Saskatchewan’s low GDP growth highlights Sask. Party’s economic failings

Statistics Canada released a report showing Saskatchewan had the second lowest GDP growth outside of Atlantic Canada for 2017. Saskatchewan lagged behind with only a 2.9 per cent growth, while B.C. grew by 3.9 per cent and Alberta’s economy grew by 4.9 per cent.

“These numbers show exactly why people are leaving Saskatchewan to find better opportunities in other provinces,” said Finance Critic Cathy Sproule. “With PST being applied to more products such as used cars, children’s clothing and restaurant meals, the Sask. Party is making it unaffordable to live here. Combine that with minimal job growth and a minimum wage that barely covers the basics, it all leads to a suffering economy that’s been stifled by the Sask. Party.”

In the 2016/17 budget, PST was applied to construction contacts and other service contracts. This hit the industry hard and the province is now seeing a drop in construction activity by over three per cent.

Saskatchewan’s food industry has also been hurt by the Sask. Party’s PST hike, as sales have dropped, while in neighboring provinces, sales have increased.

“If we stay on the path the Sask. Party has put us on, the future looks bleak for 2018’s GDP growth,” said Sproule. “Several reports are predicting Saskatchewan will have one of the slowest growing economies once again. We need the Sask. Party to do better for the people of our province and work for job growth and economic prosperity.”

Latest posts

Undergraduate Students In Saskatchewan Are Paying The Second-Highest Tuition Canada 
REGINA – Today, as a new post-secondary school year begins, Carla Beck's team is standing alongside students to call out the extreme cost of tuition in Saskatchewan after 20 years of this Sask. Party mismanagement and failure to fund post-secondary. 

Carla Beck’s Team Calls On Local MLAs To Stand Up To Premier, Education Minister & Demand Answers 
PRINCE ALBERT— As Scott Moe and his Education Minister stand behind a decision to completely withhold information on the state of Saskatchewan schools, Carla Beck’s team is calling out Sask. Party MLAs in Prince Albert to demand transparency for the families they were elected to represent. 
Wednesday Marks First Day Of School For Many Saskatchewan Students 
SASKATOON — Saskatchewan families and school divisions deserve answers about the condition of their schools, but the Sask. Party government has once again chosen secrecy over transparency, returning 160 blank pages in response to a Freedom of Information request seeking information about the state of school buildings across Saskatchewan. 

Sask. Party Awards Contracts To Two Out-Of-Province Companies Even In Face Of Massive Costs For Consumers, Widespread Pushback 
REGINA – Despite an avalanche of public outrage against Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison's coal catastrophe, the Sask. Party government is pressing ahead.  While every independent report, and their own appointed Rate Review Panel, have made clear that their coal plan is the most expensive and highest risk option, Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison are ploughing ahead.  

Share this post