Let’s take a moment to imagine what Santa’s ‘naughty and nice’ list might have said about government bodies in Saskatchewan.
First up on the nice list, Finance Minister Ken Krawetz and his cabinet colleagues have got to feel pretty proud about the province’s credit rating being upgraded earlier this year. Moody’s, an international bond-rating agency, awarded the province their highest grade back in September.
After years of paying down debt, balancing the provincial budget and making tough financial decisions, the Wall government’s efforts have paid off. The credit rating increase benefits taxpayers as it means the government will pay less in interest rates on its outstanding debt. Thus, there will be more money available for services like fixing roads and health care services. Not to mention, there will be a bit less pressure to raise taxes in the future.
While the Wall government has more work to do when it comes to actually paying off the debt, the Moody’s announcement is a feather in its cap and symbolic of the good work they’ve done to date.
Next, the Saskatchewan government deserves to be put on the ‘nice’ list for moving ahead with alcohol sales reform. While the exact model for reform has yet to be announced, it’s pretty clear the government is intent on getting out of retail alcohol sales – a service best left up to the marketplace, not government.
Premier Wall deserves an honourable mention for starting to talk about allowing private MRIs in Saskatchewan. It just makes sense for Saskatchewan patients to be able to decide for themselves – go on a government waiting list for the service or pay out of pocket for faster care? Right now, many Saskatchewan residents pay for faster care outside of Saskatchewan. Why not keep those dollars in Sask by giving patients choice?
As for the naughty list, Minister June Draude makes her way to the top of the pile after the excesses from her trips to Ghana and England were revealed back in April. A $3,600 car service (for three days in London) and a $200 lunch with her friend were bills that received the most public scrutiny, and rightfully so.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, Ministry of Health and SaskPower all deserve lumps of coal for failing to release straightforward information to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (and the public) when receiving Freedom of Information requests.
Highways and Infrastructure also failed to release information concerning the massive Regina Bypass project. We asked for briefing notes provided to the Minister, as well as analysis on how much different options were estimated to cost, but apparently it’s all confidential. Go figure, taxpayers just get the bill, hold the details.
Similarly, the Ministry of Health blacked out a whole bunch of analysis related to changing demographics and what the cost will be for taxpayers. One might think the government would want to talk about the pending “grey tsunami” and why it’s important to restrain spending now… apparently not.
SaskPower released some information on its now mothballed $143 million headquarters renovation project, but significant details on some of the more questionable proposals are apparently ‘confidential.’
