Len Taylor

Comments on the closing of the fall session of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly December 3, 2009

After sitting through the fall session I am more concerned than ever about the future ability of our provincial government to manage tax payer’s money, plan and support what should be a growing economy, and protect vulnerable people from the affects of both community growth, and government spending cuts.

This was a session that pointed out clearly the Wall Government’s mismanagement of the province’s financial resources and highlighted the fact that Brad Wall inherited a provincial treasury worth $2.3 billion and in just two years took Saskatchewan to a $1 billion deficit.

For the provincial treasury, it’s been “boom to bust” in just two short years. How did Saskatchewan get in this predicament? Two words come to mind, mismanagement and incompetence.

While there was virtually no substantive legislation introduced for debate and certainly not much of that was passed, there was an acknowledgement that the Wall government was going to have to break a lot of its election promises because of their financial mismanagement.

Let’s not forget the budget introduced in March ’09 called for 20% of provincial revenues to come from Potash sales. This was forecast to be $1.8 billion, but the return for the province turned out to be just slightly more than $100 million. Regardless of the failure of the government to budget properly, other revenues (such as the PST) continued to roll in and the government continued to spend (it planned to spend 32% more in 2009/10 than in 2008/09) as if it had no revenue challenges. Now, in the last few months of the year, the Wall government is trying to correct its mistakes, and as a result they are going to break promises, cut services and programs, and put off capital spending for a period of time that nobody can adequately predict.

For example, it now appears that municipalities will not get the revenue sharing funding they were promised meaning that local property tax will have to increase. It appears that school boards will not get the funding they were promised which will likely lead to rural school closures, a reduction in classroom programs, and perhaps no support for increased teachers salaries which are due to be put into place for 2010. It appears that the continuation of education property tax relief will not be forthcoming meaning that homeowners expecting a reduction in their education portion of property tax will not see this, and therefore they will be facing what is really a property tax increase.

And, let’s not forget that the Children’s Hospital will not proceed as planned, and 13 long-term care homes for seniors in rural Saskatchewan, including one planned for Meadow Lake will also not proceed as planned. Other projects such as the replacement of Saskatchewan Hospital will only proc3eed as “funds become available” and as such are considered in jeopardy given that funds will likely not become available for some years to come.

A University of Saskatchewan Economics Profession, Eric Howe, known for his conservative views was quoted in late November saying: “If you look just three years ago, the provincial government in Saskatchewan had revenue of about eight billion dollars and nonetheless had a surplus of nearly one billion dollars. Now, in 2009 even with the low values of potash revenues the Saskatchewan provincial government has a revenue of ten billion dollars … and is running the second largest deficit in the history of the province … I don’t accept at all that there is a problem here, in terms of there not being enough money.”

In reality, expenditures in Saskatchewan are up for the 2009/10 fiscal year by 32%. At a time when revenues actually increased year over year, despite the potash blunder, spending increased at a much greater rate than revenues and the Wall government finds that it has had to run a deficit, skim more money out of the province’s savings account and its Crown Corporations, and cut or defer capital spending programs all over the province. It is this type of mismanagement and incompetence that did in the Devine Conservative government in 1991.
All in all, this was a disastrous session for the Wall government and the people of Saskatchewan. Thanks to questioning from the opposition New Democrats it was clearly established that before year end the Wall government will make $293 million worth of cuts to programs, services and infrastructure. This will affect thousands of families who will now pay the price for Wall’s reckless budgeting and out of control spending.

This is also just the tip of the iceberg as this government must now go into meetings to devise next year’s budget. They have already identified a spending problem that will continue into next year, they have identified a lot of expensive projects that they have deferred into next year, and they don’t have any idea of what revenue will be available to them. This situation is unprecedented. It can only mean more broken promises, more cuts, and even fewer services and programs for Saskatchewan people.

I have continually raised the issue of the availability and affordability of housing in The Battlefords since the Legislature started sitting on October 21^st. What follows are 1) a statement I made on October 28th, and 2) a listing of petitions I have tabled with the Assembly on a daily basis. All excerpts are from Hansard, the official printed transcript of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly.

