Not all the action in provincial politics was in the legislature during this past week.
Some key activity took place in Saskatoon at TCU Place. About 400 delegates attended the Saskatchewan New Democrats’ convention Oct. 21-23, with the party still reeling from their disastrous election showing in the April provincial vote.
The gathering included several policy resolutions as well as speeches from Alberta NDP MLA Sarah Hoffman and newly-elected Manitoba NDP MLA Wab Kinew, as well as from interim Opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon.
Back in the legislature Monday, Battlefords issues and achievements enjoyed prominence.
During members’ statements, Battlefords MLA Herb Cox, coming off his most recent cancer treatment, delivered remarks about the Battlefords Business Excellence awards that took place earlier this month in North Battleford. Here were his remarks as recorded in Hansard.
Mr. Cox: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m also pleased to rise today to congratulate a number of Battlefords area businesses that were recognized at the 23rd annual Battlefords Business Excellence Awards gala. This sold-out event was hosted by the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce and was held at the Dekker Centre for Performing Arts in North Battleford on October the 4th.
Mr. Speaker, a record 41 finalists were nominated for awards in six categories this year. The winners included All Out Graphics & Design Ltd. in the category of New Business Venture; Fisher’s Drug Store for Customer Service; Lakeland Veterinary Services for Community Contribution; Gold Eagle Casino in the category of Marketing; Jewellery Connection Inc. in the category of Microbusiness; and Anderson Pump House Ltd., winner of the Battlefords Best Employer. Mr. Speaker, two additional groups were recognized for their exceptional business contributions in the Battlefords area. The Dekker family was honoured with the Heritage Award for their dedication to broadcasting and community involvement. The family’s 60 years of involvement with Battlefords area radio stations came to an end last year when David Dekker retired from his role as general manager of CJNB, Q98, and 93.3 The Rock.
Mr. Speaker, the evening culminated with the member from Biggar-Sask Valley presenting the Business of the Year Award to Fortress Windows and Doors Ltd.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating all of the outstanding nominees and winners of the 2016 BBEX [Battlefords Business Excellence] awards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
During Question Period, the issue of funding to the Lighthouse in North Battleford came up. Prince Albert Northcote MLA Nicole Rancourt demanded answers from Regina University MLA Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Social Services, on the issue.
Ms. Rancourt: — Mr. Speaker, it isn’t just Saskatoon where the Sask Party has made these backward cuts. In fact their cuts to the Lighthouse in North Battleford made national news. The Lighthouse in North Battleford serviced not only that city but all the communities surrounding it. Front-line workers and community members have told us about the devastating consequences to these cuts. Most governments would have fessed up and reversed this terrible decision, but not the Sask Party. They have gone further and cut deeper. Mr. Speaker, how does this make any sense?
The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.
Hon. Ms. Beaudry-Mellor: — Mr. Speaker, we have no contract with the North Battleford Lighthouse, and we will be meeting with the Saskatoon Lighthouse to discuss longer term, sustainable planning. But let’s remember that our government has created 252 new shelter spaces in Saskatchewan as a government, which is more than double what existed before.
We’ve also increased the per diem rates up to eight times since 2008, and we’ve increased our investments in 332 units for those who are hard to house — exactly the kinds of people who are looking for longer term, sustainable housing that exist here.
The main news from the Monday sitting, however, was the start of debate on a motion by Premier Brad Wall on the carbon tax issue.
His extensive remarks slammed the carbon pricing introduced by the Trudeau government.
Hon. Mr. Wall: —Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker: this tax may be revenue neutral I guess in principle, but it is not sector neutral. And it is not neutral as to the regions of this country. There are two provinces that will pay mightily with jobs that Saskatchewan and Alberta families depend on if this tax goes ahead. And all the revenue-neutral bell whistles don’t change the fact that when you make this carbon-intense part of Canada’s economy uncompetitive, it’s going to go somewhere else, and so will those jobs.
Do you know, the economists call it carbon leakage. And here we call it layoffs, in Saskatchewan. We call it declining business and declining opportunity. And if we let that happen, Mr. Speaker, we have less of a tax base upon which to provide better health care and better education and to fix more roads, and we are determined that it not happen in Saskatchewan.
… For many, many, many years, these provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta have provided — and they still do today — opportunity for other Canadians. And we’ve seen them come and work here and then go back, sometimes, to Atlantic Canada. But that’s when the country’s working at its best, and well we are proud to play that role.
That’s a role we didn’t always play in this country. We’re proud that we play that role as a have province. We say to the federal government, let it continue. Let’s actually focus on the real problem. And let us not go down the road with an ill-considered and reckless carbon tax that will cost the jobs of Canadians without any relief in sight, Mr. Speaker. And so I will move this motion:
That this Assembly supports the Government of Saskatchewan’s position on climate change as outlined in the climate change white paper released on October 18, 2016; and further That this Assembly opposes the federal government’s plan to impose a national carbon tax.
Opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon proposed an amendment to Wall’s motion.
Mr. Wotherspoon: —Mr. Speaker, instead of leadership and meaningful advocacy, time and time again we have seen this Premier and his party pass on the chance to invest in renewable energy and technologies that would lower emissions and create good mortgage-paying jobs for Saskatchewan people — the kind of jobs that would be driving and helping our economy right now, Mr. Speaker.
When there’s so much at stake for Saskatchewan people, we need leadership. We need Saskatchewan action and a made-in-Saskatchewan plan. Doing nothing isn’t going to cut it.
The Premier’s response of doing nothing and sitting on this just won’t cut it.
Do we need to act on climate change? We certainly do. It’s unfortunate that this Premier has denied Saskatchewan people having that opportunity to be leaders from this point into this debate, Mr. Speaker, and as such has given up the voice that we should have.
So I’ll propose the following amendment to the Premier’s motion:
That all words in the motion after “supports” be struck out and replaced with the following: the implementation of The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act so that Saskatchewan can once again show leadership in reducing carbon emissions and earn back credibility on this file; and further That this Assembly condemn the Premier for his failure to address climate change after nearly a decade in power, and for giving up Saskatchewan’s voice and credibility when it comes to protecting Saskatchewan’s interests in our environment; and further That this Assembly opposes the federal government’s plan to impose a national carbon tax.
I so submit.
