Released on November 19, 1999
The Final Report of the Personal Income Tax Review Committee (PITRC) is nowavailable, and Finance Minister Eric Cline wants to hear what people have to
say about it.
"I made a commitment when the committee was established that its Report would
be made available to the public by the end of 1999," Cline said. "I am
honouring that commitment today. I am placing the committee's report and
recommendations before the public, and I invite Saskatchewan people to give me
their views on the very specific measures the committee has called for."
The committee was established in May, 1999, as promised in the 1999 Budget.
Its mandate was to seek public input and report to the Minister on how
Saskatchewan's personal tax system could be made simpler, fairer, more
competitive, and more responsive to peoples' needs. The committee was
specifically asked to examine the extent to which moving to a "tax on income"
would contribute to meeting these objectives.
"I want to thank the committee for their long hours of work, many miles of
travel and many days of hearing public concerns which preceded the report,"
Cline said. "Chairperson Jack Vicq along with committee members Charlie
Baldock and Shelley Brown have presented a number of very interesting
recommendations on the future of our Personal Income Tax system. They have
kept their end of the bargain. I will keep mine, which includes making the
report public by the end of 1999 and inviting the people of Saskatchewan to
review the report."
The PITRC Report, along with public commentary on the recommendations, will now
undergo detailed review by the minister and the department, during the planning
process for the upcoming budget cycle.
"Since 1995, provincial tax rates in Saskatchewan have come down, and they will
continue to come down," Cline said. "There are still many decisions to be made
on what represents a simple and fair system of taxation. The committee's report
will be of great assistance in helping chart a path for Saskatchewan people in
these areas."
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To obtain a copy of the report:
Phone: 1-888-287-8868
Write: Saskatchewan Finance
Taxation & Intergovernmental Affairs
9th Floor, 2350 Albert Street
Regina SK S4P 4A6
Web site: www.gov.sk.ca/finance/pitrc.htm
Those wishing to comment on the Report recommendations may do so by contacting
Eric Cline, Minister of Finance, as follows:
Regular mail: Room 312, Legislative Bldg.
Regina SK, S4S 0B3
E-mail: Minister.fi0@govmail.gov.sk.ca
Fax: (306) 787-6055
For more information:
Sandra Lodoen
Saskatchewan Finance
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6578