With new data showing ongoing damage to the construction industry as a result of the Sask. Party’s expansion of the PST to construction labour, the NDP is calling on the government to undo the damage by walking back their tax hike.
According to Statistics Canada, there has been a 25 per cent reduction in the value of building permits since the Sask. Party hiked the PST on construction labour in April 2017.
“At a time when families and our economy are struggling, the Sask. Party let people down by expanding the PST, which continues to wreak havoc on our economy,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “It’s time for a government that will put the hard-working people of this province first and reverse this decision.”
According to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the Sask. Party’s PST hike was flagged as a “barrier to competitiveness” that cost companies in the middle of construction projects millions of dollars they hadn’t budgeted for, and has contributed to stunted growth in the construction industry in Saskatchewan. The Chamber also observed that there was “little to no consultation or notification before the PST changes were announced.”
“We have lost 300 jobs in the construction industry over the last year alone, and 3,200 jobs since August 2017,” Wotherspoon said. “We want to see Saskatchewan companies hiring Saskatchewan workers to build for our province’s future, but the Sask. Party is losing jobs and driving away investment. People deserve better.”
Sale Could Drive Up Costs for Land Sales, Real Estate Transactions
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is raising major concerns ahead of legislation that will potentially pave the way for the sale of Information Services Corporation (ISC) to a private owner.
Critical Bill From Beck’s Team Passed Key Hurdle Last Week
REGINA — Today, in Question Period, Carla Beck’s team will call on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to immediately pass legislation requiring lifesaving real-time reporting of emergency room closures.
Scott Moe’s Plan Is Costliest, Riskiest & Will Double Power Bills
YORKTON – Families and businesses in Yorkton will benefit from a more affordable and reliable energy future under Carla Beck’s Grid and Growth Plan.
Moe Supported Legislation From Rural & Remote Health Shadow Minister Jared Clarke At Second Reading
PRINCE ALBERT — Legislation from Carla Beck’s team that cleared a major hurdle last week is critical to addressing the healthcare crisis in rural communities, in Saskatchewan’s North, even in Scott Moe’s own riding.