The Editor:听
Truth is always the first casualty whenever NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon discusses the province鈥檚 finances.听
In his Sept. 9 letter to the editor, Wotherspoon asserts the provincial government has not managed effectively and has not invested in services for Saskatchewan citizens.听
He鈥檚 wrong on both counts.听
Our government has paid down $3 billion in operational debt, provided over $5 billion in tax relief for the people of Saskatchewan and delivered seven consecutive balanced budgets since 2008.听
During this period, Saskatchewan has received three credit upgrades and has received a AAA credit rating 鈥� the highest credit rating possible 鈥� from both Moody鈥檚 and Standard and Poor鈥檚.听
As for providing services, our government has invested $8 billion in infrastructure since 2008, more than double what the NDP spent in the last years of its government. This includes $8 million toward the construction of Affinity Place and more than $1 billion for the Boundary Dam Carbon Capture project.听
In addition, we have committed $285 million to reduce surgical wait times, which have gone from the longest in Canada to among the shortest.听
We have hired 2,600 nurses, of every designation, and added more than 400 doctors.听
We have committed more than $900 million to build 40 new or replacement schools and pay for 25 major renovations.听
And, since 2008, municipal revenue sharing has more than doubled. For the City of Estevan, revenue sharing is up 166 per cent.听
Today, we are borrowing to build because Saskatchewan is doing something it never did under the NDP 鈥� growing.听
And so, like other provinces, we are taking advantage of record low interest rates to invest in schools, health care facilities, highways and municipal infrastructure.听
Our government has a strong track record of managing the province鈥檚 finances.听
We will continue to work hard to keep Saskatchewan moving forward.听
听
Sincerely,
Kevin Doherty
Sask. Minister of Finance
