REGINA (Staff) – She’s no ancient mariner, but Lynda Haverstock expects to have a large bird hung around her neck this winter – a crow.
The Saskatchewan Liberal leader said she thinks the province’s NDP government will jump on any changes by the federal government to the Crow Benefit as a way of attacking the Liberal party’s provincial wing during the coming legislative session.
“That will probably take on an unbelievable thrust this next session,” she said.
The federal Liberal government is rumored to be considering large cuts to agricultural programs and has already announced it will be changing the Crow’s method of payment to fit in with world trade rules.
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“They’re going to use changes to the Crow as a way of rallying support” even though the federal government has to make the changes, Haverstock said. “Traditionally, the NDP has always used an anti-Ottawa, fed-bashing way to position themselves for an election.”
Many people are predicting premier Roy Romanow government will not wait until 1996 to call an election.The excellent harvest, a booming retail sector and record oil and gas exploration and drilling combined with the disorganization and weakness of the two opposition parties have many commentators suggesting this spring or summer would be an excellent time for the NDP to go to the voters.
Some, such as Haverstock, see the looming federal cuts as offering an easy way for the premier to demonize the opposition, while making himself appear the champion of Saskatchewan.
PC plan of attack
While the provincial Liberals might get attacked over changes or cuts to the Crow, PC leader Bill Boyd said he’s going to attack the NDP for the same thing.
“Left wing farm groups have dragged their feet for so many years with respect to a change in the method of payment that now we are in serious danger of losing it entirely,” he said.
