The NDP...   ...took in more than $1 billion more in gas tax than they spent on our roads.   ...cut the funding to cities in half in the 1990s.   ...closed hospitals and schools in rural Saskatchewan.   ...left an infrastructure deficit of much-needed water projects.

Your Saskatchewan Party government has partnered with the federal government to fund 85 infrastructure projects through the infrastructure component of Canada's Economic Action Plan.   "Together all levels of government are injecting needed funding into vital infrastructure projects for Saskatchewan's urban, rural and northern communities," said Minister of Municipal Affairs Jeremy Harrison. "Many of these are much-needed water projects, essential to keeping these communities healthy and vibrant."  

Your Saskatchewan Party government has announced that 17 agencies will receive $1.67 million in capital funding to create 496 new child care spaces in 11 communities around the province.   "There is an increasing demand for child care spaces in Saskatchewan as more parents find their place in the workforce or pursue post-secondary education," said Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz. "Child care is a priority for the government, which is why we provided funding in this year's budget to develop 1,000 new child care spaces by the end of 2009-10.  The 496 spaces allocated today will provide high quality early learning and child care opportunities, as well as support the social and educational development of young children."   These 496 spaces are part of our $4.22 million investment in child care and early learning that will see 1,000 new spaces opened.  All 1,000 spaces will open by the end of 2009-10, bringing the total of licensed child care spaces in our province to 11,400.    In addition to the new spaces, our government has also invested $1.2 million in the early learning and child care sector to support the training of early childhood educators, as well as $375,000 for child care services for children with diverse needs.  Child care centres have also benefited from increases to CBO funding to recruit and retain early childhood educators.

The 2008-09 Public Accounts were released, showing that Saskatchewan's strong resource base and diversified economy have led to the largest surplus in our province's history.  Strong finances have allowed your Saskatchewan Party government to commit $1.5 billion to infrastructure projects, lower income tax by $300 million and pay down nearly 40% of our provincial debt.  The report showed that: There was a General Revenue Fund surplus of $2.39 billion. The provincial debt was paid down by nearly 40%. Net interest costs on the debt are at their lowest level in 20 years. There is now an accumulated surplus in the Summary Financial Statements for the first time in the 18 years they have published it. "In other words, for the first time, the government balance sheet has a positive net value - our overall assets are greater than our liabilities," said Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer. "This is a major accomplishment for Saskatchewan to post a surplus in both sets of statements during a time of global economic uncertainty."   In the current year our government has also brought forward long-term property tax relief, a new funding formula for Municipal Operating Grants and further investments in infrastructure, such as $200 million for the Children's Hospital.  We have also maintained a $1.2 billion balance in the Growth and Financial Security Fund to act as a cushion in uncertain economic times.   "While Saskatchewan is better positioned than most jurisdictions, we are not immune to what's happening worldwide," Gantefoer said. "It is important to have that cushion, in case we face an economic downturn."

The NDP...   ...claimed it was "statistically impossible" for Saskatchewan to grow at the national average.   ...said when people left, there was more for the rest of us.   ...chased away young people with high taxes and lowered job growth.   ...did nothing while 35,000 people left for other provinces under Lorne Calvert.

Saskatchewan continues its steady growth.  Our province has grown by more than 15,000 people in the last year, bringing our population up to 1,027,092.  In fact, we are at our highest level since 1988.  While we are not immune to the global economic downturn, Saskatchewan is still seen as a great place to live.   "People are still looking to Saskatchewan for opportunity," said Premier Brad Wall. "We lead the nation in employment growth, and that means more people staying in Saskatchewan and more people moving to Saskatchewan to work, live and raise their families."

NDP Caucus reverses decision to pay Dwain Lingenfelter a salary   Less than an hour after the Saskatchewan Party Caucus issued a news release condemning the NDP Caucus for agreeing to pay the party's new leader a salary, that decision was reversed   According to media reports, the NDP Caucus had agreed to pay Dwain Lingenfelter an annual salary of $75,000, despite the fact he has yet to win a seat in the Legislative Assembly.    In 1998, Lingenfelter told the Legislature that SaskParty leader Elwin Hermanson collecting $2,000 a month from the SaskParty Caucus was “shocking.”   "Mr. Lingenfelter says one thing and then does exactly the opposite,” said SaskParty MLA June Draude.  “When he was talking about the Saskatchewan Party, he thought it was horrible for the taxpayers to be paying a party leader before he was elected.  But now that he’s the one who needs a paycheque, he thinks it’s just fine.  Mr. Lingenfelter only does the right thing when he gets caught.  You just can’t trust him."

Lingenfelter Attacked Former Saskatchewan Party Leader for Doing the Same Thing NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter has awarded himself a taxpayer-funded salary from the NDP Caucus, despite the fact that he once harshly criticized then-Saskatchewan Party Leader Elwin Hermanson for planning to do the exact same thing.   “Mr. Lingenfelter says one thing and then does exactly the opposite,” Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude said.  “When he was talking about the Saskatchewan Party, he thought it was horrible for the taxpayers to be paying a party leader before he was elected.  But now that he’s the one who needs a paycheque, he thinks it’s just fine.  You just can’t trust him.”   According to media reports, Lingenfelter is now being paid as an NDP Caucus staff member, even though he has not yet been elected to the Legislature.  When Hermanson did the same thing in 1998, Lingenfelter called it “shocking” and demanded that the arrangement be cancelled.  

