The Saskatchewan NDP dubbed Wednesday’s provincial budget ‘the greatest work of fiction’ during Question Period on Thursday, noting that it didn’t include the fiscal impacts of tariffs from the United States and China.
Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon added that in order to survive these tariffs, Saskatchewan needs to expand trade significantly and build the necessary railways pipelines to get there.
Sask. Party Finance Minister Jim Reiter shot back that the NDP used to be opposed to pipelines, trade offices, and the Premier’s trade missions.
“Now, suddenly, in the last 18 days, they’ve discovered the importance of having other markets around the world. They’ve discovered the importance of pipelines. Well welcome aboard folks, but it’s a long time coming.”
Wotherspoon changed the topic, again calling on the province to protect the people, producers and industries of Saskatchewan with tariff-specific support measures.
The Official Opposition also says the government’s claim that it’s spending a record amount on healthcare this year is false.
During Question Period, Health Critic Vicki Mowat says page 27 of the budget suggests $8.022 billion was spent last year, and $8.004 billion was invested this year.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill disagreed, citing an expansion of dialysis services in Meadow Lake and Fort Qu’Appelle, and additional coverage of glucose monitors as examples of the budget expansion.
“It would appear that the minister of health doesn’t understand his own budget. It’s basic math, $17.1 million less this year than last year,” Mowat retorted.
She concluded that the President of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses agrees that the budget is profoundly disappointing and doesn’t include any measures that make nurses want to stay in the province.
To follow question period, the Opposition proposed a to condemn President Donald Trump for his recent words and actions regarding Canada’s sovereignty, as well as agree that the federal government should not impose export taxes or limit exports of Saskatchewan’s natural resources.
Premier Scott Moe quoted former Prime Minister Jean Cretien, stating that we cannot be smart and angry at the same time. He then amended the motion to remove all mention of Trump.
In a written release, NDP Leader Carla Beck questioned the move and responded that “It shouldn’t be so hard for the Sask. Party government to condemn Donald Trump.”
