Len Taylor

Throne Speech lacks Vision

The Brad Wall government’s October 2009 throne speech is very disappointing and provides no information to give Saskatchewan people confidence that this is the right government for these challenging times, says Len Taylor, MLA (The Battlefords).

“The Throne Speech is primarily a rehash of programs already in place or programs already announced. There is no vision for the future and certainly no evidence that the Brad Wall government can manage the type of economy we have or want for Saskatchewan,” he said.

In fact, Taylor argues those things that are most desired in the Battlefords, are likely in jeopardy because of the Brad Wall government’s mismanagement of provincial revenues in the last six months, something that the Premier acknowledged his government did “wrong” just six months ago when they projected huge revenues from potash sales.

New housing programs for communities like the Battlefords, the start of construction on Saskatchewan Hospital, the development of a Children’s hospital in Saskatoon, and support for hog or cattle producers, are all important and desired programs for which the Throne Speech had no comment, Taylor said, adding that because of the revenue mistake on potash projections, these projects or programs have already been cut back.

He also said, in the Legislature, in the coming weeks, the NDP opposition will be asking the Brad Wall government to be more than cheerleaders for the province, saying during these times when managing our economy is challenging we need “real leaders, not cheerleaders”.

“We will offer a critical analysis of what they are doing, and not doing, and we will also offer constructive alternatives to ensure that Saskatchewan people have the tools they need to deal with the rising cost of living, and the challenges facing agriculture, energy, and the environment,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he will likely speak to the Speech from the Throne in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday October 28th.

water. It wastes water by irrigating for lengthy periods of time sections of the course that require much less watering time, and it wastes water because of numerous line breaks throughout the months of the golf season. It is also wasting energy powering parts of the irrigation system that don’t need to be on all the time.

Engineers have provided great advice to the Board of Directors at the golf course on new systems, and the one chosen in North Battleford will reduce the wastage of significant amounts of water every year.

The engineers inform me that during dry periods of time the course is watered for seven to eight hours each night and uses approximately 340,000 US gallons of water to irrigate 59 acres of turf. If the existing irrigation system, as they suggest,  applies water at a rate of 50% efficiency to the root zone of the plant, then the existing system wastes 170,000 US gallons of water each day. A new system is expected to get closer to 90 percent efficiency in applying water where it needs to be placed.

That is just in North Battleford. There are, according to the Saskatchewan Golf Association, 12 municipal courses in Saskatchewan. When all irrigation systems are replaced this means that (170,000 X 12) 2,040,000 US gallons of water per day would not be wasted. Further, with a five month (150 day) golf season, if we calculate that half of those days are “dry days”, then more efficient irrigation systems province wide on municipal golf course would eliminate the wastage of roughly 561 million US gallons of water during the season, more if the season is unusually dry.

There are also 32 regional golf courses in the province, which allow easy public access, that would benefit from funding for new irrigation systems, and would contribute even more to the more efficient use of water throughout the province.

The engineers also tell me that in North Battleford a new more efficient irrigation system would use about 20% less power to pump water from the river to the holding system, and then onto the course. Given that the course purchases about $10,000 in electricity to power their irrigation pumps, the savings in the case of North Battleford is about $2,000 per year. On a provincial basis, over time, this savings in energy use is again significant.

I don’t think I have to remind you that irrigation for agricultural use in Saskatchewan is substantial. When river water is pumped to the crop, it is either consumed or evaporates. Very little finds its way back to the river. To be most effective the water must go to the roots and be brought up through the leaves. This is exactly what happens on a golf course. If too much water is applied, that water can damage the plant root systems, wash away soil, or wash away adjacent ecosystems. Being able to reduce intensity improves efficiency, and reduces costs. Any changes in the way we irrigate will make a big difference in a lot of different ways for the future, and golf course managers are leading the way in this work.

And, lets not forget that although it is harder to quantify, but if water is getting to where it needs to go, and only at times which are necessary, then the need to apply chemical to the course would change as would the way in which that chemical is applied, improving the green footprint of the course. Chemical application doesn’t work as well when there is either too much or too little water on the specified areas.

In 2010 the irrigation system will be replaced in North Battleford with the newer, more environmentally friendly system. And, the municipality has already stepped up to the plate. The cost of the new system will be $1.5 million with the City of North Battleford paying for half of this and the golf course itself must fundraise for the other half. This is a significant undertaking but it is one that the membership is embracing because they believe in their golf course, and they realize that this course is recognized throughout western Canada as a prime regional facility, attracting people from Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba on a regular basis to the community. If this, and other courses in the province, fail to irrigate effectively, the course loses its attraction to the tourist and they will find somewhere else to play.

