Why Is Brad Wall Wearing NDP Orange?

Halfway through last week, the Saskatchewan Party pulled all of their overly aggressive 'attack' ads on Dwain Lingenfelter. Clearly, their polling showed that these scathing ads were not being well received by the public. To replace them, the Sask Party is now advancing a softer, friendly Brad Wall ..... wearing NDP orange!??

The brain trust who run the Saskatchewan Party campaign are leaving no bases uncovered!

Photo of 'NDP Brad' courtesy the Saskatchewan Party .....

How The Saskatchewan Party Shills For PotashCorp

Sask Party Shills for PotashCorp

by Erin Weir
October 28th, 2011

"Yesterday’s strong earnings report from the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan confirms what this blog and the NDP have been contending: even modestly increasing Saskatchewan’s extremely low royalties on hugely profitable potash mines could fund substantially better provincial public services.


The Saskatchewan Party still refuses to review potash royalties. In a well-timed column, Greg Fingas developed the theme that this gift to potash companies is the provincial election’s most expensive promise.


The Sask Party issued a carefully-worded press release implying that PotashCorp invested $590 million in Saskatchewan and paid nearly $332 million to the provincial government in the third quarter of 2011. Both suggestions are misleading.


While some commentators wrote that PotashCorp reinvested $590 million in Saskatchewan, the Sask Party itself stopped short of making that claim since this figure is a worldwide total. The company reports only that “the majority of the $590 million in capital expenditures” were in potash rather than nitrogen or phosphate.


The Sask Party compares this figure to $700 million of potash gross margin, at least 90% of which is from Saskatchewan as opposed to New Brunswick. If two-thirds of PotashCorp’s investment was in Saskatchewan potash mines, it reinvested something like 63% of its gross margin (i.e. $590*0.67/($700*0.9)), a far cry from the 84% put forward by the Sask Party. In contrast, 100% of every dollar in additional royalties would be reinvested in the province.


The Sask Party went on to claim, “PotashCorp paid another $332 million in potash royalties and income taxes in the third quarter – the vast majority of which would have been paid in Saskatchewan.” This figure is the sum of “provincial mining and other taxes” ($53 million) and “income taxes” ($279 million). The $53 million is Saskatchewan’s potash production tax and resource surcharge.


The $279 million is worldwide corporate income tax, more of which goes to the Canadian federal government than to provincial governments. (Note that the Sask Party wrote “paid in Saskatchewan” not “paid to Saskatchewan.”)


PotashCorp has confirmed that it paid only $82 million of corporate tax to the Saskatchewan government throughout 2010, less than it paid to Trinidad. Saskatchewan people should get a better return."
Progressive Economics Forum

Brad Wall SCRAMBLES To Change Channel From Windfall Potash Profits To ..... No School Until After Labour Day!?

PotashCorp embarrassed Sask Party Leader Brad Wall yesterday by releasing Third Quarter figures which prove that the province is being robbed blind.

The last phase of the provincial election seems to be focusing on the Billions of dollars being gouged out of Saskatchewan by the potash industry. New Democrats want to squeak out an extra 'nickel on the dollar' of these profits while Brad Wall wants to keep enriching the rich.

So back to yesterday. With the Q3 report on record industry profits, Wall desperately needed to change the channel and get the pundits, MSM and hopefully, the public, onto another topic.

Right out of the blue, without any other context, he announced that no school in Saskatchewan will be able to reconvene classes until after the Labour Day weekend in order to help out the tourism industry.

As you would expect, the MSM took the bait and we have a new issue in the campaign today.

How PotashCorp Hauls BILLIONS Of Our Dollars Out Of Saskatchewan Every Year

PotashCorp earns US$826 million in Q3

27/10/2011
The Canadian Press
SASKATOON - Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (TSX:POT) more than doubled its profits in the latest quarter on higher production and record sales.

The world's largest fertilizer producer reported early Thursday its net income jumped to US$826 million, or 94 cents per share in the three months ended Sept. 30.

That was more than double the 38 cents per share, or $343 million in profits the company earned in the same quarter last year.

Sales in the quarter jumped to US$2.3 billion from $1.58 billion last year as the company cashed in on growing demand for fertilizer in China, India and other parts of the world.

PotashCorp, which reports in U.S. dollars, said record third-quarter sales and significantly higher prices raised potash gross margin to $700 million - the second-highest third-quarter total in company history.

This raised gross margin for the year to $2.2 billion, well ahead of the $1.3 billion earned in the first three quarters of 2010.

Production in the quarter hit a record 1.9 million tonnes, up from 1.3 million tonnes a year earlier.

The company says offshore potash demand remained robust during the third quarter and on pace to achieve record levels in 2011.

PotashCorp president and CEO Bill Doyle said the "undeniable need for potash, phosphate and nitrogen" ensured products moved through the system to reach farmers around the world.

"Our third-quarter performance reflected the unrelenting pressure on global food production - and the strength of our growing fertilizer enterprise."

After the rejection of BHP Billiton's hostile $40 billion bid for PotashCorp last year, the Saskatoon company has moved ahead with expansion plans and developments to boost supply.

And despite recent weakness in the global economy, the prospects remain bright for the industry.

"Despite economic uncertainty around the world, a growing population has and will continue to need more food and, ultimately, more fertilizer," added Doyle.

"By recognizing this powerful long-term trend and making the commitment to be prepared for growing demand, especially for potash, we anticipate new opportunities in the years ahead. Our expanding operational capability will be increasingly valuable - in helping grow global food production and in serving the interests of all stakeholders in our company."

Sympatico.ca.Finance

Transcript Of Racist Comments Made By Saskatchewan Party Candidate During Debate In Yorkton

An interesting observation in the matter of Sask Party candidate,Greg Ottenbriet's use of racist comments at a Yorkton 'All candidates' debate. The question that prompted the comments almost appears to be a 'softball' question thrown by a Sask Party supporter for Mr. Ottenbreit's benefit. According to financial statements filed by the candidate last election, the person who asked the question is a large financial contributor. (see page 9 of the financial statement):

Transcript of Greg Ottenbreit at candidate’s forum in Yorkton, Oct. 19, 2011


MODERATOR: Lawrence Wegner, you got a question?

