REGINA — Rebates on cans of paint, a $15-an-hour minimum wage, new teachers and a tax break for small business. Here are some election promises made by Saskatchewan's two main political parties during the provincial election campaign:
Saskatchewan Party
Renovations rebate: Homeowners would be able to claim an 11 per cent tax credit on up to $20,000 worth of home renovations from Oct. 1 to the end of 2022.
Projected cost: $124 million.
Power bills: A one-year 10 per cent rebate would be applied to SaskPower customers starting in December. The average customer could expect to save about $215.
Projected cost: $260 million
Small business: The small business tax rate would be reduced to zero from two per cent retroactive to the start of October. It would move up to one per cent in 2022 and return to two per cent in 2023.
Projected cost: $189 million
Scholarships: The Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship would increase to $750 a year from $500. It would come into effect after the 2021-22 budget and result in $1,000 more going to eligible students who receive it over four years.
Projected cost: $2 million annually
Activities credit: Families earning $60,000 or less would be eligible for a $150 refundable tax credit per child to cover expenses related to sports and cultural activities. The benefit would be introduced in the 2021-22 budget.
Projected cost: $5.7 million annually
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NDP
More doctors, nurses: Some 100 more doctors, 150 more registered nurses and 300 extra licensed practical nurses would be hired to deal with chronic staffing issues in acute and long-term care.
Projected cost: $432 million
Extra teachers: Up to 1,000 more teachers, 750 more educational assistants and an additional 400 caretakers would be hired to reduce the number of students in classrooms to avoid crowding.
Projected cost: $535 million
Minimum wage: The minimum wage would be boosted to $15 an hour by 2024-25 and a rebate would be provided to help small businesses offset extra costs.
Projected cost: $24 million
Daycare: Child care for $25 a day would be introduced and 2,200 new spaces created over four years. Existing spaces would be transitioned into ones that cost $25 a day.
Projected cost: $202 million
Mental health: New emergency rooms would be established in the four largest cities to treat people dealing with mental-health and addictions issues.
Projected cost: $32 million
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct.25, 2020.
The Canadian Press