NDP, Sask. Party promise affordability on first day of election

Saskatchewan’s two largest political parties came out swinging on the first day of the province’s election period.

Carla Beck, leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, promised to get Saskatchewan out of “last place” when it comes to health and education, while also promising new affordability measures to help families struggling with bills.

“Our healthcare system is in crisis, our kids’ classrooms are underfunded, and families that used to be able to afford that yearly vacation are now struggling just to make ends meet,” Beck said in a statement.

The Saskatchewan NDP promised, if elected, to get the province “out of last place” while also lowering costs for families.

On her first day in office, the party said Beck will begin working on staffing improvements in the province’s health-care system, as well as cutting PST on both gas and groceries.

“This election, we can vote for a better future,” Beck added. “It’s time to get Saskatchewan out of last place on healthcare and education.”

The NDP also previously said that no taxes will be hiked if it forms Saskatchewan’s next government.

NDP Leader Carla Beck speaks on affordability concerns in the province, and what she would do if elected as premier. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/X3eSUe1IPa

— Gillian Massie (@massie_gillian) October 1, 2024

Sask. Party promises income tax reduction

Meanwhile, Scott Moe, leader of the incumbent Saskatchewan Party, kicked off his campaign with a promise to deliver the province’s largest income tax reduction since 2008, while also raising the Low Income Tax Credit.

“We will do this by increasing the personal exemption, increasing the spousal exemption, increasing the child exemption, and increasing the senior supplement by $500 each year for the next four years,” Moe told reporters.

Moe said the changes will save a family of four $2,100 over four years.

“When combined with our government’s indexation of personal tax rates, a family of four will save more than $3,400 and a senior couple will save more than $3,100 over the next four years,” Moe added in a statement.

According to the Saskatchewan Party, if Moe’s plan is implemented 54,000 people will no longer pay any income tax, and a family of four won’t pay any income tax until their combined income reaches $72,425.

Premier Scott Moe announces that if re-elected, the @SaskParty plans to reduce income tax by raising the personal income tax exemption, the spousal exemption, the child exemption, and the seniors supplement by $500 each year for the next four years. @CKOMNews @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/sgi1ToPMbZ

— Alex Brown (@AlexBrownYXE) October 1, 2024

The fiscal promises didn’t end there.

“A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will also put more money back in the pockets of low to moderate income individuals and families by increasing the Saskatchewan Low Income Tax Credit 20 per cent over the next four years,” the party added.

Both parties also took the chance to fire a few barbs at each other, with Moe saying his party has “a strong record of reducing taxes from the crushing levels they were at under the NDP,” and said his income tax reduction would benefit more people than the NDP’s promise to drop the provincial gas tax.

Beck, meanwhile, said the Sask. Party hasn’t shown any ability to balance a budget or have effective strategies.

“They’re good at spending money, I’ll give them that, but they’re terrible at delivering results for Saskatchewan people – it has to be both,” said Beck

When asked about how her party would pay for its campaign promises while also not raising taxes, Beck said a costed platform will be released “soon”.

Saskatchewan voters head to the polls on October 28.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story contained an error in Moe’s quote about spousal exemption.