LAWRENCE WEGNER: Thanks, Randy. Going back to royalties for a second here. Recently it was announced by the opposition that if they were elected they were going to enter into negotiations with the First Nations in regards to sharing the royalties that our province has. My question is, I’d really like you both to leave your party platforms on the table and come up and answer this personally. How do you feel about a government negotiating the royalties struc--the royalties of our province to minorities and special interest groups?
MODERATOR: Thanks Lawrence. Chad?


CHAD BLENKIN: Thanks for your question, Lawrence. On a personal note, I spent three years at Enterprise Saskatchewan on entrepreneurship council. And during my tenure there, this was one of the areas with the First Nations that I worked hard on. I think the negotiations of potash royalties with the First Nations, what we’re trying to achieve as the NDP is just to get those talks started. We have had a considerable amount of backlash since we made this announcement but I just recall going back to where we were when we made the announcement years ago to do this with the casinos and look at where we are today, especially here in Yorkton. The casino is one of the largest employers. Everybody said it wouldn’t work. It, they’re providing 60, 60 to 70 per cent, 60 per cent of their employees are of First Nations ancestry, so 40 per cent of their employees aren’t even from that community. So I think where we need to work with the First Nations is providing them some entrepreneurship training and some guidance and taking some of these royalty revenues and allowing them to build economies. Like we see even the Petro Canada, that’s a success. We have a lot of people working there. That’s what we need to do is help and train them into building their own businesses so that they can be more [in?]dependent on their own. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Greg Ottenbreit.

GREG OTTENBREIT: Well, I will sincerely agree with Chad on one thing and that is engaging the First Nations people on education, training and in the economy because that is the most important thing. If you talk to, I have a lot of First Nations friends, I’ll talk to them about this, quite a bit and they’ll tell you that. Like, the handouts, the money that comes so free and easy, all it does is go to, quite often, drugs and alcohol and other things and creates more social pro-, er social issues. As far as, with the royalty rates, and I think Lawrence talked about minorities and special interest groups, absolutely not. I felt that, many years, probably the first year I was in government, and some of these issues would come up and we would be talking about it. And in talking to a lot of my First Nations friends, they seem to be very understanding. They will say, well if we get say a portion of royalties, does that mean that we have to pay a portion of roads, highways, schools, hospitals that we use. They realize and I realized quite quickly one of the first meetings I had when I was in government was the office of the treaty commissioner. And when they are interpreting the treaty, the treaty says we are treaty people, like everybody, white, non-First Nations and First Nations alike. And those royalties are for everybody, we’re paying for the provincial debt, we’re paying for healthcare, we’re paying for hospitals, and schools and highways that everybody uses equally. So there’s no special interest group. I feel personally I’m very onside with our policy that they’re for all of us.

More ......
-Federation Of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Calls For Resignation Of Saskatchewan Party Candidate For Racist Comments

Lingenfelter Delivers Strong Showing In Televised Leader's Debate

Sask NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter delivered a strong, strong performance in the Leader's Debate tonight. Wall sounded like an opposition leader, having the challenge of defending the minimalist status quo agenda that his party believes in.

Lingenfelter sounded and felt like a premier. Wall repeated rhetoric on the so called 'Boom' - something that simply is not being felt by the middle-class and the poor. The affluent are really 'booming' now and Wall had a hard time explaining how the 'boom' has effectively 'trickled down to average working families'. Good debate!

Federation Of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Calls For Resignation Of Saskatchewan Party Candidate For Racist Comments

Brad Wall continues to defend one of his candidates for racist remarks. It is typical of Mr. Wall to NEVER back down even when he is wrong. The suitability of a candidate for ANY party is compromised by racist remarks .... regardless of whether an apology was made or not. Greg Ottenbreit is NOT fit to be a Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly because of the idiocy that came out of his mouth. Mr. Wall better figure that out quickly because now this says more about him than it does about his candidate in Yorkton!

"The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is calling on Premier Brad Wall to remove Greg Ottenbreit as the Sask Party candidate in Yorkton for the November 7 provincial election.

FSIN vice-chief Greg Ottenbreit asked for the removal after Ottenbreit made a remark at an all-candidates forum in Yorkton last week.

On October 19, Ottenbreit responded to a question about revenue resource-sharing with First Nations when he said that his aboriginal friends told him handouts or free money can be used for alcohol or drugs.

“Comments such as these cause the public to form opinion and reinforce negative images of First Nation people,” said Watson.

“At their worst ignorance is confirmed and as a result First Nation people again must defend themselves against these kind of attacks.

“We call upon Brad Wall to pull Gary Ottenbreit’s candidacy from the provincial election,” said Yorkton tribal chief Gilbert Panipekeesick adding the removal of Ottenbreit will show First Nations people they are a valuable part of the province.

Ottenbreit has apologized for his remarks, saying they were poorly chosen and that drugs and alcohol are a challenge in every community, not just First Nations.

Wall has rejected calls for Ottenbreit’s resignation, saying he is a good man who understands that what he said was wrong."

Global Saskatoon

Comparing The Platform Costs Of The Main Parties In The Saskatchewan Election

Economist, Erin Weir lays out the fiscal impact of platforms put forward by the two main parties contesting the current Saskatchewan Election:

"Saskatchewan’s two major parties have unveiled their election platforms.

The NDP’s fiscal plan is to collect higher potash royalties and reinvest the proceeds in public priorities like healthcare, education and housing. Columnist Murray Mandryk notes the spectre of Erin Weir.

The NDP has expressed a willingness to discuss sharing resource revenues with First Nations. The Sask Party criticizes the NDP for not costing this possibility.

