Today, Trent Wotherspoon, NDP Critic for Municipal Relations and Finance, called on the provincial and federal governments to provide additional funding as grants to help compensate for serious revenue losses and interest free loans to support property tax deferrals to municipalities impacted by COVID-19. The NDP is also calling for the provincial government to invest in Saskatchewan’s economic recovery by removing the PST from construction labour for municipal projects. 

“Mayors and councillors across our province are stepping up in so many ways to ensure people have the essential services they need as we all deal with the economic fallout from this pandemic,” Wotherspoon said. “But with facilities like rinks and swimming pools closed, and with far fewer people taking public transit, these local leaders are facing massive revenue shortfalls that they simply cannot respond to adequately on their own. The province needs to work with the federal government to support our cities, towns, villages and rural municipalities.”

Wotherspoon also called on the government to remove the PST from construction labour for municipal projects, describing the measure as an important investment in Saskatchewan’s economic recovery. 

“Municipalities have projects ready to go for this construction season, but because of the tax on construction labour, those construction dollars won’t go as far as they could,” said Wotherspoon. “As we look to rebuild our economy and create jobs in this summer construction season, we need the province at the table and working with local leaders on a plan that puts Saskatchewan people and jobs first.”