The Saskatchewan provincial budget included 32 new taxes and fees, but the one receiving the most attention and criticism is the addition of PST on Riders games, rodeos, movie theatres, craft shows, curling fees and gym memberships..The NDP is calling for the removal of the PST increase saying it is making life more expensive for Saskatchewan families..The NDP also said penalizing sports participation during a time when the healthcare system is under increased stress caused by COVID-19 is not the way to go..“The tax and fee increases come at the wrong time for Saskatchewan’s health system. A tax on keeping fit and having fun isn’t just bad for business. It’s bad for health outcomes,” said Matt Love, NDP critic for Parks, Culture and Sport..“This government already slashed funding to Active Saskatchewan’s flagship program and now the imposition of PST on gym memberships adds even more barriers to keeping Saskatchewan people healthy.”.The industries affected by the PST increase say the new tax as it is, is coming at the worst time when their industries are trying to recover from two years of COVID-19 restrictions..“This is a cost increase at a time when we should actually be lowering costs for consumers,” said Mark von Schellwitz of Restaurants Canada. .“This decision will impact many in our community who are looking forward to coming together on Rider game day and for the 2022 Grey Cup,” said the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization..“The last two years have been the darkest time the industry has ever faced” and the 2022 Budget “will impact our business operations and entertainment goers,” said Tim Reid, president and CEO of the Regina Exhibition Association..Federal Bill C-17 provides a one-time top-up payment to each province and territory for “immediate pandemic-related health-care system pressures, particularly the backlogs of surgeries, medical procedures and diagnostics.” .“Today’s investment would help our provincial and territorial partners expedite the processing of surgeries that had been delayed due to COVID-19,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Health Minister. .Saskatchewan will receive $61.8 million — approximately three times the spending compared to the province’s $21 million raised from adding extra sectors to the PST..Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer was asked if the new surgical funding from the feds would allow the provincial government scrap its PST increase. She responded that the increase would stay in place..When pressed on the matter, Harpauer said the money goes into a “pool of funds” and “not a specific fund for the surgical backlog.” This contradicts how the PST increase was presented in the budget..NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon continues to hammer on the government about the PST, especially after the federal government stepped up to fund the surgical backlog..“This budget damages already struggling sport and culture industries… Instead of support, this government imposed a 6% PST on Rider games, museums, gyms, and the list goes on. The Saskatchewan Party is making sport and culture industries foot the bill for their pandemic mismanagement at a time of soaring resource revenues,” said Wotherspoon..Chris Oldcorn is a Western Standard Reporter based in Regina.,coldcorn@westernstandard.news,Twitter: @chrisoldcorn,.Parler: @chrisoldcorn
