Election 2016

Voters across Saskatchewan go to the polls in a provincial election April 4. In Yorkton, four candidates are seeking support, incumbent Greg Ottenbreit with the Saskatchewan party, Greg Olson of the New Democrats, Liberal Aaron Sinclair, and Chad Gregoire with the Green Party.

All four were contacted via email, social media, and Party offices, and asked to participate in a question and answer with Yorkton This Week providing the questions.

All but Gregoire responded that they would take part, however Sinclair did not send the answers in by the deadline to publish.

What follows is Part 2 of the questions, and replies of the two responding candidates.

Q
 Municipal infrastructure is in need of upgrades across the province and of course locally, (the City of Yorkton is estimating at least $50 million-plus to redo just Broadway Street). Given the city has less than 20,000 residents to fund such work, does the province need to play a larger role in financing such work?

OLSON - Infrastructure is key in order to grow our province. This is another example of where the Sask. Party has lost their way. They say they’ve invested record dollars into our highways, but the fact is, they’re paying more money to pave fewer kilometers of road. Our hospitals need are in dire need of repairs, and many of our schools are left crumbling as school divisions aren’t getting the funding they need for repairs. The NDP will work to create a stable plan to deal with the infrastructure deficit that many of our communities are facing.

OTTENBREIT - The Municipal Revenue Sharing Program, enhanced by the Saskatchewan Party, has benefitted Yorkton specifically and has increased from just over $1 million under the old NDP plan to almost $3.5 million last year.  This money goes to municipalities without conditions, they can spend it as they see fit.

Ideally, a three-way partnership on projects with municipal, provincial and federal governments would exist. Should the opportunity arise, we will be sure to take advantage of any opportunity where federal funds become available.  Regardless, we will continue with our Municipal Roads for the Economy Program (MREP) to the extent that the economy allows, as well as Connector Corridor Programs which help fund many municipal projects. We are open to looking at all other possibilities.

Q
 In Manitoba there has been a move to municipal amalgamation. Given Yorkton is bordered by two rural municipalities whose residents obviously access almost all their services in the city without contributing directly to the City tax base, is it time to move to amalgamation here? If so what would be your party’s timeframe?

OLSON - The NDP has no plans to change to amalgamate municipalities.  

OTTENBREIT - The Saskatchewan Party will not force amalgamation. There are incentives in place for municipalities wishing to search for efficiencies and some municipalities have partnered to take advantage of incentives. We recognize the autonomy of municipalities.

Q
 With suggestions now arising that low oil prices may be more the norm ahead, what is your party’s plan to deal with that loss in revenues moving forward?

OLSON - Saskatchewan needs to diversify its economy- we can’t afford to keep putting all our eggs in one basket. We need to encourage growth in knowledge-based fields like science and technology. We need to continue developing our natural resources in a sustainable way, but we also need to invest in renewable technology that would protect the environment and create good jobs. We also need to put a stop to the handing out of government and Crown contracts to out-of-country corporations that have happened under the Sask. Party. Investing in Saskatchewan businesses boosts the economy and creates jobs, instead of shipping them away.

OTTENBREIT - Saskatchewan has one of the strongest economies in Canada. By reducing the provincial general debt by over $2.7 billion, we save approximately $1.2 billion in interest payments. As our financial situation allows we will continue to pay off debt.

We’ve worked hard to create the Saskatchewan Advantage and will continue to do so. The economy is now more diversified and we will continue to encourage new investment and expand trade markets.

Under the NDP, Saskatchewan had the worst economic growth rate in Canada.  Since the Saskatchewan Party was elected in 2007, Saskatchewan has had the second-best economic growth rate in Canada, averaging 2.9 per cent per year – well above the national average of 1.6 per cent.  We have had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the country, according to the latest figures released today by Statistics Canada.  Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is 5.9 per cent, well below the national number of 7.3 per cent.  Saskatchewan has now posted the lowest unemployment rate in Canada in 28 of the last 29 months.

Q
Agriculture remains a key economic driver in Yorkton. What is your party’s key farm policy to ensure that sector remains vital moving forward?

OLSON - Flood mitigation is definitely an important issue for farmers in this province. Our party is very committed to ensuring that we have the plans and infrastructure in place to protect the safety and economic wellbeing of farmers in the province. We’re also concerned about the Sask. Party’s fire sale on crown farmland. Forcing farmers to either buy the land or pay higher rent simply isn’t fair, not to mention the fact that the land is a valuable public asset being sold at bargain basement prices.

OTTENBREIT - The Saskatchewan Party recognizes agriculture as a major economic driver and the backbone of the Saskatchewan economy. It has been said that many governments rely on mega projects to enhance provincial economies; in Saskatchewan we have two mega projects that happen annually -seeding and harvest.

We have reduced the cost to producers by reducing education property tax on agriculture land by 80 per cent and greatly enhancing agriculture programs and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. Our government has worked hard to aid producers to broaden crop and livestock options within the province and enhance world markets for those commodities. We have advocated for grain car capacity and will continue to do so. We have also created an environment for investment in Saskatchewan which has enhanced value added options here.

Since forming government, the Saskatchewan Party has worked hard to address the needs of producers and ranchers. We are committed to ensuring that Saskatchewan continues its role as an international leader in the agri-food sector and will provide the necessary supports so that Saskatchewan remains a source of food security to a growing world.