Darryl Hickie’s MLA Report

Saskatchewan will soon be home to the four brand-new private liquor stores. The stores will open by summer 2014 – two in Regina and two in Saskatoon. Sobeys will operate outlets in Saskatoon’s Stonebridge neighborhood and on Rochdale Boulevard in northwest Regina. The other Regina store will be run by Willow Park Wines & Spirits in the south Regina neighborhood of Harbour Landing. The fourth store will be operated by the Saskatoon Co-op in the Blairmore neighborhood.

Last week, our government took a major step supporting the ambitious Growth Plan goals pertaining to agriculture. Under Growing Forward 2, the provincial and federal governments are partnering to provide $388 million in funding over the next five years for programming for farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and exporters. This programming was created in consultation with agricultural producers, and includes:

One of the key components of the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth is our government’s commitment to balanced budgets. Our record in this area is strong – we’ve had balanced budgets every year since 2007. Last week's release of the 2012-2013 Third Quarter Financial Report shows that we are on track to do the same thing this year, despite falling resource revenues. Those declines are being offset in large part by the benefits of growth, including a growing tax base thanks to higher employment and record population growth.

Saskatchewan’s economic and population growth have provided us with the resources to improve services, invest in our communities and provide sound fiscal management. This growth however does come with challenges. If you own property, chances are the value of that property has increased greatly over the past few years. The flip side of this is good news is that it may translate into higher property taxes. Over the past four years the value of property in Saskatchewan has increased 67 per cent, moving from $58 billion in 2009 to $97 billion in the 2013 revaluation year.