Saskatchewan.

AuthorUrsulescu, Stacey
PositionLegislative Reports

The spring session resumed on March 7, 2011 and on March 23 the Finance Minister, Ken Krawetz presented the province's budget for 2011-2012. The title of the budget was The Saskatchewan Advantage. The budget increased the basic personal and spousal tax exemptions by $1,000 each, lowered the small business tax rate from 4.5% to 2% and reduced General Revenue Fund debt by $325 million. The budget increased the funding to health and invested money in education, children and youth at risk and has now met a full 1% of PST for municipal revenue sharing. The Opposition criticized the Government for not addressing the needs of families such as affordable and accessible childcare and early learning, high housing costs and increasing utility rates.

The Government House Leader, Dan D'Autremont, raised a question of privilege on March 29. He stated that Opposition House Leader, Kevin Yates, made the comment, "We have a biased Speaker." In his ruling, Speaker Don Toth cited several precedents from similar cases and found that the comments constituted a prima facie case of breach of privilege. However, the Speaker ruled that the Member's apology to both the Assembly and to him was sufficient to end the matter.

Several bills remain on the Order Paper at various stages of the Legislative process. Of notable interest, are Bill 161--The Election Amendment Act, 2010 and Bill 162--The Local Government Election Amendment Act, 2010. These bills require voters to produce identification or have a person vouch for the voter and confirm their identity when they present themselves at their polling stations.

Opposition members have criticized the proposed amendments based on the view...

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