Statement

October 28, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Affordable Housing Needed in The Battlefords

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the most pressing issues in The Battlefords continues to be the lack of affordable housing. And I again, through the Legislative Assembly, ask that the Saskatchewan Party government devote more time, energy, and investment towards this pressing need.

As members will see through this session, I will be presenting petitions signed mostly by residents of Killdeer Apartments in North Battleford, who this summer were provided notice of a 40 per cent rent increase to take effect on February the first. Mr. Speaker, these people, seniors on fixed income and young people in low- to moderate-income jobs, can’t afford the increase in rent because there is no virtually no affordable rental accommodation in the community. They have no place to go and no place to turn. The provincial government has told us frequently that there will be provincial assistance to increase the number of affordable rental units in The Battlefords, but nothing is happening and as a result, seniors are thinking about or actually taking steps to move out of the community. Students are planning to attend North West Regional College and are choosing not to enrol. Immigrants recently attracted to the community are bunking up in multiples too large to benefit them or our community. And young people seeking their first job are choosing to settle elsewhere.

Mr. Speaker, the people of The Battlefords deserve better. They deserve better treatment from their landlord. They deserve better treatment and more access to additional affordable accommodation and they deserve a better response from the provincial government. On their behalf I ask the Minister Responsible for Housing to act and act quickly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Petitions

October 22, 2009

I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords, Mr. Speaker. The petitioners note that residents of some Battlefords area apartments have been given notice of rent increases of 40 per cent and that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low. Mr. Speaker, the prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners are all from streets in various parts of North Battleford.

October 26, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member for The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition to the Assembly, Mr. Speaker. It’s from residents of The Battlefords who note that area apartments have been given notice of rent increases of about 40 per cent. Most of the residents feel this is outrageous and suggest it’s time to bring back rent controls. Mr. Speaker, the prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the signatures are all from residents of The Battlefords. I so present.

October 27, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable housing in The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker, it is signed by residents of North Battleford, many of whom have faced rent increases of 40 per cent with no alternative housing opportunities. The prayer reads:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

October 28, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable housing in The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker, the residents note that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low and the cost of rental accommodation is increasing at an alarming rate. The prayer, Mr. Speaker:

The petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of North Battleford and Yorkton, Mr. Speaker.

October 29, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners note the rapidly rising increases in rental rates and the lack of supply of housing units. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners pray:

That the honourable Legislative Assembly call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of Saskatchewan.

November 2, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords, where the residents note that rents have been rising at outrageous levels, and that the vacancy rate in The Battlefords is very low.

The petitioners humbly pray that the Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of The Battlefords. I thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Speaker.

November 3, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I?m pleased to rise today to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The petitioners note that rent increases of about 40 per cent have been received by residents of The Battlefords and that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation is very low:

The petitioners pray that your Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford and the town of Battleford. I so present.

November 4, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased today to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords from residents who have been given notice of rent increases of about 40 per cent, and who note that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford.

November 5, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords residents who have faced notices of rent increases of 40 per cent and who face an accommodation rate that’s very low. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners are all residents of Killdeer Apartments in the city of North Battleford.

November 9, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker, the residents who have signed the petition note that rent increases of 40 per cent are outrageous and the vacancy rate for rental accommodations is very low. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of North Battleford, Cochin, Delmas, and Glenbush. I so present, Mr. Speaker.

November 10, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords. The residents of course note some have received an increase of almost 40 per cent in rent, and there’s very little accommodation in The Battlefords for renters, Mr. Speaker. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that the honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the signatures on the petition are all from residents of the city of North Battleford.

November 16, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise in support of a petition or to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker:

The petitioners humbly pray that the honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners are all from the city of North Battleford, the majority of whom reside in Killdeer Apartments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

November 17, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The petition notes that residents of some Battlefords area apartments have been given notice of rent increases of about 40 per cent, which most feel are outrageous. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of The Battlefords and Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

November 18, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing in The Battlefords, Mr. Speaker.

