MLA Report didn’t tell the whole Saskatchewan story

By Letter to the Editor on January 13, 2020.

Recently Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes wrote an MLA Report and praised the Saskatchewan government for its balanced budget. It is true that they are anticipating a $300 million surplus. Barnes attributes this to the hard work of Saskatchewan conservatives controlling spending, particularly in remuneration to public sector workers. This, although true, only considers a small strategy employed by the Saskatchewan government.

Barnes fails to mention the 6% sales tax, which is an increase from the previous 5% and is applied to many more things like restaurant meals. This sales tax generates about $3 billion a year. He fails to mention that the corporate tax rate is being increased to 12% up from 11% in 2017. He fails to mention that the personal income tax rate, on the first $45,000 is 10.5%, on the next step to $129,214 is 12.50%, and the Alberta rate, on the first $131,220 is 10%.

There are other things: Saskatchewan’s budget has oil prices at an average of $59 a barrel while the Alberta’s budget has the average at $57 a barrel. Time will tell who is correct.

After careful scrutiny of the facts, ask yourself: Is the Saskatchewan government so wonderful? Barnes should have the moral decency and responsibility to tell the whole truth when discussing a topic otherwise his diatribe is mere propaganda. Throughout history propaganda has always been a lie.

Jim Schmid

Medicine Hat

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