SASKATOON – Incentivizing manufacturing is the road to economic growth in Saskatchewan, according to NDP leader Carla Beck.
On Tuesday, Beck has announced a plan she says is aimed at increasing Saskatchewan processing to create jobs and counter the effect of tariffs.
“We shouldn’t just grow it, mine it and extract it; we should process it here at home too,” said Beck.
“This province has so much potential. It’s time to build an economy that keeps more value, more jobs and more opportunity right here in Saskatchewan.”
Beck’s plan would provide a PST rebate on construction labour costs for value-added facilities that process Saskatchewan resources.
“Saskatchewan is rich in resources, but processing those resources can require significant up-front investment,” said Beck. “The province needs to help businesses and investors bet on Saskatchewan’s future.”
Beck says the plan is part of a larger economic vision to reduce Saskatchewan’s reliance on the United States, China and India to process commodities and invest in the infrastructure needed to grow and trade on Saskatchewan’s terms.
“Tariffs have been a huge wakeup call for all Canadians,” said the NDP’s Trent Wotherspoon.
“We can secure our economic future by adding value to what we grow and mine here.
“We have the determination, the drive and the people to build a brighter future for this province. This incentive capitalizes on that.”
In response to Beck's pledge on the PST, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter said at the Legislature that "we'd like to lower taxes everywhere — our government has been all about that. We've been about encouraging economic growth as well, but the money has to come from somewhere for healthcare, for education, for social services, and many other services that government provides."
"I would just say this. While it would be nice to do that, we are in a situation in the province where we are very fortunate. When we had the debate in the legislature Question Period on that, I read into the record a number of projects, value added projects, that are being built right now around the province. There are canola crush plants in Yorkton and Regina, there are other processing facilities being built around the province. So we are very fortunate. We're not certainly not immune to economic problems that are around the country and around the world. We're faring better than most."
With files from John Cairns