However, as Mike McCracken observes, successful resource-sharing arrangements with the Nisga’a in BC and First Nations in the Yukon took a decade to negotiate. There is no reason to believe that potential Saskatchewan negotiations would affect provincial finances during the four years covered by the NDP platform.

The Sask Party’s Seinfeld platform is a collection of miniscule announcements (and re-announcements) that can be funded out of projected budget surpluses. Greg Fingas points out the similarity to Harper’s federal campaign strategy.

While the Sask Party revels in the modesty of its campaign promises, guaranteeing rock-bottom royalties for potash companies is extremely costly. It would forgo at least $700 million annually by 2015-16.

As the following table shows, the main difference between the Sask Party and NDP platforms is not the dollar amount but its allocation among various priorities."
Erin Weir
Progressive Economics Forum

How Brad Wall JINXED The Saskatchewan Roughriders

"A sports-related curse or jinx is a superstitious belief in the effective action of some power or evil, that is used to explain the failures or misfortunes of specific sports teams, players, or even cities. Teams, players, and cities often cite a "curse" for many negative things, such as their inability to win a sports championship, or unexpected injuries."
The Nature of Sports 'Jinxes'

Okay ... here's my superstitious belief:

Everyone knows that you shouldn't mix politics & religion but most avid sports fans also know that you must always avoid mixing politics and sports. 

Too late now!

One of the strategies of the Saskatchewan Party was to try and co-opt the Saskatchewan Roughriders as their very own. Wall is a fan of the team, no doubt, but so are legions of New Democrats as well as the Greens and the last few Liberals that still exist in the province.

The Roughriders are a 'community owned team' - (sounds socialist!!). You would think that Brad Wall and his Sask Party would want to privatize them. If such a thing were ever proposed by Saskatchewan's angry Right, it would spell the end of the Sask Party in about a week.

So, back to the title of my post. For years the Saskatchewan Party have been playing political games with the Roughriders. A favorite slogan of Brad's was 'the Riders have never won a Grey Cup under an NDP government'. Trust me, the gods of football rolled their eyes at that early attempt by the Sask Party to claim ownership of the team.

It is true that the Saskatchewan Roughriders did win a Grey Cup a few days after Mr. Wall was elected in 2007. What he doesn't advertise is that the Riders have LOST two further Grey Cups under a Sask Party government ... (by a combined total of only 4 points in both 2009 and 2010) !

Going into this election, Brad Wall worked hard to get a playing Roughrider to stand for election as a Saskatchewan Party MLA. Enter Gene Makowsky. He is running against Regina Dewdney NDP MLA, Kevin Yates .... (who by the way once before defeated a Roughrider who was running for the Saskatchwan Party).

Go Kevin Go!

But here's the kicker ... the biggest thing that ticked off the Football gods and jinxed the team is the Sask Party sponsorship of the CKRM 620 Roughrider Pre-Game radio show.

I love the show but I hate hearing ads for Brad Wall every 5 minutes. This mixture of politics and sports is what has angered the dieties of the game of football and jinxed the team the most. It is why (in my humble opinion) the Saskatchewan Roughriders have fallen from Western Conference Champions for the last two years to the basement of the Western CFL Conference at 4 wins and 11 loses.

I blame Brad Wall 
;)

Saskatchewan Party Candidate Forced To Apologize For Racist Comment Towards First Nations

"A Saskatchewan Party candidate is apologizing after suggesting First Nations people who get "handouts" sometimes spend it on drugs and alcohol.

Greg Ottenbreit, who is the party's Yorkton candidate, issued a written apology Friday for comments he made two days earlier at an all-candidates forum.

Ottenbreit said he made the improper remarks in response to a question about resource revenue-sharing with First Nations, something the NDP wants to hold talks about, but which the Saskatchewan Party opposes.

"I don't remember my exact words, but I said something like, 'What I have been told by some of my First Nations friends is that sometimes when there are handouts or the money comes free and easy, it can be used for alcohol and drugs,'" Ottenbreit said in a news release.

The exact wording of Ottenbreit's comments at the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum wasn't immediately available.

"This was an inappropriate comment. I sincerely apologize for any pain my words have caused and ask forgiveness from anyone I have offended," Ottenbreit said.

There are several reserves around Yorkton, a city of about 15,000 people that's home to a First Nations-run casino and several other First Nations-run agencies.

"My words were poorly chosen. Drugs and alcohol are a challenge in every community and not specific to First Nations. This issue has nothing to do with revenue sharing," Ottenbreit said.

On Thursday, Sask. Party Leader Brad Wall criticized NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter for not being specific about how much revenue-sharing with First Nations would cost.

The Saskatchewan treasury takes in billions of dollars every year in oil, gas, potash revenues, money that goes toward hospitals, schools, highways and other expenses.

Wall and his campaign have suggested that based on what some First Nations leaders have said, a revenue-sharing deal could cost the province $1.6 billion over four years.

However, Lingenfelter has said there's no set number because there's no agreement in place — any revenue-sharing deal would have to be negotiated."
CBC Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan needs a government that cares about working people

SASKATOON – Everyone should benefit from the province’s economic growth and have a government that cares about working people, NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter said today.


Speaking as an invited guest of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour at its convention in Saskatoon, Lingenfelter said the NDP is committed to fair policies for workers and employers, affordable programs and services such as childcare and an economy that benefits everyone.


“All working people will benefit from the NDP’s plans for affordability for families,” said Lingenfelter. “With 10,000 new childcare spaces, working parents will be able to find accessible childcare. With a freeze on tuition, working families will be able to afford to send their kids to one of our excellent universities or SIAST institutions.”


Lingenfelter announced at the SFL convention the NDP is committed to raise the minimum wage. He said an NDP government will increase the minimum wage to $10.50 an hour, effective March 1, 2012. Once the minimum wage is established, Lingenfelter said it will be annually indexed to the cost of living to provide both employees and business people certainty in their personal and financial planning.


