Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Saskatchewan 20e 5e Discours sur le budget 26 Mars 1986 John Gary Lane Ministre des Finances Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan I rise this evening, Mr. Speaker, to present the fifth budget of this Progressive Conservative administration. This government is proud of our accomplishments during the last four years, and later this evening I will be outlining several new, exciting initiatives which will build on these accomplishments: initiatives which will create jobs by stimulating economic opportunity, and initiatives which will increase security by strengthening our traditional institutions. This dual emphasis on protecting social well-being and encouraging economic opportunity and job creation has provided a consistent focus for our government. And this budget maintains that focus. In April of 1982, the Progressive Conservative Party, under the leadership of Grant Devine, was swept into office to correct a host of serious problems which were facing the province. Inflation and interest rates were at record levels. High interest rates were placing a heavy burden on farmers and small business, and people were losing their homes. In the previous administration, programs were ineffective. Young farmers were unable to own the land they worked, and family farms could not be passed on from one generation to the next. The health of many of our rural communities was threatened. Business was unwilling to invest in the province because… There was widespread waste in government and the financial position of the province was seriously misrepresented. When the books were opened we discovered that the bottom line had been overstated by more than $250 million. But more importantly, the Heritage Fund was used for unproductive investments, and no moneys had been set aside for tougher times. And today, we are still paying for that lack of foresight. How did we address these serious problems, problems which threatened to destroy the very fabric of our society, problems caused in large measures by a government that had lost touch with the values of the people of Saskatchewan? We introduced mortgage interest reduction plan to protect ordinary people from losing their homes. We removed the provincial sales tax on children's clothing and power bills to ease the pressures of inflation on families. We removed the provincial sales tax on gasoline the day we were sworn in - a saving to the average Saskatchewan family of over $1,000 over the last four years - the single largest tax reduction in the history of Saskatchewan. We replaced the land bank with the Saskatchewan farm purchase program to allow young farmers to purchase and own the land they work, and almost 5,000 farmers have participated in this program. We announced that we were open for business to encourage business to invest and create jobs here in Saskatchewan. The Premier and other members of this government have worked diligently to encourage investment and job creation in the province. We created the Department of Tourism and Small Business to deal with the special needs of small business, and we abolished more than 1,300 outdated or frustrating laws and regulations. We restructured the Crown corporations and forced them to adopt more business-like management. Well-respected business leaders were appointed chairmen of the boards of directors, and the results have paid off. SGI had 3 per cent rate increase in 1983, no increase in 1984, and a rate reduction in 1985. The 6 cent a gallon surcharge imposed by the previous administration has been removed. SGI has been able to provide rebates to good drivers. Sask Tel rate increases have averaged less than 3 per cent since 1982. There were no rate increases in 1984 and in 1985 and there will be no rate increase in 1986. The Premier has announced that individual line service will soon be a reality to all the residents of rural Saskatchewan, and because of good management this will not require a general rate increase. We dealt with the serious underfunding problems in health and education. We will have increased health spending by almost $500 million or 70 per cent since we assumed office. And we will have increased elementary and secondary school budgets by $156 million or almost 52 per cent. Over the last four years, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan had the highest rate of increase in funding for post-secondary education in Canada. last year our Partnership for Progress announced five-year funding commitments of an additional $400 million for education and an additional $300 million for health. We improved management in government. Management pay increases are now based on performance. And with the help of all government employees we have achieved savings of more than $300 million through more efficient management. And we have reduced the civil service by over 1,000 positions. Because of good management, employment rose by 3 per cent in 1985. In the past year - February to February17,000 new jobs were created, of which the vast majority were full-time. Saskatchewan had the lowest annual average unemployment rate of any province in Canada in 1982, again in 1983, again in 1984, and the second lowest in 1985. Mr. Speaker, no province has done better. Inflation averaged 3.6 during 1985, the lowest rate in many years. And the province enjoyed a real growth rate of 4.3 per cent in 1985. This impressive performance, Mr. Speaker, was achieved in spite of low commodity prices, drought, flooding, grasshoppers, and early