NDP call for PST hike on construction labour to be scrapped

With the damage continuing to accumulate from the Sask. Party government’s decision to add PST to construction labour, the NDP is repeating its call for the policy, which is helping drive that industry into ‘deep recession,’ to be reversed.

“This is an industry that should be driving our economy and creating lots of good jobs in the trades, but the province threw a wrench in the engine by adding the PST to construction labour,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “In March we saw 1,400 jobs lost in construction year over year; in April we saw 1,800 construction jobs lost compared to the year before. These are good mortgage-paying jobs that are being lost and good people being hurt because of this government’s damaging decision.”

Written questions submitted by the NDP show that government revenue collected from the construction industry has fallen from $344.6 million in 2017-18 to $318 million in 2018-19 — another sign of the damage done to the industry. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada reported that the value of residential building permits in Saskatchewan is down over 18 per cent between February and March. Year over year the value is down nearly 45 per cent, which was one of the worst drops in the country.

“Workers and companies in the housing sector are hurting because of this PST hike by the Sask. Party,” Wotherspoon said. “They need to do the right thing, and scrap it immediately, so we can get this important industry back on track.”

Latest posts

CARLA BECK’S TEAM INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT ALL CANCER PATIENTS FROM MOE GOVERNMENT’S CRUEL PARKING FEES

REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team introduced legislation to reverse the Moe government's cruel decision to charge some cancer patients parking fees every time they visit a health facility for treatment.

SCOTT, WE’RE ASKING ABOUT THE POWER HIKES TODAY

Sask. Party Denied Rate Hike Rumours In December, Jacked Rates In January
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team will kick off Question Period Thursday asking, yet again, for Scott Moe to come clean on when he knew he was going to jack up power rates on Saskatchewan farms, families and small businesses by $136-million annually.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM STANDS WITH SASK POLY FACULTY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TO DEMAND AN END TO CUTS & LAYOFFS

More Than 100 Faculty Fired, Entire Health Information Management Program Shuttered While Scott Moe Sits On His Hands

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team stood with the president of the Faculty Association at Saskatchewan Polytechnic at the Legislature Wednesday to demand more funding and an end to a series of devastating layoffs.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM INTRODUCES BILL TO KEEP HEALTHCARE FREE AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN SASKATCHEWAN

New Legislation Would Block Extra Billing And Protect Saskatchewan’s Public Healthcare System

REGINA – As Scott Moe openly plots a move to two-tier, American-style private healthcare in Saskatchewan, Carla Beck’s team is introducing legislation to protect patients from having to pull out their credit cards at the doctor’s office by banning extra billing and access fees.