Lingenfelter said the NDP believes Saskatchewan needs to restore fair and balanced labour legislation, after the Saskatchewan Party introduced bills that hurt workers. The International Labour Organization, a component of the United Nations, has condemned the Sask Party legislation.


Lingenfelter said the NDP will:

- Repeal Bills 5, 6 and 80 which unbalance the province’s laws.

- Repeal the changes of Bill 43, which threatens the rights of citizens to demonstrate or rally.

Lingenfelter said working people concerned about more jobs in the economy will see a significant push for more small business jobs by eliminating the small business tax as well as ushering in growth in the new green jobs sector by building clean, renewable electricity and retrofitting homes.

“I’m proud our plan will deliver government that cares for all working people and their families. Let’s elect an NDP Government to bring positive change to Saskatchewan.”

More Fabrications From The Saskatchewan Party Campaign

"Contrary to what you heard from Premier Brad Wall Thursday, the problem with the NDP platform isn't that it's a wild 1980s spending spree. We've yet to see a campaign come close, even in actual dollars, to the outlandish Progressive Conservative government of 1986 - a party that Wall worked for, aspired to run for and certainly campaigned for - which offered everyone $1,500 grants for decks and hot tubs. Today's NDP promises aren't like that."

Regina Leader-Post
October 21, 2011

.... But How Does Brad Wall Deal With Getting Caught 'False Advertising? .....

So in a nutshell, here's how Brad Wall rolls:

1) He accuses the NDP leader of being hypocritical for wanting to keep head office jobs in Saskatchewan - in their TV ad they claim that Lingenfelter was responsible for moving Nexen head office staff to Calgary;

2) The CEO of Nexen says that the decision to move staff was not Lingenfelter's to make and that the Sask Party ad was inaccurate and disingenuous;

3) Brad Wall tries to cover his error (not with a retraction of the FALSE ad), but by rephrasing the accusation ... now they are saying that Lingenfelter was indisputably "involved" with the move of staff.

(your old pal Colin Thatcher would be proud of you Brad! :)

Brad Wall Gets Caught With False Advertising

This campaign, the Saskatchewan Party is putting forth a lot of 'attack ads' against New Democrat Leader, Dwain Lingenfelter. In their ususal enthusiasm to slander and slur, they have been caught with yet another falsehood:

"The New Democrats say the Saskatchewan Party is making false claims in a TV ad that touches on NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter's employment with a Calgary-based oil company.

And a retired executive with that company, Nexen, is backing the NDP up, saying the campaign ad is completely inaccurate.

The ad, which has been aired numerous times on Saskatchewan TV stations and has been posted to YouTube, essentially accuses Lingenfelter of serial hypocrisy on nuclear power, rent control and other issues.

"Dwain Lingenfelter says one thing but does another," the commercial says. The specific claim NDP officials are objecting to concerns Lingenfelter's role with Nexen as a vice-president of government relations at a time when the company moved an office from Regina to Calgary.

"He says he wants head office jobs in Saskatchewan but he moved his own head office and all those jobs to Calgary," the ad says.

However, Charlie Fischer, who was Nexen CEO at the time, said "that just is not true," adding the decision to move was not Lingenfelter's to make.

"He had nothing to do with that decision, so it's just not right," Fischer said.

Fischer described himself as a "fan" of Sask. Party Leader Brad Wall, but said he felt he needed to defend his former employee.

The Sask. Party, meanwhile, insists the ad is accurate. Kindersley candidate Bill Boyd says he was lobbied by Lingenfelter in 2001.

Boyd says Lingenfelter wanted the Wascana Energy Act dropped — a law which required his company to keep certain executive jobs in Saskatchewan.

Lingenfelter worked for Nexen as a vice-president of government relations when the company moved an office from Regina to Calgary.

"Once again the Sask Party focuses on negative campaigning instead of positive ideas for the future of our province," Lingenfelter said in a written statement."
CBC.ca

As is usual, the Saskatchewan Party refuses to pull the false advertisement.

A Slow Burn Underneath Saskatchewan's Ruling Party - By Brian Topp , September 2010

The following article was written a year ago by Brian Topp ... prior to his election as President of the New Democratic Party of Canada and prior to the death of Jack Layton with Mr. Topp's subsequent run for Leader of the NDP. This great article sheds light on a major problem that smolders beneath Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party:

A slow burn underneath Saskatchewan's ruling party
Brian Topp
Posted on Saturday, September 18, 2010
Globe & Mail

"To my good fortune, I got to go back to Regina for a few days last weekend to attend some interesting meetings at the request of New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton.

Mr. Layton demonstrated some important truths about the value of deliberative democracy at those sessions. At the end of the day, adult political debate produces the best results, even if some of our country's columnists find them difficult to endure and prefer the discipline of phony "majority government". The alternative they prefer, on offer from both Michael Ignatieff and Stephen Harper, is about infantilizing our Members of Parliament and our democracy. This commentator put things very well.

Meanwhile, visiting the province gave me an opportunity to catch up with some friends and with the always-fascinating world of Saskatchewan provincial politics. The elm trees lining the city's downtown residential neighbourhoods are at their most beautiful this time of year. The marble Legislature gleams. And Conservatives are fighting each other over the net proceeds of a generation of bagmen.

What's with that?

As is explained here, in 1995 Saskatchewan's Progressive Conservative Party set up a trust fund. They reportedly tucked about $3-million into that fund, left over from many years of fundraising by their party among Albertan oil companies, on Bay Street, and among various other (shall we say) stakeholders of the former government of premier Grant Devine.

In 1995 the Progressive Conservatives were four years out of office. They rarely polled in the double digits. They were about to be clobbered again in another election. And so they decided they needed to bring some better order to their sole remaining asset -- that big pile of cash, raised from persons unknown.

In 1997, some Liberal MLAs left their party and formed a coalition with the Progressive Conservative rump in the Saskatchewan Legislature. This new entity, the "Saskatchewan Party," allowed the province's conservatives to slowly turn the page on their lamentable record in office. After a decade's work, they finally took power under Premier (and former Devine political aide) Brad Wall in 2007.