snow. But there was a cost. The budget for 1985 anticipated a deficit of $291 million. Depressed international prices for potash and lower than anticipated tax receipts will result in reduced revenues. However, these decreases will be partially offset by better than anticipated oil revenues. Expenditures, on the other hand, will increase because of additional spending required to assist farmers. In order to keep the deficit as low as possible, our government sharply curtailed discretionary expenditures during the last quarter of 1985. Controls were implemented to prevent the traditional pattern of increased spending at year end, and through such measures the government was able to save an additional $25 million. The combination of revenue decreases and our additional assistance to farmers will result in a 1985 deficit of 595 million. The alternative to a deficit budget was to severely reduce essential services to the public and refuse to provide emergency aid for farmers. This alternative was clearly not acceptable and this alternative would have resulted in severe hardship for those residents of our province least able to protect themselves. Mr. Speaker, we were not prepared to fight the deficit on the back of seniors, farmers, and the small-business men of Saskatchewan. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan has always had a fluctuating economy. The rise and fall of resource prices and the rise and fall of prices for our agricultural commodities lead to similar increases and decreases in government revenues. Saskatchewan has always had these ups and downs. But a responsible government puts money aside during the good times so that there are funds available in the tougher times. But rather than put money aside, the previous government chose to invest in the family of Crown corporations. If the previous government had of put that money in the bank, the investment today would be worth about $2,300 million. That's more than the accumulated deficit. If the previous administration had simply taken out guaranteed income certificates from, say, the Sherwood Credit Union or the Saskatoon Credit Union, 1981, five-year GIC, the moneys today would be worth over $2,500 million - again much more than the accumulated deficit and would have left the province with a substantial surplus. If they had even put the moneys in investments similar to those that the ordinary Canadians could put into the Toronto Stock Exchange and got the same rate of return, the average on the Toronto Stock Exchange, they would have had funds today of over $2,650 billion, more than enough money, Mr. Speaker, so the province would not have a deficit today - and in fact the province would have had a substantial surplus. I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that even those of the opposition who believe in full government ownership of our resources will have to admit that money should have been set aside for at least two or three difficult years. But that was not what happened, Mr. Speaker. In 1982 we said, there is so much more we can be. Today Saskatchewan is a world leader in our most important industry, agriculture. We are a world renowned production of hard red spring wheat and this province is generally recognized as a pioneer in the research and development of canola as a marketable crop. Saskatchewan was instrumental in obtaining the registration of HY320, a new variety of high-yield wheat that has potential to increase sales abroad. The province's purebred cattle are on a par with anything the world has to offer, and are now being sold in the world markets. Aided by a new processing plant in La Ronge, Saskatchewan has led all provinces in wild rice production over the last few years. The province has taken a lead in developing a national agricultural strategy. Through the efforts of the Premier, agriculture has been placed on the national political agenda for the first time. Saskatchewan is a leader, both nationally and internationally, in the development and application of advanced technology. Sales are now $400 million annually compared to only $80 million in 1982, and Saskatchewan expertise is helping install fibre optics in other provinces, the United States, and the Caribbean. Saskatchewan engineers are now actively promoting rural electrification in India and Saskatchewan farmers are advising the Chinese on dry-land farming operations. Saskatchewan is now known around the world as a source of technical expertise. Saskatchewan companies are selling data switching technology to the U.S. space program and to the United States senate itself; satellite communication technology to Brazil; computer health care systems to the United States and to the Middle East; justice information systems to the Los Angeles police department; workers' compensations systems to North Dakota; and telephone equipment to China. Superior farm implements have been developed in Saskatchewan and are now being manufactured here. They are sold to the United States, Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and many other countries. The trade offices which we have established around the world are assisting Saskatchewan companies to expand into new markets. I'm pleased to announce that this budget contains funding for a new trade office in Minneapolis, and we are studying the feasibility of a Saskatchewan trade office in the city of New York. Saskatchewan people have risen to positions of prominence in all fields of endeavour, including business, entertainment, the arts, and sports. And this government has recognized their accomplishments through the Saskatchewan Award of Merit. Their success is a confirmation to everyone in Saskatchewan, that just as individuals have had great success, so can our province. But Saskatchewan must sell its story, its products, and its people to the world. This government and the people of the province have taken the first steps to put Saskatchewan on the world stage. We must look beyond our borders because it means opportunities and jobs here in Saskatchewan. Economic growth is responsible for our quality of life. The jobs and prosperity generated from economic activity support the social institutions necessary for a progressive and a caring society. