Nuclear energy, tax cuts and privatized liquor sales were common themes as 160 university students pretended to be the Saskatchewan government earlier this month.
The University of Saskatchewan commerce students presented their plans April 2 as part of a class project that split them into three “political” parties.
“This year they looked at the barriers to growth in the province, taking a long-term view,” said their professor, Cathi Wilson-Loescher.
In past years, students participating in the project wrote a one-year government budget by crunching departmental financial numbers. This year they were to come up with an economic plan that meant more concepts, fewer numbers.
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The students recommended selling crown assets other than telephones and utilities and reducing the government’s role in the economy.
On the business stimulation side, all parties urged more value-added agriculture and diversification through ethanol, biodiesel, feedlots and meat packing plants.
In an interview, three students said they don’t regard agriculture as a fading sector but one that has more potential than technology to create jobs.
They had a range of options when asked if they were remaining in the province.
Nancy Nguyen said she intends to stay if she can find a job that fits her career choice.
Added Keryn Klashinsky: “I’m embarrassed. I have a job in Calgary this summer.”
Jeanelle Guillet had other plans.
“I’m staying. My boyfriend is a farmer.”
The students had new ideas for health and education. One group promoted the use of private clinics to make Saskatchewan a “medical Mecca of Western Canada.” There were ideas to reduce aboriginal dropout rates by setting up technical schools and tourism ventures on reserves, doing more work placements and mentorships and building affordable housing.
To increase Saskatchewan’s population, another group suggested a $4,400 tax credit for university and college graduates who stay and work and a $2,000 tax reduction for anyone moving into the province to work.
All three groups suggested the government start cutting the education tax on property. In exchange, there would be drastic amalgamations of school boards and rural and urban municipalities. The latter idea proved unpopular when presented two years ago by a university professor that the province commissioned to look into amalgamation.
Wilson-Loescher said while some of the students’ ideas might be difficult for a real government to do, the province has adopted student suggestions in the past.
