Originally slated for Regina’s Westerra neighbourhood, the Costco project was jeopardized when the Sask. Party tried to redirect the development to the troubled Global Transportation Hub (GTH). In a scramble to keep the retailer in the city, Regina was forced to offer a nearly $7 million incentive package — money that would have limited property tax hikes.
“The province pitted one level of government against another — and Regina families are paying the price,” said Trent Wotherspoon, Saskatchewan NDP Finance Shadow Minister. “This is a rip off of the property taxpayers of Regina by the Sask. Party government, plain and simple.”
The Saskatchewan NDP has launched a website — GTHOwesUs.ca — with a public petition demanding the Sask. Party pay back the people of Regina. Saskatchewan NDP MLAs have also been going door-to-door to collect physical signatures on a similar petition for months.
Regina’s city administration announced last month that it would need to increase next year’s property tax rate by 15.69 per cent to maintain current services.
Saskatoon’s city council has finalized a mill rate increase of 6.7 per cent in 2026 and 5.81 per cent in 2027, citing the “downloading” of responsibilities and costs from the provincial government as a major expense.
“The GTH has long been associated with scandal and mismanagement,” said Hugh Gordon, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister Responsible for the GTH. “This is just the latest, expensive chapter for the Sask. Party’s failed pet project.”
“Enough is enough — it’s time to focus on building a bright future of our province with a government at the helm that doesn’t waste money and rack up scandal after scandal,” said Erika Ritchie, Shadow Minister for Municipalities. “After 18 years of this government, Saskatchewan people can't afford another tax hike.”
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