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the world economy was healthy, so governments devoted their energies to the distribution of unprecedented levels of income. But times have changed. The economic downturn in the early 1980s meant that the growth in government revenues has declined. This fundamental change in the economic environment has increased the need for governments to have solid plans for economic development and job creation if they are to preserve the social institutions and programs which provide security for families and for individuals. In developing such a plan for Saskatchewan, we had to be realistic. The plan had to be able to deal with the peaks and valleys of world and national economies. The plan had to prepare Saskatchewan to stand on its own, ready to face the world. And the plan that we have employed so successfully has three components. Firstly, the creation of a positive climate for economic development. Secondly, those sectors of the economy where we have natural strengths must be developed. And thirdly, the encouragement of public participation. It's a common-sense plan, a plan that we have followed consistently and a plan that provided the framework for the economic development initiatives that I will announce later this evening, and I would like to review the progress we have made in implementing this plan. Creating a positive climate for economic development meant that the image of Saskatchewan had to be changed. We gave a clear message that the government was again willing to work with business after many years of anti-business rhetoric. The open-for-business theme was a visible demonstration of our commitment to encourage Saskatchewan companies to expand into the national and international market-place, to provide services to business to help them to succeed, to maintain the competitiveness of our agricultural energy in small-business actors, and to improve the investment climate. Business is like everyone else, it doesn't go where it's not wanted, and open for business is clearly working. In a difficult time for agriculture, a total of 17,000 new jobs were created last year, proof of the increasing diversification of our province. This government has played a major role in developing new foreign markets by providing financial assistance, market research, and export counseling to Saskatchewan companies. Since 1982 the Aid To Trade program has resulted in the creation of almost 400 new jobs in the province, and several trade offices have been established, including those in Hong Kong and Vienna. And our pavilion at Expo '86 will show-case Saskatchewan to the entire world. Mr. Speaker, this government is not afraid to look out towards the world. Scientific and technical programs have been put in place to foster co-operation between industry, the universities, and government. The Advanced Technology Training Centre in Saskatoon was created to respond to the need for skilled manpower in the high technology sector. Between 1982 and 1985 the number of advanced technology firms has increased from under 40 firms to almost 140 firms, employing nearly 2,900 people. Interest rates on loans to small business were reduced to nine and five-eighths per cent to make the climate for small business more secure. Over 5,200 businesses are participating in this program, introduced only last May. The program has helped maintain nearly 23,000 existing jobs. Changes to the oil royalty tax structure resurrected a dying industry and quickly created over 4,900 person-years of employment. Various initiatives to foster gas drilling, including a natural gas self-sufficiency program, spurred record levels of activity. A tax holiday was provided to Saskatchewan small business engaged in manufacturing and processing. In addition, a sales tax on research and development prototypes was eliminated. The investment climate had to be changed as well to encourage Saskatchewan savings to remain in the province and to create jobs for Saskatchewan people. Opportunities to invest in Crown corporations, the venture capital program, and livestock investment tax credit provide major opportunities for the people of Saskatchewan to invest in their own province. And these programs are providing a strong signal that the investment climate has changed in Saskatchewan. We recognized as well that it is important to build on our natural strengths. Agriculture has been and will continue to be the mainstay of the provincial economy. In order to build on our strength in agriculture, we've provided incentives to encourage hog production. If the hog producers of the province are prepared to take up the challenge before them, the expansion of Intercontinental Packers and Gainers has the potential to create up to 4,000 additional jobs. A five-year, $200 million agricultural development fund was introduced last year to