Look at 2014 as a year to move forward.
Also take into consideration that while you may move forward in terms of monetary gain, so too will the agencies that intend to neutralize those personal financial gains you have made. And if you haven't gained monetarily, well, good luck.
We have already learned that on the civic front, the City of Estevan is raising the mill rate by one full mill. That does not translate into reduced property taxes.
Utility increases in the area of 10 per cent are also guaranteed through a long-term repayment scheme for water and sewer service updates.
Newly inked contracts also guarantee hikes for protection services.
We can probably expect other civic fees and licence registrations will be increased in lockstep with increased equipment, maintenance and personnel costs.
On the provincial front, SaskPower has lifted their monthly rates by 5.5 per cent and their counterparts at SaskEnergy have hiked theirs by 2.1 per cent.
With health and highways being two major portfolios within the provincial government, don't expect to be left unscathed on those files either, P3 or no P3. The same holds true for costs associated with elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. These are three very hungry beasts that need to be fed, and with declining income expected from the potash royalties and a leveling of oil royalties, the provincial government will be wondering where the new source of income can be found.
So far they have found some within a record-setting agricultural crop year, but that can't be counted on every year, as we well know.
Can our manufacturing and international/interprovincial sales take up the slack?
It seems the province is moving forward on that front but only modestly.
Can uranium, gold, coal and diamond mining make significant increases to the provincial treasury? We suggest, not likely.
The federal spending habits are huge, from useless submarines and planes to useless senators. We pay a lot to maintain the House of Commons and the PMO.
This therefore leads us to the thought that tax increases are probably going to be implemented at the provincial and federal levels this year. If they aren't, then that simply means the two senior governments are only kicking the debt and deficit can further down the road, willing to leave a loan legacy that will take decades to eliminate. This being a non-election year, however, leaves us with the impression that they will muster up the courage to deliver the tough-love news, but then we can never discount the urge of all governments to buy our votes, no matter what the current political circumstances are.
So enjoy 2014 to its fullest, and why shouldn't you? You're paying for it.
