NDP Caucus

More cuts in Sask. Party’s unacceptable quarterly report

Posted: August 3, 2012 | E-mail this to a friend | Print view

The government’s first quarter financial report shows that Saskatchewan people will now be asked to pay more and get less in order to cover the Sask. Party’s mistakes and expensive spin.

The unacceptable Sask. Party report showed their budget projections are already short by $113.2 million only three months into the fiscal year.

“The Sask. Party already took a swipe at kindergarten classrooms, cut the film industry and took more from the pockets of seniors. Now they’re vowing to take another $55 million from everyday families to cover their mistakes,” said Trent Wotherspoon, NDP finance critic. “It’s mind-boggling that they won’t even be straight with everyday families about where they are making cuts.”

Since the annual budget, released in March, projected only a razor-thin $14.8 million surplus on a summary financial basis, there can be no doubt that Saskatchewan has a deficit and growing debt.

The NDP remains concerned that revenues may be even weaker than projected.

“The Sask. Party’s failure to make a budget work in our province’s relatively good economy is disappointing. Sadly, it’s Saskatchewan people who will pay the price,” said Wotherspoon.

Unfortunately, the Sask. Party continues to report only on a General Revenue Fund basis, out of line with accounting standards and the rest of Canada.

“The Sask. Party is not being straight about the cuts and they’re not being straight about our finances,” said Wotherspoon. “This financial report would not be acceptable anywhere else in Canada. Saskatchewan people deserve the full, true picture of their finances and not the budgetary games and spin the Sask. Party offers up.”

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