CALVERT AND SARM DISCUSS PROPERTY TAX

Released on June 10, 2004

Premier Lorne Calvert and Government Relations Minister Len Taylor met today with Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) President Neal Hardy and members of his Board to discuss the issue of the education portion of property taxes. The meeting took place following a rally at the legislative building to protest high education property taxes. SARM presented the Premier with a petition signed by more than 14,000 people requesting immediate tax reductions on rural properties.

"We recognize and appreciate the significance of this issue for rural property tax payers, especially at this time when our rural economy has suffered from drought and BSE," Calvert said. "We had a good, frank discussion on the issue of the education portion of property tax, and have agreed to focus our efforts together on working toward a solution to this problem."

"Our members have made it clear that the time for action on property tax reduction is now," SARM President Neal Hardy said. "We are going to continue to push the provincial government to make this their highest priority, and the Premier has committed to work with SARM to lay out a plan for long-term education property tax reduction."

Calvert pointed to a three-phase plan to address the property tax issue. First, restructure the school system to increase fairness and equity. Second, conducted a significant review of the foundation operation grant, and third, dedicate more resources to property tax reduction through a fairer equalization program and a stronger economy.

Premier Calvert and Minister Taylor reconfirmed as an interim measure a commitment to provide 30 per cent of proceeds of a fair equalization formula toward education property tax reduction.

Hardy agreed to join a delegation led by the Premier to Ottawa following the federal election to press the new Prime Minister for a fair equalization formula that will benefit the people of Saskatchewan and lead to economic growth to see Saskatchewan become a have province.

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For More Information, Contact:

Rob Cunningham Executive Council Regina Phone: (306)787-6349 Cell: (306) 539-1126	Ken Engel SARM Regina Phone: (306)757-3578
Neal Hardy SARM Phone: (306)865-6368