72 High Street East Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan S6H 0B8 Phone: (306) 693-7572 Fax: (306) 693-7580 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pcsask.ca March 18, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BUDGET OFFERS HUGE DEBT INCREASE WITH LITTLE GAIN FOR PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN For the first time in more than a decade, the province of Saskatchewan is taking on significant new debt to finance the Sask. Party’s pet projects. By increasing our overall debt by $1.623 billion dollars the Sask Party government is failing to add new long term jobs or value added industry to the province with this new debt. They are funding projects like the South Regina bypass, which could easily be delayed until the recovery of oil prices occurs and not damage the province’s economy in the interim. The minimal amounts that are being devoted to the necessary infrastructure repair in hospitals, schools and the housing of our senior citizens is inadequate. This added debt will probably not stop the leaking roofs, windows that do not close, or provide better food in our health care facilities. Agriculture was barely mentioned in this budget, even though there are huge transportation issues which are preventing Saskatchewan products from getting to the international market place. The government failed to demonstrate today that the ongoing support of resource industries with large tax credits is going to grow the work force in the province of Saskatchewan rather than supporting outside workers who pay their taxes somewhere else. The Finance Minister pulled a $400 million dollar “potash rabbit” out of his hat, to make this budget even palatable. The PC Party believes that the royalty tax regime for our resources should not just be saved for “slight of hand” delivery on budget day. The people of this province deserve a royalty review process which is open and accountable to the owners of this resource, the people of Saskatchewan. This budget seems to be about finding $700 million dollars of borrowed money to fund new infrastructure projects that will become Sask Party election promises over the next 12 months. The Premier is paying for his re-election with the taxpayer’s credit card. - 30 – For more information, call Rick Swenson at (306) 631-5461 or Stu Esson at (306) 693-7572. “For the Right Reasons” PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF SASKATCHEWAN