As for the province's Progressive Conservative Party, it took a two-election hiatus.

But then, it turned out, the Saskatchewan PCs had some life left in them. Progressive Conservatives were proud of their long record. As is recounted here, they first elected an MLA in 1887, and played a central role in Saskatchewan politics ever since. They were the party of John Diefenbaker. They didn't see themselves in the soft-focus "Saskatchewan Party" brand. They didn't want to disappear. And so they elected a new leader (former PC MLA Rick Swenson, a formidable politician), and ran some candidates in the 2007 election.

And they asked for their money back.

However, key figures from the "Saskatchewan Party" control the $3-million fund. They declined to make the fund available for its purpose, which (as spelled out in its charter) is to "support the operations of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan."

So as you'd expect, the whole matter has ended up in court.

Premier Wall's Saskatchewan Party has advanced numerous ingenious legal arguments to avoid handing these funds over to their former co-religionists, but have so far fared poorly. Most recently, on July 22, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled against the Saskatchewan Party, preventing the whole matter from being thrown out.

It's Saskatchewan politics at its best. And it is a gift that gives in a number of ways.

The Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative Party may turn out to have the better legal arguments, in which case a formidably-financed new political player may eventually resurface on the Wall government's right flank. Many Conservatives would celebrate this return of their party, and the ability to vote for an option untainted by Liberals.

Meanwhile, the increasingly successful New Democratic opposition, led by former deputy premier Dwain Lingenfelter, have been handed a useful prop to demonstrate the direct link between Mr. Wall's government and Mr. Devine's former administration and record.

Mr. Wall seems to have a problem with money. His government made a $2-billion mistake estimating the province's revenues this year, patched over through a set of desperate expedients. He must be tempted to take the $3-million in that fund and burn it in the parking lot in front of the Legislature -- not unlike what he has done to the provincial finances. Instead, the fund is doing a slow burn inside the "Saskatchewan Party's" carefully-reconstructed brand."

Brad Wall Says 'Overestimation' Of Revenues Was His Biggest Mistake - Yet He Continues To Drag Flawed Estimates Into The Election Debate!

"Asked what was has been the most regrettable mistake of his first term, Wall quickly responded “that we didn’t build more caution in ’09 budget” that overestimated potash revenues by a massive $2 billion. He admits the massive economic boom in 2008 when the provincial government raked in an unexpected extra billion dollars in oil land lease sales alone likely contributed to the discarding of caution.
“But you know what? ’09 was likely the best thing that happened to us in this term,” Wall said, adding that it hopefully made both his government and party more cautious -"
Premier Brad Wall
Regina Leader-Post
October, 14 2011


"Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall, at a pancake breakfast Saturday in Regina, claimed the NDP's promise of resource revenue sharing with aboriginal groups would cost the provincial treasury $1.6 billion. (Ed. Note: ??? based on what??) Wall noted a return to an NDP government on Nov. 7 would mean a $900-million deficit over the next four years, even without the revenue-sharing promise. [...} The (New Democratic) party also pointed out that the Saskatchewan Party miscalculated the NDP's promise for additional health care clinics, by applying the full cost in each year of the promised four year phase-in of the plan. The NDP also say their opponent double-counted a $25 million promise for University of Regina student housing."
CBC Saskatchewan


"Even Friday's announcement of $320.8 million for a housing strategy - while a tad pricey when added to all the other NDP promises - wasn't all that bad. In a nice north Regina suburban home complete with a friendly mom and a bug's-ear-cute little girl, Lingenfelter introduced his "next-generation rent-control plan" that will include "fair-rent" legislation, $216 million to help community-based organizations build 2,500 affordable rental units and PST rebates to private developers building new homes valued under $280,000. It's not earth-shattering, but it beats Premier Brad Wall's policy of leaving it up to the landlords to sort the problem out with their renters.

Similarly, the NDP healthcare platform unveiled Wednesday was less terrifying than the Sask. Party tried to make it out to be. Again, it's a little pricey when you add up all the $10and $20-million items. But there are some good, affordable ideas here - including the much-ballyhooed 30 new primary clinics that the NDP is now pricing at $850,000 each year apiece. What Lingenfelter and the NDP are really talking about here is once-or twice-a-week walk-in clinics."
Regina Leader-Post
October 15, 2011

Why Is Brad Wall Meeting With BHP Billiton During The Election Campaign?

Sask Party leader Brad Wall is meeting with BHP Billiton’s board of directors this afternoon.

Call me old fashioned ... but there are real people in Saskatchewan that Mr. Wall should be meeting with instead:
-people still waiting to be compensated for flood damage earlier this year
-people at the Regina Food Bank who are worried the orgnaization will have to shut down
-students and families trying to find reasonably priced accomodation in Regina and Saskatoon
-farmers who are fighting to keep the Canadian Wheat Board alive

Multi-national corporations are not 'people'. Yet in Saskatchewan, the Wall government continues to serve the needs of big business over the needs of less affluent citizens.

Swift Current NDP Campaign Office Vandalized

SWIFT CURRENT — The NDP campaign office in Swift Current was vandalized last night.

A tire jack was thrown through the front window of the office. NDP candidate Aaron Ens was not in the building at the time, nor were any campaign volunteers.

“We’re upset and disturbed,” said Louise Walker, the volunteer office manager. “It’s disgraceful that when a young person steps up to be involved in democracy, he is treated with this kind of violent disrespect.”

The RCMP has been called to the scene. The office is located at 329 Central Ave. North.

NDP will stop out-of-control rent increases with rent control; make housing affordable

One of the unintended problems with Brad Wall's hype about the 'BOOM' has been the impact on property values in Saskatchewan's major cities. Clearly, housing prices have inflated. As a result, landlords are taking the 'new' inflated value of their rental properties and are jacking up rental charges to reflect the 'higher' inflated property values.

