Released on May 26, 1997
Deputy Premier and Economic and Co-operative Development Minister DwainLingenfelter today told 250 members of Toronto's largest Rotary Club
that the Saskatchewan approach to fiscal management and economic and
social development could be applied at the national level to address
the challenges facing Canada.
"Saskatchewan has reduced the provincial sales tax, targeted tax
incentives to encourage new investment in industries such as hog
production and food processing and continues to spend on health care,
roads and education while maintaining a balanced budget," Lingenfelter
said. "This kind of balanced approach would benefit all of Canada."
Lingenfelter told the luncheon audience that Saskatchewan's vision for
an alternative national agenda would include:
a national commitment to a strong social safety net;
a co-operative national debt management plan;
a national training and investment strategy;
a comprehensive taxation review;
levelling up of standards for working conditions; and,
modernizing the Canadian federation to provide for effective
administrative arrangements among governments and which
recognize Quebec's unique linguistic and cultural identity while
being fair to all provinces.
Lingenfelter said when governments invest in community development,
economic growth, education and training people prosper and have a
greater sense of well-being.
"Saskatchewan has had five years of continued economic growth and
diversification led by booming exports and resources," Lingenfelter
said. "We've been among the national leaders in housing starts, along
with substantial increases in manufacturing and retail sales, to name a
few indicators. Business groups and economic forecasters all predict
continued economic growth and job creation for Saskatchewan in 1997 and
beyond."
In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Lingenfelter also had other
meetings to discuss Saskatchewan opportunities with senior executives.
He met in Montreal with Serge Godin, Chairman and CEO of the CGI Group
Inc. which recently merged with Saskatchewan-based Co-operators Data
Services Limited, and in Toronto with Allan Taylor, former Chair and
CEO of the Royal Bank and now Special Advisor to the Synchrotron
Project.
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For more information or to arrange call-backs, contact:
Debbie Wilkie
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691