finance major programs in research and productivity improvement, a major commitment to the future of agriculture in this province. Government loan guarantees have meant that the construction of the NewGrade upgrader will proceed as planned, and this project will result in 2,800 construction jobs and will allow Saskatchewan oil to be refined here in Saskatchewan. We remain, Mr. Speaker, fully committed to the minister upgrader. Our government believes that this project is vital to the future of Saskatchewan. We cannot be short-sighted. We will continue to work vigorously to ensure that that project proceeds. And we are building on the other resource strengths of Saskatchewan. The Rafferty and Alameda dams and the Shand power project will provide electric power, a recreational lake, and water for irrigation. These projects will create 7,000 person-years of construction employment and 280 permanent jobs. International co-operation has resulted in a significant financial contribution to this project by the people of the United States. This government is also actively pursuing major developments in further processing of our natural gas resources. And yesterday. this government announced an exciting new initiative in the further processing of our forestry resources in Saskatchewan. The sale of money-losing P.A. Pulp Company and the commitment to a new paper mill will result in 215 permanent new jobs in northern Saskatchewan, 500 construction jobs, and new opportunities for Saskatchewan young people. In order to prepare our young people for the opportunities that economic development will create, we instituted a major expansion of our technical training service. The number of training spaces available to our young people has been increased by more than 45 per cent since 1982. In addition, funding for approximately 5,500 new placements was added to our community college system. Long-term funding commitments were made to our elementary and secondary system and to our universities. Four hundred additional million dollars will be spent from 1985 to 1990 to ensure that our young people are prepared for the 1990s. Traditionally, the investment benefits of Saskatchewan savings have not remained in the province; instead, they've been siphoned off to New York and Toronto by the banks and trust companies. Even our own Saskatchewan pension plans were not investing in the province. A major challenge for our government was to devise ways and new vehicles to encourage the investment of Saskatchewan savings here in Saskatchewan. The programs that were developed have been greeted with enthusiasm. For example, the venture capital program was created to allow individuals to invest in the province's manufacturing, processing, tourism, and research and development industries. And to date more than 50 firms have taken advantage of this program. And this has resulted in $32 million of additional investment by Saskatchewan people. The livestock investment tax credit was developed to provide both farm and non-farm investors with the opportunity to invest in finishing livestock. And to date almost 5,000 individuals have made use of this program. The previous administration prevented the people of Saskatchewan from investing in their own Crown corporations. And I am pleased that nearly 30,000 Saskatchewan people have participated in the economic development of this province through the purchase of Sask Power and Saskoil securities. Together these opportunities have raised $275 mill ion for Saskatchewan Crown corporations. And by the end of June of 1986 our Crown corporations will have made almost $25 million in interest payments to Saskatchewan people. That's money, Mr. Speaker, going to Main Street, Saskatchewan - not Bay Street, Toronto, and not Wall Street, New York. This government welcomes the increasing participation of women in the business community in Saskatchewan. In 1985, Saskatchewan held two women-in-business conferences which were attended by over 500 women. Our government is confident that this province will soon see its first women's venture capital corporation, and this government is looking to women for business leadership in Saskatchewan. The community economic development program provides assistance to communities to encourage new economic development opportunities. It is an example of yet another kind of participation that we have encouraged: local people participating in planning their own economic futures. And to date some 53 communities have participated in this program. In the past, native peoples have not been given the opportunity to fully participate in the province's economic development. Opportunities are now provided through the Indian economic development fund, and over 80 initiatives are either ongoing or on the drawing-boards. And I am pleased that this budget increases that fund by an additional $1 million for 1986. This government has recently settled land claims with the Fond-du-lac Indian Band and approved a settlement with the lucky Man Band. These settlements will provide the opportunity for these two bands to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan embarked on a new direction for economic policy in 1982, a policy that is clearly delivering results. Between 1982 and 1985, the number of small businesses in Saskatchewan increased by nearly 4,000 businesses. As I said, nearly a total of 17,000 new jobs created last year, and since 1981 the labour force has increased from 446,000 to nearly 500,000. Later this evening I will be outlining several new initiatives which are