Wall government ends Legislative session out of touch says Battlefords MLA
The spring session of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly clearly showed that the Wall government has lost its way, has become out of touch, can’t be trusted, and is in need of a serious tune-up, says Len Taylor, Battlefords MLA.
“It showed a government that was mismanaging taxpayers money, not consulting with Saskatchewan people, rewarding SaskParty friends, putting at risk Saskatchewan’s shared future and breaking trust with those who care about the province. Who knew the Wall government could have cost us all so much in so little time?” Taylor said as the spring session concluded its business May 20th.
“Although the resource sector is continuing to build prosperity in the Saskatchewan economy, the Wall government has spent the rainy day fund, used up all the savings in the Crown Corporation’s accounts, and is running an operating deficit. At the same time, property taxes are up, utility rates are up, rents are up, and gas prices are up, making it harder for seniors, students, young workers, new immigrants, and farmers to make ends meet,” he said.
“During this session we saw the Wall government stall progress on the much needed replacement of the Saskatchewan Hospital, but we know they found $100 million since its election to spend on Enterprise Saskatchewan, an agency of government that has yet to produce a single useful recommendation. Where are the priorities of the Wall government, when they put their friends before vulnerable people in our province,” Taylor said.
“This is a government that would rather put valuable environmentally sensitive habitat land up for sale than preserve it for future generations, this is a government that would rather guarantee a construction loan and operating costs for its friends building long-term beds in Saskatoon, than provide funding for the replacement of 13 long-term care facilities throughout rural Saskatchewan, this is a government that shuts down the province’s only television network, takes away chiropractic care from pain sufferers throughout the province, and reduces mosquito control programs that could lead to a greater number of West Nile disease cases this summer. Who in Saskatchewan was telling the Wall government to do any of this?” he said.
“Saskatchewan people can rightly ask where did all the money go, given that the Wall government has increased spending by 32% since it came to office in late 2007, and how could Brad Wall have blown an historic opportunity to bring long-term prosperity to the province. We do have a strong economy in Saskatchewan, so why are we spending our savings account instead of increasing it, why aren’t we looking after seniors, young people, and the vulnerable, why are we giving away health care information to fundraisers instead of adequately funding health care, the professionals who work within health care, and the institutions that deliver health care,” Taylor said.
-30-
