The Sask. Party plans to hike costs with new fees on hunting, fishing, driving, and even applications for skilled international workers in in-demand sectors like healthcare.
“After promising not to hike costs in this budget, Scott Moe is once again reaching deeper into the pockets of Saskatchewan families and trying to hide it with a Friday news dump,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader.
“Moe is essentially targeting families who love this province by making it more expensive to go fishing, hunting, and put a vehicle on the road. At the same time, he’s adding new barriers for skilled workers we need in sectors like healthcare.
“Moe's already doubled the provincial debt, and instead of taking responsibility, he keeps sticking Saskatchewan families with the bill.”
The Moe government is forcing anglers to purchase what amounts to a second $40 fishing licence, after repeatedly jacking up the cost of fishing licences, as well as introducing new hunting fees.
Auto insurance deductibles will rise 36 per cent from $700 to $950. The government is also introducing a $15 fee to register a vehicle or renew a driver’s licence, a $5 fee to renew vehicle registration, and an additional $2 charge on driver’s licence payment transactions.
Skilled workers in healthcare, and other in-demand fields will now have to pay $500 to apply into the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
“Hidden tax and cost hikes just days after this Premier promised he would do no such thing,” Wotherspoon said. “Like the time he promised he wouldn’t hike power bills, only to jack them up weeks later.
“Saskatchewan people deserve a government that manages their money responsibly and keeps life affordable. After 20 years of this tired and out-of-touch government, the writing is on the wall and Saskatchewan people are bracing themselves for the costs of another mismanaged budget.”
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