consistent with our plan to create economic opportunities and jobs for the people of Saskatchewan. It's nice to be able to drink the Regina water, thanks to the leadership of this government, Mr. Speaker. This government is committed to encouraging opportunity and protecting people. I have just outlined the economic development plan that we have been following since we took office - a plan that is working in spite of difficult economic conditions, a plan that is creating opportunities and jobs for the people of this province. This government also recognizes that it must provide our citizens with protection against sickness, natural disasters, unemployment, and hardship, and that it must protect and enhance our quality of life. And I would like to describe some of those security initiatives. This government has repeatedly demonstrated its resolve to protect the family farm. The Farm land Security Act provides relief for farmers facing foreclosure actions. The 1985 crop drought assistance program made $68 million in drought assistance available to 13,000 farmers, and this is in addition to the $374 million already provided under the regular crop insurance program. The livestock drought assistance gave 16,000 farmers $29 million in 1984, and $30 million to 13,000 in 1985. The production loan program has provided more than $920 million at 6 per cent interest to more than 46,000 Saskatchewan farmers, and this is a first in Canada. The oil royalty refund program will return over $42 million to Saskatchewan farmers in 1986. This government has not and will not turn its back on the family farm, Mr. Speaker. Funding for the Department of Agriculture will more than double in 1986 - an increase of over $118 million, the largest increase in expenditures on agriculture in the history of the province of 5askatchewan, Mr. Speaker. And this government has been strong in its resolve to protect and enhance the quality of rural life in rural Saskatchewan. We believe that one of the best ways to encourage people to remain in rural Saskatchewan is to provide them with the same amenities that urban residents enjoy. Sask Power's natural gas distribution and rural underground distribution programs, and SaskTel's rural individual line service are examples of this government's commitment. But we've also recognized the need to provide rural residents with a broader choice of television service, and regulations were changed to allow municipalities to own and operate local cable TV and rebroadcasting systems. White City and Regina Beach have already been licensed under this initiative, and over 40 other Saskatchewan communities have expressed serious interest. And other provinces are now following Saskatchewan's lead. In addition to enhancing the quality of rural life, these initiatives will create more than 1,000 jobs in 1986. They've also resulted in a new manufacturing plant for Phillips Cable in Moose Jaw; an expansion of Canada Wire and Cable in Weyburn; and an increase in the number of employees at Northern Telecom in Regina. Mr. Speaker, this government believes that no institution, however, is more important than the family. And we are committed to protecting our families from economic hardship. Our government is proud to have put in place a program which protects single parent families. Through an automated system to enforce the payment of maintenance orders, we're ensuring that single parents will collect the maintenance that is their rightful due. And the government has taken initiatives to prevent family violence, including the prosecution of wife batterers. This government also recognizes that it must improve the quality, availability, and affordability of child care in the province. And this budget provides more than $13 million for day care in the province, an increase of over 9 per cent, Mr. Speaker. And this budget includes, for the first time in Saskatchewan, provision for direct operating grants to day care centres. The hard work and determination of our senior citizens built this province, and this government will not see them in need. In our budget two years ago, we increased the monthly senior citizen supplement by $25 for singles and $30 for couples. And this year the senior citizens' heritage program will put almost $40 million into the hands of our senior citizens, helping them to lead independent lives. We are continuing to provide funding for the five-year $25 million senior citizens' home repair program. And I am pleased to announce that this budget will increase the seniors' non-profit housing program by some $4.5 million. Our government ended the moratorium on nursing home construction imposed by the previous government. We have also contributed towards the construction of over 2,000 senior citizens' housing units during the past four years. For 1986 an additional 540 senior citizen housing units will be supported by this government. Our government's determination to protect families and individuals from economic hardship has been demonstrated again and again. We protected families from the high cost of living. We protected 44,000 Saskatchewan families from high mortgage interest rates. We eliminated the provincial sales tax on gasoline, saving the average Saskatchewan family more than $1,000 over the past four years. We eliminated the sales tax on children's clothing and footwear. We undertook those initiatives because we recognize that the costs of raising families are increasing. And this government also recognizes that middle-income families are coming under increasing economic