Budget Debate (8 April 2021)

From Hansard (8 April 2021)

Budget Debate

Mr. Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did get this response started yesterday, but I think there was a few of my colleagues that weren’t here, so I’m just going to refresh with a bit of a start from the beginning.

I think I’m going to begin today by saying, you know, it does feel really good to be back in this Assembly, and I’m really honoured to be representing the fine people of my constituency of Martensville-Warman. I’m also really, truly blessed to be working with such an energetic and passionate group of caucus colleagues and staff who all share the same vision for our province — a safe, prosperous, caring place that we can all be proud of each and every day. So to all my colleagues and staff in caucus, I have to say thank you for all your friendship, your wisdom, and your professionalism.

Mr. Speaker, I’m not going to go into a whole bunch of thank yous or list off a bunch of names of people who to this day continue to support the work that I do. But I really do want to give a special thank you to my wife, Angela, who’s back home looking after the fort, taking care of our two kids, Asher and Kolbie, and ensuring that our family business continues to runs smoothly.

It’s definitely a tough time for all of us, Mr. Speaker, particularly all the members who have to travel in from other parts of the province and are now calling Regina home for the next several weeks. Normally we’d be able to head home on weekends to work inside our constituency offices and with the people of our constituencies and spend some time with family and friends before coming back to do it all again next week. But this likely won’t be a possibility as it stands right now, Mr. Speaker. And I think I speak for most of my colleagues on both sides of the House by saying thank you to the family and friends who are doing all this important work back home so that we can do the important work here on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan.

I’ve been in this Chamber a few times over the years for budget day, but Tuesday was my first chance to be sitting on the benches as it was delivered instead of being up in the gallery. Mr. Speaker, I’d personally like to thank all the staff in the Ministry of Finance and really to all of our ministers and all their staff and all the members of treasury board and of course the Minister of Finance herself for all the hard work and the long hours that go into putting together a budget of this magnitude under these circumstances.

I’d also like to recognize the dedicated and outstanding work that you do each day, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the efforts of our Clerk and all the Assembly and legislature staff for everything that they do to ensure this building remains a safe place in which we can conduct business each day.

And finally, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to personally thank all of our health care workers, our front-line workers such as grocery store staff, restaurant servers, retail employees, and all the other people that work with the public on a daily basis for everything that they’ve done to remain safe and keep everyone safe around them during this pandemic.

It goes without saying that this pandemic really has set some people back, unfortunately some maybe more than others. But, Mr. Speaker, I don’t think I need to say it because everyone inside and outside of this Assembly knows it, but the people of Saskatchewan, we’re resilient, and we always seem to bounce back from adversity with a sense of purpose. And we come back stronger than ever.

So when I look at this budget, the word “momentum” immediately comes to mind. And among the comments that we’ve been hearing since the budget was presented, Mr. Speaker, is one from the CEO [chief executive officer] of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association. They understand the challenge that came with presenting a budget during a global pandemic. The CEO gave us kudos — to the Premier, to the Minister of Finance — stating, and I quote, “We are not out of this pandemic yet but the positivity and potential on the horizon is growing.”

Mr. Speaker, as more and more vaccines are administered, we can hear the economic engines spooling up once again. There is a real sense of optimism out there when I’m talking to people. I’ve heard it. I’ve heard it from the people I’ve met with since last fall, that our province is poised to rebound in a big way. As we emerge from this pandemic, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan will continue to have what the world needs most: food, fuel, fertilizer.

Increased production and exports mean more jobs. Those new jobs result in more new jobs in other sectors of the economy. And while the pandemic has resulted in some job losses, Mr. Speaker, this budget and our work as a government will create the economic environment needed to bring back those jobs and continue to grow our economy as we come out of one of the most challenging times in our history.

Again I look at such things as trade and export, Mr. Speaker. We’re nearly doubling our investment for international offices with the sole purpose of attracting investment, promoting the products that we grow, manufacture, and export from this province while adding as much value as possible before those products are shipped. Mr. Speaker, it’s become quite obvious that our province can no longer rely on the federal government to carry this action out effectively. So we’re doing it on behalf of the people of this province.

As we come out of this pandemic and in the long term, Saskatchewan has the natural resources, the technology, and the manufactured products people around the world want and, more importantly, need. We’re making sure our province’s producers and manufacturers are front and centre with those customers. It’s important in an ever increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Closer to home, this budget paves the way for economic activity. Over 17,500 jobs will be in play as our government rolls out its $3.1 billion capital investment plan, with construction of new schools, hospitals, long-term care homes. We improve our highways and roads and so much more.

Mr. Speaker, as a kid I spent many summers on Lake Diefenbaker, boating, fishing, and exploring and doing everything that kids do. So to see the preliminary work on the irrigation expansion project is something that really hits home for me, and I’m obviously very excited about it.

Capital investments by our government for projects such as this will stimulate our economy and provide the quality infrastructure that attracts investment, opens new doors to diversification, and creates long-term jobs. These investments, plus previous dollars injected into our towns, cities, villages, and RMs [rural municipality] through the MEEP [municipal economic enhancement program] program in 2020, touch every corner of this province, Mr. Speaker, and they also create new jobs. Plus they provide key pieces of municipal infrastructure moving forward.

I’m also proud of our government’s commitment to many other investments that are being made into numerous and wide-ranging areas that will foster a quicker economic recovery across this great province of ours. Yesterday the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities gave our budget a passing grade:

Infrastructure is important in rural Saskatchewan and ARM appreciates the commitment of $66 million dollars for maintenance and upgrades to dams and canals, and the $18.9 million for phase one of the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation-Westside expansion project.

