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 WANTS ANSWERS ON WHO WILL PAY TO POWER DATA CENTRE JUST OUTSIDE REGINA

Scott Moe, Sask. Party Continue To Hide Details On Impact Of Massive Project

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team has written to the president and CEO of SaskPower seeking full transparency on how the new AI Data Centre project in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, just outside of Regina, will be powered, who will pay to power it and more.

BIG RIVER SAWMILL CURTAILMENT LATEST IN SERIES OF SCOTT MOE FAILURES, BROKEN PROMISES ON FORESTRY

Jobs Lost, Communities Take Major Hits As Data Shows Forestry & Logging Activity Shrinking Under Sask. Party
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is calling out Scott Moe for failing to support Saskatchewan’s forestry sector — and the communities and workers relying on it — in the wake of a major curtailment at sawmill in Big River, announced Thursday.

SCOTT MOE’S TRADE MINISTER TELLS PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET TO SUCK IT UP

Warren Kaeding Tells Podcast Audience Those Complaining About Affordability They’re Lucky They Weren’t Living In The 1980s
REGINA – Scott Moe’s out-of-touch Trade Minister has dismissed widespread concerns among Saskatchewan people about the sky-high cost of living, saying things were much worse 40 years ago.

CARLA BECK'S TEAM SOUNDS ALARM AS SASKATCHEWAN LOSES 6,900 JOBS IN FIRST HALF OF 2026

Prince Albert & Northern Saskatchewan Hit Particularly Hard With 2,400 Jobs Lost

PRINCE ALBERT – Carla Beck's team is calling out Scott Moe for failing Saskatchewan workers, as the province lost nearly 7,000 jobs over the first half of 2026.

NDP Caucus Office