I think there are many reasons why the province of Saskatchewan should contribute to a new irrigation system at this location however I am also aware that there is currently no provincial program that would allow the management of the golf course to make this request.

I am also aware that numerous significant and important golf courses throughout the province would also be interested in improving their infrastructure if provincial funding was available.

Therefore, I am writing to suggest (in aid of the North Battleford golf course and others like it around the province) that the Province of Saskatchewan develop a municipal and regional golf course water management infrastructure support program that recognizes changes that enhance environmentally friendly approaches to irrigation management as well as significant municipal contributions to the same goal. It could be a new program, or it could be integrated into existing provincial infrastructure support programs.

The new program would likely not require a great deal of funding, however it would send a message that the province of Saskatchewan values the work done by individual golf courses to improve their environmental footprint by using less water, less chemical, and less energy, as well as encourage a sport that has become a significant tourism draw in rural Saskatchewan. I expect that North Battleford, for example, would find a one-third contribution, or $500,000 toward this goal to be an appropriate provincial contribution.

At a time when golf is a growing sport among young people, and represents a significant portion of tourism dollars in rural Saskatchewan, the courses in Saskatchewan continue to offer affordable and accessible play for all people in the community. In the case of the North Battleford course, 37% of the membership are seniors, and almost 10% are juniors.

I close by saying that using a lot less water, energy, and chemicals is all good public policy and more importantly is good for all people. The proposal warrants some consideration.

Your consideration is most appreciated.

  Yours sincerely,

  Len Taylor, MLA

The Battlefords

Province failing renters seeking affordable housing in The Battlefords

A recent apartment rent increase in North Battleford has highlighted the failure of the provincial government to ensure that vulnerable people are protected from the negative effects of Saskatchewan’s booming economy, says Battlefords MLA, Len Taylor.

Residents of Kildeer Apartments last week were served notice that their rents were about to increase by almost 40 percent. Many of these residents are seniors on fixed income, or wage earners with low to moderate incomes.

“A booming economy should benefit, not penalize people,” Taylor said, adding that the provincial Saskatchewan Party government has known about the possibility of massive rent increases for more than a year and have done nothing to prevent it from happening.

“In June of 2008 a Task Force on Housing Affordability reported to the government that affordability is becoming an increasing challenge for many individuals and families across the province. It clearly stated that seniors and low to moderate income earners are the most vulnerable, and that any solution requires early intervention,” Taylor said.

“In fact, in November when the government introduced Legislation that would require landlords to give six months, instead of three months, notice of a rent increase, Justice Minister Don Morgan acknowledged that renters would now face less frequent, but larger increases.

“Since nothing has been done, this can only mean that seniors, moderate income earners, young first time entrants into the job market, and immigrants, are not the priority for this government at a time when the province is enjoying higher revenues than ever before,” Taylor said.

The problem is made even worse in The Battlefords where there are no alternatives for people facing costly and unjustified rent increases.

“There has been little new apartment construction in The Battlefords for years. Kildeer Apartments are quality accommodations. For people who can’t afford the rent increase and who want to continue to live in a quality building, there is virtually no alternative today. Vacancy rates in The Battlefords are extraordinarily low, and despite promises to do something, the provincial government is now two years behind in fulfilling its promise to financially support the development of affordable housing in our community, Taylor said.

Wall Government Needs to Get Priorities Straight: NDP

Posted: July 30, 2009

Interim Leader of the Opposition Len Taylor is questioning the Wall government’s spending priorities in light of information that it is shelling out more than $49-thousand a month to a Washington, D.C. law firm to handle the Premier’s media and political relations in the United States.

“At a time when Saskatchewan families are suffering with a rapidly rising cost of living, how is this kind of expenditure justified?” Taylor asked. “The Wall government needs to re-think its priorities.”

The Wall government has confirmed that, effective August 1 it will be paying David Wilkens, the former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, $144-thousand U.S. a year to provide media relations services in the United States. Wilkins is a partner in the Nelson Mullins law firm, which received a $400-thousand U.S. annual contract in April to ‘tell the Saskatchewan story’ in the United States. This means Saskatchewan taxpayers are now shelling out more than $588-thousand Canadian a year to this American law firm or more than $49-thousand a month.

Taylor noted that David Wilkins is a life-long Republican who was appointed Ambassador to Canada by former President George Bush. “How is a Republican going to tell Saskatchewan’s story effectively to a Democratic administration and Democratic-controlled Congress? It doesn’t seem like a cost-effective expenditure of Saskatchewan tax dollars.”

“At a time when the Wall government’s provincial budget is unraveling and its run-away spending is becoming an issue, it needs to rein in this kind of excessive expenditure on high-priced political cheerleaders and spend this money dealing with the real issues facing real families,” Taylor concluded.