They went on to say:

We are . . . pleased with the commitments related to municipal infrastructure for the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program, as well as the $530,000 earmarked for a new short-line rail infrastructure program to support that industry. We acknowledge SaskTel’s investment of more than $323 million this year to improve its networks and its commitment to complete its $107 million Wireless Saskatchewan program in 2021-22, as well as its investment of $75 million to improve cellular services for rural customers.

Like our government, Mr. Speaker, SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities] recognizes that reliable funding models and quality investments in infrastructure support economic growth and prosperity.

In addition to creating investment and job opportunities across this province, we’re protecting people and property as well by providing funding for several initiatives including $92.4 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, which is a significant bump of 8.4 per cent over last year. And we’re addressing emergency medical care by allocating $1.4 million for an additional STARS [Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service] helicopter to help deliver faster responses to rural and remote areas of our province. So, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to protecting, building, and growing our province, this budget takes the appropriate steps to provide the best possible climate for all this to happen.

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to participate in the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Lunch with Leaders event. Joining me on the panel was Kelly Block, our Member of Parliament, as well as Kent Muench, the mayor of Martensville, and Gary Philipchuk, the mayor of Warman. Mr. Speaker, it was encouraging to hear how the business people at this virtual luncheon, as well as the other business owners I’ve been able to communicate with over the past several months, have pivoted and transitioned their businesses to not only survive this pandemic, but how they plan to use this experience to move into the future.

Since the fall sitting, I’ve spoken with numerous business owners of all sizes. And I’ve worked with the chamber of commerce to ensure they’re aware and their members are aware of the supports our government put in place to augment federal programs. Whether it’s the Saskatchewan small-business emergency payment, the strong recovery adaptation rebate, the tourism sector support program, or the Re-Open Saskatchewan training subsidy, our government has acted quickly last spring to get these programs in place and they have been very well utilized.

Mr. Speaker, the question was put in front of voters last October about which party would be best to lead our province’s post-economic recovery. Not surprisingly voters didn’t have to think about it too long or too hard. Since 2007 this government has put Saskatchewan back where it so rightfully belongs by producing the third-best job-creation record in the country. The NDP, in their last seven years, limped along wringing their hands, increasing taxes, chasing investment and people away, resulting in the worst job-creation record in Canada. And the results speak for themselves in this House.

Mr. Speaker, our government has proven time and time again that job creation and economic growth is not only achievable, but it’s an expectation. And we will continue to provide that stable, predictable environment that investors large and small need in order to be successful.

Our government’s commitment to building good, solid infrastructure and maintaining a competitive corporate tax advantage creates a positive environment for the private sector investment and ultimately additional job creation as we exit this pandemic and return to our normal way of life here in this province.

We’ve also acted very quickly and fulfilled every single one of our election promises, and many of those promises are already benefiting the people of Saskatchewan. Whether it’s reducing the cost of ambulance calls and eliminating inter-hospital transfer costs altogether for seniors or expanding autism funding or covering the cost of insulin pumps for everyone with type 1 diabetes, our government is making life more affordable for the people of this province.

I’ve spoken to many, many constituents who have or will be taking advantage of the home renovation tax credit. It’s another way of making life more affordable while keeping contractors busy as we work our way through this pandemic. For homeowners, renters, and businesses, they are already seeing the SaskPower 10 per cent rebate benefits and are putting that money right back into our economy in most circumstances. It’s these types of targeted investments that I’m proud to support, as it helps families, it helps individuals, it helps our business community get through to the other side of this pandemic and provides a measure of stability in the months ahead.

It should be also noted that before the SaskPower rebate is applied, Saskatchewan residents have the lowest utility rate bundle in the nation. Compared to the rest of the country, SaskTel customers can access the lowest prices for wireless and voice/data bundles. SaskEnergy provides the lowest heating costs, while SGI [Saskatchewan Government Insurance] offers the lowest cost auto insurance.

Our province has fared much better than most others when it comes to finding a balance between protecting lives and protecting livelihoods. A sign of this is that our province now has the lowest debt-to-GDP [gross domestic product] ratio in the country while also keeping our employment levels high.

Housing starts have remained strong, and we’ve seen steady increases in wholesale trade and international exports. And while it’s important to remain focused on the pandemic today and ensuring we get the vaccines into everybody’s arms as quickly as possible, it’s equally important that we look forward and take advantage of domestic and international opportunities that will benefit all of our residents in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Economic indicators are all pointing to a projected 3.4 per cent growth in real GDP this year and a further 3.2 per cent in 2022 here in Saskatchewan. Clearly our province is poised for a strong recovery in the months and years ahead, not to mention having a clear plan in place on how we’re going to grow our economy in the years to follow.

As elected representatives we are always working for the people of this province to make it the best possible place for everyone to live, work, and raise a family. Brian Tracy coined the phrase once, and I quote, “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” Solutions sometimes don’t come easy, and finding them for the benefit of our own people isn’t an option — it’s mandatory.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be part of this team of leaders on the government side of the House, so I’ll conclude with this: protecting our province and its people, building our province for tomorrow, growing Saskatchewan for the people, and ensuring the brightest most prosperous future possible. They’re not just words, Mr. Speaker. These are the budgetary actions our government is taking today so that our province can emerge from this pandemic and experience a strong economic recovery. It’s for this reason I’ll be supporting the budget motion put forward by the Minister of Finance and seconded by the member from The Battlefords, but I will not be supporting the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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