Never Has a Government Done So Little With So Much

I must express considerable frustration with Mr. Calvert and his NDP government in light of the recent budget. 

Now more than ever we need a government with a long-term vision and some innovative ideas for the future, especially when you consider that last year the government received $1.1 billion (that’s billion – not million) more in revenue than they budgeted.  Conservative revenue estimates by the government for the coming year point to another $400 million in revenue over last year. 

Simply put, this government is enjoying record revenues.  The government’s finances are better off…how about yours?  Are Saskatchewan families sharing in the windfall?

The government has announced another $50 million it has to invest in businesses ventures similar to Spudco and money to increase the Premier’s personal communications budget by 50%, and yet it has nothing for:

• PST relief
• Municipal revenue sharing to help keep local property taxes down
• Teachers salaries
• Nurses salaries
• A commitment to fully fund CAIS for 2004
• Improving the competitiveness of our economy
• Relief for low income earners

And the list goes on.  This years budget highlights are like the highlights from this year’s NHL season….there are none.

It’s Not Good Enough to Complain

Rather than simply complain however, I believe that the Official Opposition has to do more than complain.  We will continue to give the government credit when they do something right and we will continue to offer our alternatives.

That is why we took the first opportunity we could at the beginning of this Spring’s Legislative session that did not begin with a government Throne Speech to offer our vision for the future.  We released our document entitled “100 Ideas To Get Saskatchewan Ready for the Next 100 Years”.

We would like your feedback on your ideas that range from our vision for a vibrant economy to agriculture to addictions treatment and health care.  You can check our “100 Ideas” on our website www.skcaucus.com or contact my constituency for a copy of the document.

Raising Local Issues

I have stood in the Legislature each day during the Spring Session to present the vast number of petitions collected by local volunteers who have worked hard gathering signatures to convince the government of the need for new group home spaces in Swift Current.  It does not appear that the provincial budget included funding for group home spaces, but I remain hopeful and I will continue to press this issue with the government on behalf of the citizens of Swift Current.

I have also taken the opportunity to raise the issue of the lack of a 24-hour, on-site emergency room physician at the Cypress Regional Hospital which was described in detail by Dr. Kielly, Dr. DeKlerk and Dr. Gatzke in a recent ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the Southwest Booster.  I have written directly to Health Minister John Nilson in this regard, and I have delivered a Member’s Statement in the Legislature asking for the Department of Health to develop a funding arrangement with the Cypress Health Region similar to what exists in other regional hospitals in Saskatchewan.  It is my understanding that earlier this week, the Minister committed to provide funding to the Cypress Health Region for a 24-hour on-site emergency room physician.  I would like to thank the Minister for this positive announcement.

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