SASKATOON, Sask. — Saskatchewan New Democrats kicked off their election campaign Thursday with Leader Carla Beck signing her name to a placard promising to suspend the gas tax and not hike other levies. Beck said the plan would mean no increases to income taxes, small business taxes, provincial sales tax or corporate tax.
"Everywhere I go in this beautiful province, the No. 1 thing I hear from people is they're struggling to get by," Beck told a news conference at a Saskatoon sporting goods and apparel store. "And while life is getting more expensive, there's no doubt (Premier) Scott Moe and the Sask.
Party have done nothing to lower costs for Saskatchewan people and Saskatchewan businesses." She said Moe's governing Saskatchewan Party has made life more expensive by increasing the provincial sales tax and having it applied to children's clothing, snack foods and admission to sporting events and concerts. "It's time for change.
If I get government, we will not raise your taxes. That's my no-tax-hike guarantee," she said. Saskatchewan's election is to be held on or before Oct.
28. Beck's NDP is the Official Opposition in the legislature and has 14 seats, with the Saskatchewan Party holding 42. There are four Independents and one vacant seat.
The Saskatchewan Party has not officially kick-started its campaign. Moe has rejected suspending the gas tax, while other provinces like Manitoba and Alberta have done so. Manitoba's is in effect until at least Sept.
30 and Alberta's was.