pressure. And I'm pleased that our government has decided to expand on these initiatives to help families. Effective midnight tonight, all clothing, footwear and yard goods valued at less than $300 will be exempted from the sales tax. And this measure will provide an additional $23 million in tax savings to Saskatchewan residents in 1986 alone. We're proud, Mr. Speaker, that virtually all essential goods are now sales tax free in the province of Saskatchewan. Less than half of all Canadians are covered by a private pension plan. Today many Saskatchewan people do not have the opportunity to save for a secure and worry-free retirement. Low- and middle-income earners who are self-employed, or who work for small businesses are particularly under-represented in private pension plans. Part-time workers and home-makers also have less opportunity to put money aside for their retirement than other members of society. And this government is committed to ending these inequities in Saskatchewan. We are making a major commitment to improving the opportunity for Saskatchewan people to save for their retirement. As announced in the throne speech, this government will be introducing the Saskatchewan pension plan. This voluntary plan, which is not designed to compete with private pension plans, will help small business to establish pension plans for their part-time and full-time employees; to assist self-employed people to establish saving plans for their retirement. Our government has demonstrated its commitment to the Saskatchewan family. However, Saskatchewan home-makers who have chosen to raise families, or who interrupt their work to have children, intending to return to the workplace, have very few opportunities to save for their retirement. And this government is committed to removing this unfairness. This government is committed to protecting home-makers who are the heart and soul of our families, and this government will be including home-makers in the Saskatchewan pension plan. We are moving forward to provide a safe and secure future for Saskatchewan home-makers and we will be encouraging the federal government and other provinces to follow our lead and develop a national home-makers' pension plan based on the Saskatchewan model. Five million dollars has been budgeted for 1986 to start the Saskatchewan pension plan. Mr. Speaker, this administration is proud of its achievements in providing quality health care to the people of Saskatchewan. We have been committed and are committed to protecting and enhancing the health care system. We forecast an average health expenditure in 1986 of $1,200 for every man, woman, and child in this province. In total, the health care budget of $1.2 billion amounts to nearly one-third of the total provincial budget. In 1976 the previous government placed a moratorium on the construction of nursing home beds. We launched a five-year $25 million program to build 1,000 new nursing home beds and to replace another 600 that had fallen into disrepair. I'm proud to say tonight that we are extending this program to an additional sixth year, Mr. Speaker. In 1985, Partnership for Progress announced a five-year commitment of $300 million towards new health care facilities. This year's expenditure for health care facility construction will exceed $75 million, the largest amount in the history of the province of Saskatchewan. Mr. Speaker, that is more than double the best year by any other government in the history of Saskatchewan. Provision has been made for almost $70 million to be spent on hospitals, including those in Saskatoon and Regina, and the new cancer clinic in Saskatoon. Special care facilities will be allocated over $5 million. The Minister of Health and this government have expressed their concern about the length of waiting list for elective surgery. This problem is most severe in Saskatoon in large part because of the demand for Saskatoon services by other Saskatchewan residents. In order to address this problem, we will be establishing a second day surgery unit at Saskatoon City Hospital, and expanding in-patient surgical capacity at St. Paul's and University Hospitals in the city of Saskatoon. We recognize that quality health care is more than just buildings and beds. In 1976, the former government reduced hospital staffing by over 300 positions. This administration has added over 700 positions in the last four years. The Minister of Health has recently announced the creation of a five-year $100 million patient care fund. The fund will provide new equipment, increased patient care, and reduce waiting lists. Nearly 700 new health care positions will be provided to hospitals and nursing homes in 1986. The first stage of that program, approximately 300 of these new positions will be nursing positions. This government has increased the number of health care positions every year since 1982, Mr. Speaker. In total, expenditures for the health care system will increase by $126 million during 1986, the largest single-year increase in health care expenditures in the history of the province of Saskatchewan. I'm not sure I need to remind hon. members that Regina and Moose Jaw waited 11 years for good water. Mr. Speaker, this problem was solved by this government in three years, Mr. Speaker, and I hope that the hon. members enjoy it because it may be their last time in Regina. This government has recognized the importance of protecting our primary and secondary education systems, and for this reason we have increased funding by almost 52 per cent or $156 million since 