By and large these rent increase have NOTHING to do with an increase in any REAL costs. It is simply a gouge by landlords - PERIOD! The Right wing Saskatchewan Party has nothing but blind faith in the forces of the 'free market' to remedy the problem. #FAIL!

Many, many Saskatchewan citizens who rent are now being gouged because of Brad Wall's inability to comprehend what is happening in the rental market.

New Democrats have no problem understanding the problem and are offering substantive measures to deal with it:

REGINA - The NDP will put an end to out-of-control rent increases and the lack of affordable housing in Saskatchewan with a solid plan for renters and new home buyers.

The NDP outlined its multi-faceted plan to stop skyrocketing rent increases through next-generation rent control; build affordable housing via incentives for developers, co-operatives and community organizations; and target homelessness through a Housing First strategy in its first four years of government.

“The NDP will end these out-of-control rent increases as soon as we are elected government,” said Dwain Lingenfelter, NDP Leader. “Housing needs to be affordable for everyone, and our next-generation rent control plan is fair for renters and for landlords.”

The NDP plan for stopping out-of-control rent increases and building affordable housing includes:

--Introducing next-generation rent control. By introducing legislation that uses a “fair rents” model, the rent control plan includes allowances for new construction and non-corporate landlords.
--Building affordable homes using incentives for private developers such as PST rebates on material input costs for new homes priced under $280,000 and giving first-time home buyers a $2,000 grant to cover closing and related costs.
--Building 2,500 new affordable rental units by investing $216 million more in community-based organizations and co-operatives, including 1,000 units dedicated to student accommodation. Included in this investment is a $20 million commitment to the Housing First approach to fight homelessness.
--Help community-based organizations and co-operatives purchase land with $20 million commitment, as well as offer no-interest loans for construction of new affordable units.

The total cost of the NDP’s commitments to affordable rent and housing is $320.8 million over four years.

“Saskatchewan residents need and deserve a government that will address the issue of housing head-on,” said Lingenfelter. “We hear from people who are facing skyrocketing rents and too few affordable housing options all the time. It’s time for next-generation rent control because it’s the responsible thing to do.”

New Democrats Want To Engage In Some Resource Revenue Sharing With Saskatchewan's Aboriginal People - But The Saskatchewan Party .... not so much ....

During his first term in power, Brad Wall had NO problem implementing the concept of 'revenue sharing' with Saskatchewan's municipal governments. However, when it comes to working with First Nations he reacts extremely negatively!

Brad Wall is more than content to have mega-corporations gouge the people of Saskatchewan when it comes to ongoing resource royalty structures. As an example, PotatshCorp continues to rip Billions in windfall profits from the province.

New Democrats will ensure that all the people of this province get a fair return for our non-renewable resources.

RED PHEASANT FIRST NATION – Provincial governments need to do a better job connecting with First Nations and Métis people by dealing directly with the issues that matter including training, education, roads and resource revenue sharing, according to NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter.

Speaking on the Red Pheasant First Nation, Lingenfelter announced a commitment to a better relationship with First Nations and Métis people and to negotiations on a resource revenue sharing arrangement.

“We recognize that the negotiations will be complex, but just as the NDP worked with First Nations governments to forge a new and groundbreaking Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement, we will seek a new relationship in revenue sharing upon forming an NDP government,” said Lingenfelter.

Lingenfelter also pledged $2.5 million annually toward the goal of increasing the aboriginal high school graduation rate by 50 per cent in four years and to expanding post-secondary and other training opportunities in First Nations, Métis and remote communities.

“We will build on the successful partnerships we have had with the Gabriel Dumont Institute and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies to provide training to the people who need it in the locations where they need it,” Lingenfelter said. “And people will actually be able to drive to those locations because the NDP will fix the roads.”

Lingenfelter said that additional funding specifically targeted to roads to First Nations and remote communities is part of the government’s platform and overall commitment to highways and transportation.

The NDP has the largest number of aboriginal candidates running for a provincial party in the province’s history with 11 First Nations or Métis candidates.

“I am proud of the number of top-notch aboriginal candidates that have won our party’s nomination in their constituency and joined our team,” Lingenfelter said. “We encourage First Nations and Métis people to vote for the party that is committed to dealing with the issues that matter to them.”

NDP Candidate Hospitalized After Vehicle Accident

Catlin Hogan, NDP candidate for Martensville, is in hospital today after a vehicle accident on Wednesday.

Hogan is expected to recover from a concussion and injuries to his leg.

“I know I speak for the entire NDP family in extending my very best to Catlin for a speedy recovery,” said NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter. “He’s a good man who is enthusiastic about being on the doorsteps in Martensville, meeting with and hearing about the issues raised by those residents. I sincerely hope he’s able to get back to the activities he loves, and soon.”

Hogan has expressed his desire to continue his campaign for positive change for the residents of Martensville.


UPDATE:
Catlin Hogan, NDP candidate for Martensville, was released from Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital on Thursday. Hogan suffered injuries as a result of a vehicle accident on Wednesday.

He has told his NDP family that he’s recovering comfortably at home and is grateful for the well-wishes that have poured in from his friends and supporters.

Hogan is not available for comment or visitors while he recovers and awaits further treatment for a leg injury. He has told the NDP that he does intend to continue his campaign as soon as he’s able.

Brad Wall Supports 'Single-Desk' Marketing Of Saskatchewan Potash BUT NOT For Wheat!?

The following post was originally published in Next Year Country:

"Can someone explain why Premier Brad Wall, now standing for re-election in Saskatchewan, was passionate about his support for single desk selling of potash yet he can hardly lift a finger to support the majority of farmers who just voted for single desk selling of their wheat and barley?

At least Alberta is a little closer to deep water and has oil and the cattle feeding sector, but what does Saskatchewan have? A couple of potash mines that look pretty small by most standards, and a huge grain farming sector. Saskatchewan produces better than 60% of the wheat and barley the CWB markets each year.

