The Saskatchewan NDP called on the Saskatchewan Party government to follow other provincial governments and act immediately with a cost-of-living rebate to Saskatchewan residents..Gas prices are more than two dollars across the province, jumping about 25 cents in the past three weeks..Sask. NDP Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon and Opposition Critic for Job and the Economy Aleana Young called on the Sask. Party to help Saskatchewanians..“The premier dismissed rising gas prices as just ‘a few extra cents.’ For many drivers, they’ve seen the cost of filling their tank almost double in the last year,” said Young..“Instead of jet-setting, the Sask. Party needs to start listening to workers, families, farmers, municipalities and small businesses here at home.”.The Sask. Party told the Western Standard: “Saskatchewan’s gasoline prices on average, while high, are the second-lowest in the country, behind Alberta. High gasoline prices across Canada are being caused by geopolitical tensions and high global oil prices.” .During the spring legislature session, the Sask. NDP proposed a windfall profits surcharge on oil and potash..The surcharge would be an extra 1% on the existing resource surcharge when the oil and potash prices hit a “highly profitable threshold.”.Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and New Brunswick have since all acted on affordability relief to taxpayers because of rapidly rising inflation..Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, announced an oil and gas profits windfall tax because of soaring energy bills and the White House is considering a similar proposal..“It’s important to note as well that Saskatchewan cannot regulate the price of oil, which is set in global markets. Oil is the primary input to produce gasoline and diesel,” the Sask. Party told the Western Standard..“The price of gas and groceries is going up and the Sask. Party has done nothing,” said Wotherspoon. .“Innovation at all levels of government is required to battle the greatest affordability crisis in a generation.”.The Sask. NDP called on the Sask. Party to “implement a windfall resource surcharge, scrap the upcoming PST increase, and immediately rebate $125 million to Saskatchewan people to help with the rising cost of living.”.The Sask. Party provided some relief with $100 rebates to the owner of each registered vehicle as of March 9, 2022, intending to help drivers with higher fuel costs..Premier Scott Moe said that “as we find our way through this fiscal year, if we do find our way to a surplus, we are looking at how can we return these dollars so that it would benefit all Saskatchewan people.”.“Saskatchewan continues to be committed to helping make life affordable for Saskatchewan people by ensuring Saskatchewan families and individuals pay total provincial taxes and utilities that are among the lowest in the country,” a Sask. Party spokesperson told the Western Standard.
The Saskatchewan NDP called on the Saskatchewan Party government to follow other provincial governments and act immediately with a cost-of-living rebate to Saskatchewan residents..Gas prices are more than two dollars across the province, jumping about 25 cents in the past three weeks..Sask. NDP Official Opposition Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon and Opposition Critic for Job and the Economy Aleana Young called on the Sask. Party to help Saskatchewanians..“The premier dismissed rising gas prices as just ‘a few extra cents.’ For many drivers, they’ve seen the cost of filling their tank almost double in the last year,” said Young..“Instead of jet-setting, the Sask. Party needs to start listening to workers, families, farmers, municipalities and small businesses here at home.”.The Sask. Party told the Western Standard: “Saskatchewan’s gasoline prices on average, while high, are the second-lowest in the country, behind Alberta. High gasoline prices across Canada are being caused by geopolitical tensions and high global oil prices.” .During the spring legislature session, the Sask. NDP proposed a windfall profits surcharge on oil and potash..The surcharge would be an extra 1% on the existing resource surcharge when the oil and potash prices hit a “highly profitable threshold.”.Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and New Brunswick have since all acted on affordability relief to taxpayers because of rapidly rising inflation..Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, announced an oil and gas profits windfall tax because of soaring energy bills and the White House is considering a similar proposal..“It’s important to note as well that Saskatchewan cannot regulate the price of oil, which is set in global markets. Oil is the primary input to produce gasoline and diesel,” the Sask. Party told the Western Standard..“The price of gas and groceries is going up and the Sask. Party has done nothing,” said Wotherspoon. .“Innovation at all levels of government is required to battle the greatest affordability crisis in a generation.”.The Sask. NDP called on the Sask. Party to “implement a windfall resource surcharge, scrap the upcoming PST increase, and immediately rebate $125 million to Saskatchewan people to help with the rising cost of living.”.The Sask. Party provided some relief with $100 rebates to the owner of each registered vehicle as of March 9, 2022, intending to help drivers with higher fuel costs..Premier Scott Moe said that “as we find our way through this fiscal year, if we do find our way to a surplus, we are looking at how can we return these dollars so that it would benefit all Saskatchewan people.”.“Saskatchewan continues to be committed to helping make life affordable for Saskatchewan people by ensuring Saskatchewan families and individuals pay total provincial taxes and utilities that are among the lowest in the country,” a Sask. Party spokesperson told the Western Standard.
