Premier Roy Romanow is like the captain of the Titanic, said the Saskatchewan Party, as a new session of the legislature began March 9.
“Both were arrogant enough to think they were invincible, and both were so out of touch with what was really going on that they simply didn’t realize the dangers that lay ahead,” said leader Ken Krawetz.
The throne speech read by lieutenant-governor Jack Wiebe makes it clear the government has no plan for navigating through the icebergs of high taxation, declining health care and education, crown corporation mismanagement and lousy highways, Krawetz said.
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The speech outlined the NDP government’s priorities of investing in families, jobs, education and training, health care and transportation. However, until the budget is announced March 19, the details are unclear.
Both the Saskatchewan Party and the Liberals said investment in families should come through tax relief.
“One obvious omission in today’s throne speech is any mention of tax relief,” said Liberal leader Jim Melenchuk. “We hope on budget day this government will demonstrate some vision by providing relief from this tax assault while meeting the needs of Saskatchewan people.”
He also said people need a commitment from government to twin the Trans-Canada Highway. Romanow said he would “keep on Ottawa’s tail” for a national transportation program.
“In the meantime, our province will tackle this challenge our way,” Wiebe said in the speech.
“My government will work in close partnership with the rest of our community – including farmers, local governments and councils, rural businesses and other concerned parties – to wisely invest the funds we have, and to explore our alternatives like short-line railways, alternative routes and corridors, and other strategies.”
Sinclair Harrison, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said there has to be more funding for Saskatchewan roads this year.
Too little too late
“We can’t wait any longer,” he said. “They talk about investing in people. If people can’t get to where they’re going it doesn’t matter how much you invest, it’s not going to help.”
Harrison said road funding has to increase from the current $20 million to $56 million.
At least two pieces of agricultural legislation will be brought forward during the session.
The On-Farm Quality Assurance Programs Act and amendments to the Animal Products Act will come forward early in the session, said agriculture minister Eric Upshall.
“With (the quality assurance) legislation, what we’re trying to achieve is to determine who can and cannot process products, what the fines are, what the process will be in order to make sure that our product comes from the farmgate to the consumer, no matter what part of the world it’s in, in a manner that is of top quality,” he said. “We understand that if we want to be in the game of exports we have to do these things.”
The legislation will enable product identity from producer to consumer.
The Animal Products Act amendments will deal with inspection of livestock and processing plants.
Upshall also said an approval process for large intensive livestock developments should be announced within four or five weeks.
