Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdog
Well said Hotwired. Resource rents and royalties dwarf what Manitoba could possibly generate from Hydro (and dwarf our equalization revenues as well).
The Wall government is the first to admit that the resource boom (record high prices for potash, oil and uranium) is largely to thank for the recent prosperity. Few Saskatchewanians can point to solid policy changes the Sask Party has made to promote this growth (although some forumers have pointed out certain small policy steps, which may play small roles in the growth).
Case in point - Saskatchewan's budget balooned from just over $8 Billion in 2007 to $11 Billion today (+ 40% in 5 years). Not sure how one can look at those numbers then throw stones at Manitoba's overspending (although I'm not justifying Manitoba's spending either - just noting that things aren't that different between the 2 provinces, besides the unprecedented royalties)
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-the wall government delivered the biggest income tax reduction in saskatchewan history for a family of 4 they will not pay tax on the first $45 500 of income.
-reduced red tape and barriers for business and also reduced small business tax to 2%
-reintroduced mineral and exploration tax credit and made the ssktchewan research and developement tax credit fully refundable
-reduced corporate tax rate to 12%. and 10% for processing and manufacturing
-elimintation of payroll and health benefit taxes
-establishment of trade relationships around north america and world
-stability in resource rates and royalties
-90% reduction in surgical waite times thru privately delivered publically funded surgical centers
- reviewed all government services to find inefficiencies
-reduction of civil service by 16% thru attrition
-reduction of debt by 44% to 3 bil
these are just a few. there was over 140 promises kept and policy changes made by the wall government.