For every dollar a farmer earns, he puts about eight dollars into circulation in the economy. Ending the CWB is estimated to remove between 500 million to one and a half billion dollars from the western economy, and most of that will come out of Saskatchewan.

If this does not become an election issue, more than just the premier have their heads in the sand.
Posted by Next Year Country

New Democrats Would Remove Small Business Tax

NORTH BATTLEFORD – An NDP government will eliminate the small business tax, helping over 98 per cent of Saskatchewan businesses grow, the party announced today in North Battleford.

“Small businesses employ one-third of all workers in ¬Saskatchewan,” said NDP leader, Dwain Lingenfelter. “Our plan is a promise to lower the tax burden on those community-builders and job creators so they can grow, hire and make their own success a part of the Saskatchewan story.”

Supplementary to the phased-out elimination of the small business tax, the NDP will work with small businesses to provide on-the-job training for skilled workers, filling a gap in trades and skilled workers in order to give businesses the employee resources to expand.

The program will also include the introduction of the Northern Economic Strategy, which will expand business opportunities in forestry, mining, tourism, processing and aquaculture. An emphasis of the Northern Economic Strategy will be job creation by small business.

The fully-costed plan also includes the resources to review small business regulations to cut unnecessary red tape.

“Entrepreneurs in a diversity of sectors have been builders of this province,” said Lingenfelter. “We want to encourage that model to continue and thrive.”
Saskatchewan New Democrats

Postscript:
Now we wait for the Saskatchewan Party to claim that this policy will cost a TRILLION DOLLARS, and for the Regina Leader-Post to back them up!

When The Sask Party Stumbles - The Regina Leader-Post Helps Them To Their Feet And Wipes Their Nose

While reading Murray Mandryk's little piece on Brad Wall the other day, I realized that the writer's goal was to ensure that I got all misty eyed over the fact that Premier Brad Wall is a really swell guy. #FAIL!

I've met Mr. Wall and I've spoken to Mr. Wall. He seems like a nice enough fellow at a personal level. I am positive that if he were my next door neighbor, I could leave the keys to my house with him while I did a weekend away from home. That doesn't change the fact that I will still never vote for him because his politics are wrong.

But back to how the Regina Leader-Post has adopted an editorial policy that will not allow anything negative to be said about Mr. Wall and his Saskatchewan Party.

As we go into this election, the Sask Party has the advantage of using their role as 'government' to draw upon some of the resources of the public service. Case in point - When the New Democrats unveiled their plan for a number of rural primary healthcare clinics, the Sask Party had the option of asking Saskatchewan Health to quickly bring forward a rough estimate on the cost of the proposal. However, the Sask Party central campaign dreamed up a figure that (as it turns out) was 1000 times the real amount.

So how does the Regina Leader-Post deal with this blatant political idiocy by the Saskatchewan Party? Well .... they blame the NDP for not helping the Sask Party do their job. Yup! The Leader Post helped the Sask Party back up to their feet, dusted them off, took out a hanky and helped them blow their nose.

Nice work Regina LP! I cancelled my subscription years ago. Others should as well.

REALITY 1 - Sask Party 0

The Saskatchewan Party campaign central still hasn't taken the erroneous post down from their site. Oh well. Being out by 1000% is no big deal to Brad Wall!

-CBC Saskatchewan has more ....

Brad Wall VERSUS Reality #2 UPDATED!

(Image courtesy Saskatchewan Party Website - Click on image to enlarge)

Everyone in Saskatchewan knows that Premier Brad Wall honed his political skills when he worked for the disastrous Grant Devine administration as a Senior Ministerial Aide in the 1980's. It shows!

The Saskatchewan Party has started the campaign off with a strategy of inflating the cost of all promises and policies of the New Democrats in order to portray them as 'fiscally irresponsible'. Let's take a quick look at how the Sask Party is trying to grossly overestimate the cost of New Democratic policy.

In its faulty estimation of the cost of the NDP’s plan for 30 new primary healthcare clinics, the Sask Party multiplied the annual cost of the Saskatoon Community Clinic’s ($7-million provincial cost by 30), and then multiplied that total by four (to cover 4 years of the next term). They arrived at the bizarre figure of $840 Million and then took the liberty of rounding it up to $900,000,000 as you can see in the graphic above.

Based on Saskatchewan Health’s 2010-11 Annual Report, the NDP estimates that the average operating cost of a primary healthcare clinic will be $850,000 annually. Therefore, 30 additional clinics by the fourth year of an NDP government will cost $25.5 million in 2015-16 not the outlandish amount that Wall's staffers have stated.

The Sask Party knows a primary healthcare clinic is not the same thing as a community clinic. For example, the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region’s 2010-11 annual report indicates a cost of $4 million to operate all of the primary healthcare clinics in that region.

That investment in the health of Saskatchewan families is practical and worthwhile.

UPDATE:
CBC TV News is reporting that Sask Party Health Minister Don McMorris has just now acknowledged that the $900 Million figure his party has been using is "grossly in error!" .... ya think?!

POSTSCRIPT:
- Are there NO grownups in the Sask Party campaign who can supervisor the cohort of Sask Party ministerial assistants who are churning out this false schlock?

Brad Wall VERSUS Reality #1

A new feature on this blog is going to contrast the expressed views, opinions and polices of Brad Wall and his Saskatchewan Party with REALITY!

Is A Second Bridge For The City Of Prince Albert: (a) 'Reckless' or (b) 'Inevitable?

PRINCE ALBERT -- Yesterday and today, the Sask Party labelled the NDP’s plan to build a second bridge across the North Saskatchewan River “reckless spending” and an “unaffordable promise.”

But last month, cabinet minister Darrell Hickie called the construction of such a bridge “inevitable.” PA Sask Party MLA, Darrell Hickie appears to be at odds with his Party,

So, would the Sask Party build it or not?

