REGINA - In view of the increased and record first quarter earnings of Saskatchewan’s two largest Potash companies, Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon called on the government to immediately implement a windfall profit resource surcharge to deliver a cost-of-living dividend to address the affordability crisis.
“The Sask. Party is raising taxes and hiking utility fees at a time when more people are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Wotherspoon. “Saskatchewan people need a government that will make life easier and more affordable, not one that doesn't care enough to offer financial relief during a cost-of-living crisis.”
First quarter performance reports from Saskatchewan’s two largest potash companiesreveal increased and record earnings despite reduction in volumes sold. A report released by the World Bank last week indicates that this trend of windfall profits will likely continue as commodity prices are expected to remain high until 2024 as a result of the war in Ukraine.
“The unforgivable invasion of Ukraine has sent already strong profits in our resource sector soaring. Meanwhile, the people of Saskatchewan are struggling to keep up with the rising cost-of-living,” said Wotherspoon. “These resources belong to the people of Saskatchewan, and they deserve to share in these windfall profits. Our critically important energy and potash sectors can help in the economic recovery for all Saskatchewan people with a modest increase to the provincial resource surcharge on windfall profits. The wellbeing of Saskatchewan people and the future prosperity of our province depend on it.”
The Official Opposition calls on the government to add a 1 percent windfall profits surcharge when oil and potash prices exceed a windfall profits threshold. This small increase could add $250 million to provincial coffers this fiscal year for government to:
-30-
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.