Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
The Speech from the Throne on Nov. 25. Screen capture via Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
REGINA – The first Saskatchewan Party Speech from the Throne in its new mandate is long on health and education spending, but says almost nothing about energy, and nothing at all about energy development.
The Saskatchewan Party found the election had largely revolved around health and education issues, and Premier Scott Moe, in his election night speech, noted this message had been heard. The Throne Speech maintains a sharp focus on those two areas in particular, but mentions little on the revenue side of the ledger.
The relatively short 11 page document, read by Lt.-Gov Russ Mirasty the afternoon of Nov. 25, does not use the word “energy” once. Nor does it use the word “oil.” “Natural gas” is only mentioned once, with reference to the fighting the federal carbon tax.
“Saskatchewan has one of the lowest inflation rates in Canada, largely due to my government’s decision to take the carbon tax off home heating.
“That exemption has already been extended by SaskPower for those customers who use electricity to heat their homes.
“During this session, my government will introduce legislation to extend the carbon tax exemption on natural gas through 2025, saving Saskatchewan households about $480 next year.
“My government will continue to advocate for the carbon tax to be eliminated completely, but until that happens, we will ensure carbon tax fairness by exempting home heating from the carbon tax.”
And that’s it. There is nothing about energy development, energy transition, coal, nuclear power, uranium, lithium, wind, solar, renewable, helium, or climate.
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Potash is mentioned once, in a list of Growth Plan goals achieved, stating, “Increasing the annual value of potash sales to $9 billion.”
It was mentioned in this portion:
Saskatchewan is on track to achieve many of my government’s Growth Plan goals, including:
- 1.4 million people living in Saskatchewan by 2030;
- $16 billion in annual private capital investment by 2030;
- Increasing agricultural value-added revenue to $10 billion a year by 2030; and
- Doubling forestry sales to $2.2 billion by 2030.
Saskatchewan has already achieved and exceeded many of my government’s Growth Plan goals, including:
- Increasing total export value by 50 per cent compared to 2018;
- Increasing manufacturing value by 50 per cent compared to 2018;
- Increasing Saskatchewan’s agri-food exports to $20 billion a year; and
- Increasing the annual value of potash sales to $9 billion.
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You can download the entire throne speech here: Throne Speech – 2024
NDP Repsonse:
The Official Opposition New Democratic Party said in a release it was the “Same Old Throne Speech from the Same Old Sask. Party.”
Their only reference to energy was a call to cut the gasoline tax immediately via an emergency motion to be introduced Tuesday.
This is that release, verbatim:
REGINA – Today’s Speech from the Throne was more of the same from the same old Sask. Party. After 17 years, the Sask. Party is out of ideas and pressing ahead with a plan that will see devastating cuts to healthcare and education.
“Regardless of who you voted for, people want action from their elected officials. They want results now,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader.
“Claiming to have heard voters’ concerns while refusing to change course makes it clear that this is the same old Sask. Party government. People are tired of the same old song and dance from these guys. They want better than this.”
The Sask. Party’s same old Throne Speech continues to ignore some of the most pressing issues keeping Saskatchewan people up at night.
- No new affordability measures until tax time next year, for those who are actually eligible;
- No changes to the Sask. Party’s failed healthcare plan and the potential of cuts while 200,000 people go without a family doctor and the Regina Urgent Care Centre is not open 24/7, as promised, because of the lack of staff;
- Cuts to education funding that will not get Saskatchewan schools out of last place in Canada, despite an acknowledgment that our kids are not getting the supports they need.
After 17 years of the Sask. Party, Saskatchewan ranks last in Canada on per-student funding, emergency room wait times, and surgical wait times.
“Scott Moe suggests he’s heard the message from the people of Saskatchewan that they want change, but he offers nothing of the sort,” Beck said.
“He’s pressing ahead with cuts to funding for hospitals and schools and doing nothing immediately to help make life more affordable for families. This is a government that’s out of ideas and out of touch with the people in this province who are hurting.”
On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan NDP will bring forward an emergency motion to immediately cut the gas tax — a cost-saving measure that could be implemented in time for Wednesday morning’s commute.
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