麻豆视频

The Editor:听

Through the years, NDP MLA Trent Wotherspoon has proven reliable at one thing: misrepresenting the state of Saskatchewan鈥檚 finances.听

In his Dec. 16 letter, Wotherspoon is at it again, suggesting the government鈥檚 decision to borrow to invest in infrastructure was irresponsible.听

This simply isn鈥檛 true.听

We have borrowed $700 million to invest in highways, hospitals, schools and other projects as part of the largest single-year infrastructure expenditure in our province鈥檚 history.听

This capital program is necessary because our province is growing and successive NDP governments neglected to invest in infrastructure. That was irresponsible.听

The repayment of this debt is being carefully managed.听

Indeed, our government has a track record of prudent financial management. Since 2007, $3 billion in operating debt has been paid down, saving more than $1 billion in interest costs.听

Now is the right time to invest because Saskatchewan has a triple-A credit rating, interest rates are low, and the province is growing.听

Moreover, our capital program is helping support the economy at a difficult time.听

Since we released our budget in March, resource revenues have dropped $500 million and consumption tax revenue has declined as well.听

Meanwhile, costs have increased, due in large part to the unprecedented forest fire season, which saw the government spend about $100 million fighting fires and undertaking the largest evacuation in Saskatchewan鈥檚 history.听

Despite the financial pressures, our government is committed to working towards a balanced budget by managing spending, not raising taxes.听

And, we remain focused on preparing Saskatchewan for the next chapter in our growth story, rather than managing the province鈥檚 decline as the NDP did for so many years.听

听

Kevin Doherty

Minister of Finance, Saskatchewan