According to Canada’s Food Price Report, food prices in Saskatchewan are projected to rise by 4-6 per cent this year. Instead of taking action to ease the burden on families, the Saskatchewan Party continues to collect an estimated $25 million annually through its provincial sales tax on groceries.
At the same time, it was revealed Friday that the Scott Moe government will hike power and car insurance rates this year. Moe and his ministers also continue to lay tax after tax onto household expenses, and the government recently downloaded costs onto municipalities — a move that has directly contributed to significant property tax hikes in Regina, Saskatoon, and communities across the province.
Saskatchewan residents have also endured 41 consecutive months of rent increases, further stretching household budgets.
As a result, people in Saskatchewan are reporting higher financial anxiety than anywhere else in Canada. People are fleeing the province as Saskatchewan’s population declined for the first time last quarter in nearly two decades outside the pandemic.
“With the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, property taxes, and fuel all going up, people in our province are doing everything they can just to keep their heads above water,” said Carla Beck, Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP.
“It’s shameful that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party continue to tax groceries and kids’ clothing, while planning even more cost hikes on utility bills, property taxes, and everyday essentials. Scott Moe repeatedly stands in the Legislature and claims life is affordable here — who in the world is he talking to? It certainly isn’t the people of Saskatchewan.”
The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for an emergency sitting of the Legislature, starting immediately, to pass The Rent Control Act, cut the PST on groceries and kids’ clothing, and to consider any additional measures aimed at lowering the cost of living and giving families real relief.
For a family of four, a four per cent increase in food prices projected for 2026 will mean nearly $1,000 more per year at the grocery store — money that many families simply do not have.
Rather than standing up for renters and working families, the Sask. Party has repeatedly sided with profit-driven corporate landlords and refused to pass legislation introduced by the Saskatchewan NDP to finally bring rent control to the province.
“Let’s stop pandering to corporate landlords and start standing with hardworking Saskatchewan people,” Beck said. “People are leaving this province in droves because of the Sask. Party is taking us in the wrong direction. It’s time to make life more affordable and change that.”
-30-
SCOTT MOE’S CRUEL POLICY MUST BE REVERSED IN UPCOMING BUDGET
PRINCE ALBERT – Carla Beck is standing with former city councilor and terminally ill cancer patient Dennis Ogrodnick as he leads the charge to axe Scott Moe’s heartless parking fees for cancer patients.
Violent Crime Jumps 13% While Moe And His Minister Sit On Hands
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is demanding that Scott Moe and Community Safety Minister Michael Weger act immediately to address shocking crime increases in Saskatoon.
Electronic Systems Engineering Students Forced to Relocate after Sask. Party Funding Cuts
SASKATOON – Scott Moe and the Sask. Party’s cuts are tearing students away from their homes and families as Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s electronic systems engineering technology (ESET) program is being forced to abruptly relocate from the Saskatoon campus to Regina.
Moose Jaw Library Sees Harmful Impact of Stagnant Funding Over 15 Years
MOOSE JAW – The Saskatchewan NDP is joining calls for sustainable funding as the head of a Moose Jaw library said a lack of support from Scott Moe and the Sask. Party is forcing them to cut back.