An NDP government is committed to building a second bridge across the North Saskatchewan River to better connect Prince Albert to the province’s north, which local people and businesses have said they need.

NDP Health Platform Includes Physician Recruitment, Primary Healthcare Clinics

SASKATOON -- New primary healthcare clinics, significant investments in doctor recruitment and Community Access Hospitals for rural areas are part of the NDP’s ambitious and innovative plan for health care, the party revealed today as a part of its election platform.

“An NDP government will build a healthier Saskatchewan,” said Dwain Lingenfelter, NDP Leader. “Too often, the care people need just isn’t available. Wait times are excessive and services aren’t accessible enough. An NDP government will put solutions for health care into action.”

Lingenfelter, joined by other NDP candidates, said the NDP’s platform will benefit Saskatchewan families by focusing on three goals: accessibility, quality, and innovation.

“Electing the NDP means more doctors, more primary healthcare clinics, and an innovative use of facilities already in place under the Community Access Hospitals model,” he said.

The NDP health platform includes:

-$20 million investment in physician recruitment, targeting communities with vacancies
-Community Access Hospitals model, where Nurse Practitioners and emergency medical staff operate rural hospitals to keep their doors open
-100 new primary healthcare clinics over 10 years, with 30 clinics in the first term of government
-$6 million additional funding to strengthen emergency room staffing and equipment
-Funding for surgical and diagnostic care centres in smaller Saskatchewan cities
-The Saskatchewan Physicians Corps – a pool of physicians ready to aid Community -Access Hospitals and be deployed as locum physicians in centres needing support
-$2.5 million per year for midwifery services throughout the province’s health regions
-$2.5 million per year to increase speech and occupational therapists
-25 per cent increase in funding support for childhood disabilities programming and equipment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other conditions
-Reinstatement of chiropractic care coverage

“Primary healthcare clinics often make the most sense for patients, and that’s why the NDP will double the number of primary healthcare clinics over the next 10 years,” said Lingenfelter, who added a commitment to add 30 of those clinics in the first four years of an NDP government.

“Saskatchewan’s innovative health care system needs both a fiscally responsible government, and a government who cares about people,” said Lingenfelter. “Our plan responds to the need for rural services, more doctors, and better access to affordable, quality care. That’s positive change for a healthier Saskatchewan.”

Brad Wall's 'Post Seconday Assistance' Promise Helps Rich Families The Most

Brad Wall is being consistent with Right Wing administrations all over Canada and the United States. His policies help the Rich far more than he helps average working families.

"The Saskatchewan Party is pledging $15 million a year in new post-secondary aid, its first major promise of the election campaign.

Two programs are proposed.

One would give students graduating from high school up to $2,000 to use on tuition fees at any post-secondary institution or recognized training course in the province.

It would cost $4.6 million in the first year, the Sask. Party says. The second program piggybacks on the federal Registered Education Savings Plan and would add 10 per cent to what parents are contributing, to a maximum of $250 a year. The Saskatchewan Party says that program will cost around $11 million a year."
CBC Sask

Thankfully, Accidental Deliberations has shed some light on the true nature of Wall's post-secondary promise .... it helps the rich!

Trickle-up politics
Saskatchewan's election campaign is officially underway, and so too is the Sask Party's campaign to transfer wealth upward as quickly as they can get away with. Just look at the numbers behind their supposed help for students:

Two programs are proposed.

One would give students graduating from high school up to $2,000 to use on tuition fees at any post-secondary institution or recognized training course in the province.

It would cost $4.6 million in the first year, the Sask. Party says.

The second program piggybacks on the federal Registered Education Savings Plan and would add 10 per cent to what parents are contributing, to a maximum of $250 a year.

The Saskatchewan Party says that program will cost around $11 million a year.

So a student whose parents can't afford to contribute to an RESP gets a grand total of $2,000 toward his or her education - an amount which would be wiped out by one more year of rising tuition since the Sask Party took power. Meanwhile, a student whose parents can afford to to max out their RESP contribution limits will receive a tidy $7,000 (plus whatever interest the RESP accumulates) - ensuring that those who need help the least get the most. And even the raw cost estimates involve substantially less than half as much funding for the universal benefit as for the one targeted toward wealthier families.

Of course, we shouldn't be surprised that Wall is governing for the benefit of the few. But the question is whether the many will recognize how they're being left behind.
Accidental Deliberations

NDP details investment in future generations through Bright Futures Fund

REGINA – Today the NDP unveiled its plan for the Bright Futures Fund, calling it the best strategic use of our non-renewable resources.

Dwain Lingenfelter, NDP Leader, said a potash royalty review will ensure Saskatchewan’s people get their fair share now and in the long-term through the Bright Futures Fund.

The NDP has already made preliminary plans for an independent expert review that would begin in December, 2011.

“Making sure we get our fair share of our own resources to pay for the services people need like quality healthcare and strong education is the right thing to do,” said Lingenfelter, who added that putting non-renewable resource money aside for future generations just makes sense.
Rather than for day-to-day spending or a rainy day fund, the Bright Futures Fund will be invested for the long term and will be managed by an independent agency.

“This is a responsible approach to financial management. We’re investing for the decades ahead so that our children and our grandchildren will be able to count on their province,” said Lingenfelter.

The NDP will pass the Bright Futures legislation within its first year in office and will invest a minimum of $100 million annually into the fund over the next four years. While detailed design will occur with the development of legislation, the following principles will apply:

• The principle of the fund can’t be accessed for at least twenty years.
• The fund will follow the principles of Ethical Investments.
• Dividends (not principle) from the fund may be used for capital costs after ten years.
• Dividends may not be used for operating shortfalls.

The NDP expects the fund to generate annual returns of $400 million, based on a four per cent return rate and an annual investment of $100 million. By 2052, the fund is expected to grow to nearly $10 billion.

-CBC Saskatchewan has more ...

Saskatchewan Votes On November 7, 2011

Well the provincial election has been called and the New Democrats are off and running!

Saskatchewan New Democrats