Saskatchewan Party MLA Nancy Heppner today called the election of Dwain Lingenfelter a big step backward for the NDP.   “Dwain Lingenfelter is a big step backward to the NDP’s failed economic policies and a time when Saskatchewan was a have-not province with a shrinking population,” Heppner said.   Heppner said voters will have a clear choice in the next election.   “Do you want Saskatchewan to keep moving forward with your Saskatchewan Party government, or do you want to go backward with Dwain Lingenfelter and the NDP?”   Heppner noted that the last time Lingenfelter was in government back in 2001, Saskatchewan was losing jobs and people to other provinces.   “In Dwain Lingenfelter’s last two years as NDP Deputy Premier, Saskatchewan’s population dropped by nearly 10,000 people,” Heppner said.

Federal-provincial partnership invests $118 million in 21 projects at post-secondary institutions   The investments under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) include more than $55 million from your Saskatchewan Party government, more than $57 million from the federal government, as well as close to $6 million in private funding.   “Our government's investment will enable our post-secondary institutions to build, maintain and renew the infrastructure Saskatchewan needs to be a national leader in post-secondary education and training, research and development, innovation, and the knowledge economy,” said Minister of Advanced Education Rob Norris. “This investment will boost economic activity and create jobs to help Saskatchewan remain strong and steady.”   Recipients of Knowledge Infrastructure Program investments in Saskatchewan include A learning centre for students in paramedic, nursing and continuing care programs, and expanded classroom, lab and administrative space for nursing programs at SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. A plumbing skills training project at the SIAST Wascana Campus in Regina; A teaching lab for the Early Learning and Childcare Program at Lakeland College.  The lab will also Practical Nursing and University Studies programs.Welding shop improvements at Carlton Trail Reginal College in Humboldt; and A new facility in Nipawin for Cumberland College; “[The federal] government is investing in Saskatchewan colleges and universities to create jobs in the short term and drive educational opportunities and cutting-edge research that will pay dividends over the long term,” said Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology)Minister Ritz. “The government is making strategic investments to make sure Saskatchewan weathers the current economic uncertainty and comes out stronger than ever.”

During the spring session of the Saskatchewan legislature, our government took action to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people and to keep our economy strong and steady.   "This spring, we delivered the largest property tax cut in Saskatchewan history.  That's on top of the largest income tax cut in Saskatchewan history last fall. Altogether, these reductions will mean more than $700 million in tax savings for Saskatchewan people this year," Premier Brad Wall said.    "We also delivered our ‘economic booster shot' - $1.5 billion in new infrastructure spending for much-needed projects like schools, nursing homes, highways and a new Children's Hospital in Saskatoon.  And most importantly, while most other provinces were plunging into deficits, our government delivered a balanced budget."   In just 18 months our government has kept almost all of our election promises.   We have done more in a year-and-a-half than the NDP did in 16 years.

Premier Brad Wall questions whether the auto industry bailout is good public policy. John Gormley Live, June 3, 2009

Why is Darcy Furber Opposed to New Ethanol Project in PA? Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd today slammed Prince Albert Northcote NDP MLA Darcy Furber for speaking out against redevelopment of the Prince Albert pulp mill into a new cellulosic ethanol and bioenergy facility.   “This agreement represents a tremendous opportunity for Prince Albert and area, and the NDP MLA for Prince Albert is against it,” Boyd said.  “It’s pretty clear that there is one Prince Albert MLA  - Darryl Hickie – who’s working for Prince Albert, and one MLA  - Darcy Furber – who’s working against Prince Albert.”

Your Saskatchewan Party government has signed a Letter of Intent with Iogen Energy to redevelop the Prince Albert pulp mill site.   If redevelopment proceeds, taxpayer dollars will not be put at risk, unlike the NDP plan to directly invest $100 million of your dollars.   "A project like this is not only a potential win-win for our forest industry and area farmers, but it also showcases new technology and new approaches by a leading Canadian energy company," said Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd.

The NDP...   ...converted highways to gravel.   ..rated their own highways as poor or worse.   ...allowed highways to deteriorate to the point they were voted the worst in the country.   ...did not have a transportation strategy.   ...created a billion dollar pothole in Saskatchewan roads and highways.

Your Saskatchewan Party government is ensuring that Saskatchewan remains strong and steady during tough economic times through a partnership with the federal government to fund 61 shovel-ready projects across our province.   "This federal, provincial and municipal partnership, and subsequent investment into provincial highways, municipal roads, bridges and other infrastructure, will work to ensure Saskatchewan residents continue to participate in our economic strength, stability and growth," said Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard.

“I think the NDP should recognize that and take the next steps, whatever they feel are appropriate to further investigate and really make sure that is really understood. If that next step is the RCMP then yes they should...it's the NDP that should ask for that to be done.” -NDP Leadership Candidate Ryan Meili, May 22, 2009   SaskParty MLA Dustin Duncan called on Lorne Calvert and the NDP Party to listen to one of their own leadership candidates and turn the 1,100 phony membership forms from the Lingenfelter campaign into the authorities.   “This isn’t just any citizen calling for the NDP to do the right thing,” said Duncan.  “This is one of the people running to be the leader of the NDP. "

NDP PHONY MEMBERSHIP SCANDAL REPORT To read the report "vindicating" the Dwain Lingenfelter Leadership Campaign in the sale of 1,100 phony NDP memberships, click  here or on the image below.  

Your Saskatchewan Party government is investing in a better future for low-income families and individuals.   $161 million will be invested in new affordable housing and assisting low-income households with needed renovations.  Along with $85 million from the federal government, our government will be contributing $77 million.   "Together with our federal partners, our government is strongly committed to making affordable housing available in Saskatchewan," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "We welcome this significant investment, which underlies our resolve to honour this historical agreement and to build brighter futures for Saskatchewan families, seniors and persons with disabilities."