help senior citizens by increasing monthly support to seniors to help them cover rising costs. Today our government has set a course for a strong and steady Saskatchewan. After so many years of losing people to other provinces, after so many years of trailing the pack, Saskatchewan’s time has come. There are those who have said that Saskatchewan today is an economic star of our country. If that is the case then let’s make sure it’s the right kind of star. Not a shooting star burning bright for an instant and then fading way, but let us be a North Star, the one that you can set your compass by. Strong and steady, Saskatchewan will navigate through the choppy waters ahead. By sticking to a solid economic plan, by remaining sound fiscal managers, we will stay on course. We will stay strong and steady through meaningful tax reductions, like the largest education property tax cut in Saskatchewan history. We’ll stay strong and steady through meaningful infrastructure projects, which keep our province working and keep our economy moving forward. We’ll stay strong and steady through meaningful investments in Saskatchewan people, in families, in students, in children, in seniors, in First Nations and Métis people, in those from rural and urban Saskatchewan. Because when you think about it, where does this province get its strength? Really, that’s easy. The answer is right in the province’s motto — from many peoples, strength. Today I’m honoured to deliver a budget that builds on the strength of the people, all of the people, of our great province. And while I’m sure we’ll face some challenging days ahead, is there anywhere on earth that you would rather be living today than our Saskatchewan — the best province in the best country of the world. And so, Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to move, seconded by the member from Rosetown-Elrose: That this Assembly approves in general the budgetary Policy of the government.