This past week, after weeks of debate, we saw the government and the Premier admit that they had not been forthright with the people of Saskatchewan and the number of women who complained about harassment in the work place. On Thursday Mar. 15th, the Premier stood in the Assembly and gave a blatant “no” to a question asking him if he knew about allegations of sexual harassment against a senior government employee. About 2 hours later through a hastily arranged press conference, he admitted he hadn’t been truthful in the Assembly. Then on Wednesday, March 22nd, while refusing to apologize to the victims in the Assembly, the Minister Responsible for the Public Service went out to meet reporters in the rotunda and when pressed on the issue decided to apologize to the victims for not having a respectful workplace in which to work.

We also witnessed the release of two government budgets. On Monday, March 19th the minority federal Conservative government presented their budget. Of all the issues in the federal budget, the one issue that raised the most controversy was the question of equalization. While the Provincial Government was railing on the Federal Government for not living up to its election promise on equalization, it was interesting to hear the former Minister of Finance, Janice McKinnon, on an open line saying this government would have achieved a better equalization deal if they had been actively and constructively at the table negotiating on behalf of Saskatchewan taxpayers. When asked about her thoughts on this year’s provincial budget, she went on to suggest that the budget commitments put forward are unsustainable.

One area of interest to Saskatchewan taxpayers was the continued reliance on property owners to fund education. While the government increased the property rebate from 8% to 10% this continues to be an annual “cap in hand” approach.

The Minister also indicated that this is the NDP government’s 14th balanced budget. A review of their own budget document reveals anything but. In fact this budget, in spite of exceptional resource revenue and federal transfer payments, shows a $700 million deficit. This budget is reckless and irresponsible and tells us this tired, old NDP government will do what ever possible to hold on to power.

If you have concerns please call my office at 435-3320; 1-888-255—8684 or visit my web site www.dontoth.ca.