As the number of construction jobs and the value of building permits continue to drop in the province, the Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the government to cancel its PST hike to construction labour.
“The Sask. Party’s PST hike has hurt our construction industry and its many skilled workers,” said NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “With jobs and major projects at stake, the Sask. Party government needs to finally admit the damage and reverse course.”
Statistics Canada reported today that the value of building permits in Saskatchewan is down 19 per cent year over year, including a 32 per cent decrease in residential construction. The largest decrease was in single-family homes as Saskatchewan had by far the worst month-to-month change in the value of permits for single-family homes in the entire country. The report shows that the value of permits for single-family homes in Saskatchewan has been on a downward trend since 2013.
“With 1,400 more jobs lost in construction compared to last year, we need to be looking at ways to bolster this important industry and create jobs,” Wotherspoon said. “A tax on builders is no way to jumpstart the construction projects that will boost Saskatchewan’s economy and retain the skilled labourers we need.”
Sask. Party Can No Longer Ignore Urgent Drug Crisis Sweeping the Province
REGINA - The Ministry of Health has issued a devastating overdose alert in Regina after police report 46 overdoses and four suspected overdose deaths between February 2 and February 9th, yet the Sask. Party continues to sit on its hands. There is no information on the drugs involved but the Ministry says the substances could include opioids.
Moe Desperately Spins Report That Actually Says Rent In Regina And Saskatoon Isn’t Affordable
REGINA – As Saskatchewan renters face the fastest-rising rents in the country and housing remains unaffordable, Scott Moe decided to take a victory lap on social media, declaring that “Saskatchewan’s housing affordability didn’t happen by accident.”
MLA Keith Jorgenson Holds Roundtable Discussion with Concerned Community
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on Scott Moe's Sask. Party government to reverse recent changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) that are preventing the vast majority of Ukrainians in Saskatchewan from accessing permanent residency.
Tenants Report Safety And Maintenance Violations, Including Finding A Harpoon In Communal Area
REGINA – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck joined a group of Regina seniors Monday to demand Scott Moe address the deplorable safety and maintenance issues in provincial government housing.