New numbers from Statistics Canada today show that the value of building permits has plunged 57% year over year and that Saskatchewan had the greatest drop in the value of building permits of all the provinces.
Friday’s jobs numbers also show that there were 6,300 fewer construction jobs in January compared to last year, and a drop of 6,800 construction jobs compared to 2018.
With government-wide infrastructure spending falling each year for the past few years, projected to be down 44% from 2016, the outlook for Saskatchewan’s construction industry appears bleak if the Sask. Party doesn’t change course.
“The Sask. Party’s decision to add the PST to construction labour has slammed the brakes on an economy that was already struggling,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “We need an economy that works for people and keeps people working, which is why we’re committed to a Sask-First procurement policy that puts our workers and our companies to work building our schools, hospitals and roads. Together we can undo the damage the Sask. Party has done and create good jobs for Saskatchewan people.”
SASKATOON – Dozens of new Saskatchewan residents and young people joined the Saskatchewan NDP today to call out a Sask. Party proposal that would strip them of their voice in the political process.
REGINA – Today, the Saskatchewan NDP held a reception at the legislature to honour Brenda Reynolds, a status treaty member of the Fishing Lake Saulteaux First Nation. Reynolds is the first Indigenous person and first Canadian to receive the UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize which is awarded to two recipients every five years.