Election 2011 The issue: infrastructure

This is Week IV, the final week of questions.

QUESTION: There is a huge municipal infrastructure deficit, with sidewalk, pavement and sewer and water replacement in Yorkton on a 50-to-100-year cycle. What is the province's role in speeding renewal before it becomes critical with failures?

BLENKIN: The NDP believe that in order to rapidly address the current infrastructure deficit it requires considerable attention.

An NDP government would provide $100 Million over four years to a Revitalizing Communities Fund. This funding is to address much needed improvements and repairs to roads, water and sewer systems, and municipal facilities to keep our communities strong and safe.

OTTENBREIT: Municipalities had been hugely underfunded, and in fact had been reduced by $600 million under the NDP. At the time of submitting the answers to these questions, the platform in its entirety is yet to be released, however we quickly responded to their needs and released programs (Saskatchewan Infrastructure Growth Initiative and Municipal Economic Enhancement Program) amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, to help them catch up with some of the infrastructure deficit. We additionally promised to develop a predictable, sustainable and reliable income source to aid them with expenses and budgeting, which had been requested by municipalities for many years. We have moved to revenue sharing equal to one per cent of the PST, which as the economy grows, increases revenue to the municipalities. They are also now able to better budget and plan long term, since they know well in advance what their revenue sharing portion will be. This is approximately 50 per cent more than the previous NDP government and will allow municipalities increased ability to address infrastructure needs. We have developed good relationships and partnerships with municipalities and I believe will continue to address other needs as best we can as they develop.

QUESTION: In the next four years, if elected, would your party initiate tax cuts, personal or business income tax, PST, or property taxes?

BLENKIN: An NDP government would reduce the business tax to zero over our first term.

Small businesses employ one-third of all workers in Saskatchewan. Our plan is a promise to lower the tax burden on those community-builders and job creators so they can grow, hire and make their own success a part of the Saskatchewan story.

Supplementary to the phased-out elimination of the small business tax, an NDP government will work with small businesses to provide on-the-job training for skilled workers, filling a gap in trades and skilled workers in order to give businesses the employee resources to expand.

The NDP plan includes an annual property tax rebate for senior homeowners and renters to help make life affordable for those on fixed incomes.

We would also review other taxes and make changes as the finances of the province allow.

OTTENBREIT: We have a clear history of tax reductions for Saskatchewan citizens. At this time the only additional tax cuts we have announced are the expanding of the PST exemptions for children up to 18.

At the time of submitting the answers to these questions, the platform in its entirety is yet to be released, however our record has been some of the largest income tax cuts in Saskatchewan history, some of the largest property tax cuts in Saskatchewan history, the small business tax has been cut by over half, caregiver and disability tax credits have been dramatically increased, a low income tax credit has been created, as has an active families benefit, and the Graduate Retention Program which gives a refundable income tax credit to rebate up to $20,000 of tuition fees, along with other initiatives. We have a solid history of responsible taxation and will continue to remain very competitive with other jurisdictions in regard to taxes, including small business tax.

QUESTION: Rural airports get relatively few dollars from the province compared to highways, yet are integral to business in a city such as Yorkton. Will your party be allocating extra dollars to rural airports?

BLENKIN: Saskatchewan New Democrats recognize the importance of rural airports to the communities they serve, and would certainly be interested in talking to regional centres as to how local airports can be more effectively supported by the provincial government.

This would include a regional economic activity study to determine both the economic impact to the community today and what investments would be required to match the growth of the region in the future.

OTTENBREIT: Municipal airports are similar to municipal roads in regard to provincial responsibility, in the fact that revenue from the province is meant to help support infrastructure needs. However, as a commercial pilot and business owner I, as well as the Saskatchewan Party, are aware of the value and importance of airports, including rural ones. That is why over the past four years funding for rural airports has increased and the Yorkton airport has received $410,000 with another $200,000 coming for 2011 toward improvements. At the time of submitting the answers to these questions the platform, in its entirety, is yet to be released.

Most of the funding for airports traditionally comes from the federal government and because we are not thought to have a regular air service, we have missed out on some of that funding. However the Saskatchewan Party will continue to work with the federal government to advocate for funds. I have been an advocate for small airports for years before I was elected and will continue to lobby for provincial funds for airports, especially Yorkton.

QUESTION: The petition for the so-called Jimmy Law was initiated locally. Do you personally support the idea? Will your party move ahead with Legislation setting minimum worker numbers at jobs such as convenience stores and bars?

BLENKIN: I have met with the organizers of Jimmy's Law and support them in their efforts to bring about safer working conditions for employees. To date they have received over 8,000 signatures on a petition from people across the province.

As your MLA I would encourage our government to look at the proposed legislation within Jimmy's Law that requires two workers during the time frames of 11 PM to 7 AM. This would require consultations with the business community, labour organizations and Occupational Health and Safety organizations. The key to these consultations will be to determine the best possible way for employers to ensure workers safety during these hours.

OTTENBREIT: When a constituent first considered putting 'Jimmy's Law' forward, my constituency office was contacted for direction. Information how to proceed, including petition protocol for the Legislative Assembly, was provided. I then contacted the Minister of Justice to inform him of the initiative.

The protection of workers is a priority of the Saskatchewan Party, and I personally believe the work place should be safe. The idea of this law is something that will be considered and in theory makes sense. Many questions will need to be asked and answered, such as "is it to be required to only open at late hours with two or more employees", or," if there is protective enclosures and remote locking doors, would there be exemptions?" I am confident a proposal for legislation will come forward in the Legislative Assembly for debate.