The opposition NDP isn’t pleased with what the provincial budget included when it was released Wednesday afternoon. The budget, which included changes to the PST, cuts to various spending programs, and the elimination of the STC, was far from what the NDP felt was needed for the province.

“I don’t think it’s a good news budget at all,” said Cathy Sproule, NDP finance critic. “I think there’s a lot of people in Saskatchewan, a lot of families in Saskatchewan, that will be really impacted by it, and I think a lot of communities are going to take some pretty severe hits.”

The expansion of the PST is something the NDP feels will have a negative impact on the province, as it will harm those who could least afford it. The PST is being increased to 6 per cent, and expanded to cover things such as children’s clothing, construction and insurance premiums. It will not be applied to groceries, prescriptions, and other necessities.

The changes to the fuel tax exemptions is also raising questions with the NDP, according to Sproule. Diesel fuel will still be partially exempt, while bulk gasoline will no longer be exempt. Another change which had the NDP upset was the decision to wind down operations for STC.

“I think it’s a huge hit for rural Saskatchewan,” Sproule said about the decision. She added the services will now be replaced by private companies, which the NDP say won’t be able to provide the same levels of pricing as STC. The winding down of a Crown corporation is also worrisome for Sproule.

“They’re avoiding the law, basically, which says you need a referendum; to go to the people with these kinds of decisions,” Sproule explained, stating the Crown Corporation Protection Act says they are required to consult with people before doing these kind of things.

The promise by the provincial government to reduce the deficit and return to balanced budgets in three years is something the NDP don’t think the Saskatchewan Party will be able to meet, based on past performance. Sproule thinks the resource projections aren’t bad, but the tax projections are rather wishful, and the government hasn’t been able to make an accurate forecast of revenues over the last few years.

There were also a few items in the budget Sproule would have liked to have seen addressed in the budget. Those include funding for social programs in the northern parts of the province, as well as action on climate change.