The petitioners note that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low, but the cost of rental accommodation is increasing at an alarming rate. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners are all residents of Killdeer Apartments in the city of North Battleford. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

November 19, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The petitioners note that some Battleford area apartments have been given rent increase notices of 40 per cent and also note that rental accommodation in The Battlefords is diminishing or decreasing. Mr. Speaker, the petition prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petitions are signed by residents of North Battleford and the town of Leoville. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

November 23, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable housing and rents for The Battlefords. Mr. Speaker, the prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of The Battlefords. I so present.

November 24, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The residents note that some apartments have been given notice of rent increases of about 40 per cent which most feel are outrageous. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of North Battleford, supported by residents of Cut Knife and Wilkie. I so present, Mr. Speaker.

November 25, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords.

The residents note that some apartments have been given notice of rent increases of 40 per cent, and they note that vacancy rate for rental accommodation is very low. The prayer reads:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords, and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford. I so present.

November 26, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise, presenting a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords, Mr. Speaker. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford, the town of Battleford, and the village of Scott, Saskatchewan. I so present, Mr. Speaker.

November 30, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford. I so present.

December 1, 2009

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise and present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The petitioners note that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low but the cost of rental accommodation in The Battlefords is increasing at an alarming rate. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review or rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, these petitions are signed by residents of North Battleford and Saskatoon. I so present, Mr. Speaker.

December 2, 2009

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased today to rise to present a petition in support of affordable rents and housing for The Battlefords. The petitioners note that the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in The Battlefords is very low, but the cost of rental accommodation is increasing at an alarming rate. The prayer reads as follows:

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable Legislative Assembly may be pleased to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to develop an affordable housing program that will result in a greater number of quality and affordable rental units to be made available to a greater number of people throughout The Battlefords and that will implement a process of rent review and rent control to better protect tenants in a non-competitive housing environment.

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents of the city of North Battleford. I so present.

Hansard

Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly

December 2, 2009

Education Funding

Mr. Taylor: — On November 19th, I along with the MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly] from Rosthern-Shellbrook and Biggar met in North Battleford with Light of Christ Catholic School Division. The board told us emphatically that their administrative priority for 2010 is sustainable and predictable funding. At the same time, the board indicated that they need a finalized new funding model as promised by the Saskatchewan Party that addresses the existing inequity in per student funding.

For the benefit of members and the public, Light of Christ receives provincial funding of $7,900 per student compared to the provincial average of $8,700 and the provincial high of $16,900 per student. The board Chair made it clear, and I agree with him, education is too important to have to ride the highs and lows of the economy. Education funding cannot be dependent on potash prices.

This week, the Minister of Education admitted his government’s mismanagement of provincial finances will have a negative effect on the delivery of their promise to continue education property tax relief, and they will likely not be able to put in place a new funding model for school boards until 2011 or 2012. Boards of education and students in divisions with the lowest per capita funding arrangements will find this totally unfortunate and unacceptable.

If he needs more information, I call on the minister to talk with the members from Rosthern-Shellbrook and Biggar and act quickly to establish a program of equitable, sustainable, and predictable education funding.

Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly

Hansard

November 30, 2009

 The Speaker: — I recognize the member from The Battlefords.

New Saskatchewan Hospital Requested

Mr. Taylor: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because of the Sask Party’s mismanagement of Saskatchewan’s finances, Saskatchewan people are seeing the financing of health projects being set aside. While this is happening, the Minister of Health needs to keep a few important things in mind.

A couple of weeks ago I reported to the Legislative Assembly that a rally was held in North Battleford, a rally that was called Shovels Here, New Beginnings, a rally that brought together community leaders, mental health advocates and families, and ordinary people who wanted to raise awareness about the need to get construction started on a new Saskatchewan hospital.

I’ve now received petitions and letters signed by hundreds of residents of the province of Saskatchewan that I would like to deliver to the Minister of Health and the Saskatchewan Party Government of Saskatchewan. The petitions are not in the proper legislative format but state that the petitioners believe that mental health matters, that a new mental health facility is a critical component in the continuum of provincial mental health services. And the petitioners believe that the government of Saskatchewan should proceed with building a new Saskatchewan hospital in North Battleford.

Mr. Speaker, today I will be turning these petitions and letters over to the Minister of Health so that he and his colleagues in government can see that people right across this great province want him to act — want him to act quickly — to get started on this promised and much-needed project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.