1982. For 1986, funding for elementary and secondary education will have increased by approximately $41 million or 10.2 per cent, and this includes a 5 per cent increase to the operating grant which will maintain the province's share of education costs. In addition, 45 new capital projects will be funded, including five new community schools - public schools for Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon, and new public and separate schools for Regina. Total 1986 expenditures from the five-year education development fund will be $60 million, an increase of $25 million. These funds will be available to school divisions for such initiatives as computer equipment, libraries, and other program improvement. In last year's budget, Partnership for Progress also established a five-year $125 million renewal and development fund to provide the universities with a stable and predictable base level of capital funding. This has now made Saskatchewan universities the envy of others throughout Canada. The fund is also used to enhance research capabilities and repair or replace collapsing buildings. The 1986 portion of this fund will be $18 miIlion, another example of this government keeping its promises. And I am pleased to announce tonight that the operating grants to the universities will increase by 3.2 per cent to almost 144 millions of dollars. The Minister of Advanced Education and Manpower will be announcing the details of changes to our student assistance program, changes which will remove unfair restrictions, increase loan limits, and reduce the interest rate on student loans to 6 per cent. In addition to providing opportunities for our young people to participate in economic growth, the linking of skills training to the market-place creates a positive climate for business by providing a highly skilled and motivated work-force. In 1982 over 50 per cent of the applicants to the technical institutes were turned away because there were not enough training spaces. We embarked on a four-year program at a cost of $52 million to rectify this situation. This year's budget also provides $9 million for the Northern Institute of Technology in Prince Albert to provide over 700 training spaces for our young people. This government is optimistic about the future of our province and our optimism is exemplified by our commitment to the educational systems of this province; education to equip our young people to participate in our economic prosperity. This government also recognizes that municipalities depend to a large extent on the provincial government for financial support. It would have been easy for the government to pass on the economic burdens to the municipalities as previous governments and other provinces have done. We have chosen not to follow that course. In 1986 we will be providing more than $70 million to urban municipalities in unconditional operating grants, and over $17 million in unconditional capital grants. Rural municipalities will receive more than $48 million in operating and capital grants. Mr. Speaker, our economic development plan is encouraging economic opportunity in order to create permanent and productive jobs. In a few moments I will be describing some exciting new initiatives, initiatives which will encourage further economic opportunity and job creation. Initiatives which are part of our plan to create the climate, build on our strengths, and encourage public participation. Mr. Speaker, this government is committed, as I've said, to protecting the family farm, and more than 46,000 grain farmers have benefited from the production loan program. I suggest that if the previous government had given interest rate protection to farmers when interest rates were greater than 20 per cent, most farmers would not be in difficulty today, Mr. Speaker. And only this government is determined to create opportunities that will ensure the future prosperity of our agricultural industry. The oil royalty refund program will return over $42 million to Saskatchewan farmers this year. The five-year agricultural development fund is supporting initiatives in irrigation, research and development, and marketing research, and this government will provide $25 million to the agricultural development fund this year. The Premier has recently announced that we will be building the long needed college of agriculture building in Saskatoon at a cost of $78 million. The new building will ensure that the college maintains its place as a world leader in agricultural research and education and will provide our agricultural industry with the new opportunities to retain its competitive edge in the international market-place. The livestock investment tax credit program announced in 1984 is an innovative way to invest Saskatchewan savings in Saskatchewan, and it will be extended an additional three years, Mr. Speaker. Hog production must be increased by 200,000 per year in each of the next five years in order to realize the full potential of the opportunities in this industry. And this government has developed a comprehensive program to provide working capital, encourage construction of new or expanded facilities, and to attract equity investment. First, the Premier announced the cash advance program to provide working capital. Secondly, the eligibility criteria for the agricultural credit corporation loans were expanded and the interest rate fixed at 8 per cent. Thirdly, tonight this government is announcing a livestock facilities tax equal to 15 per cent of the capital cost of eligible livestock facilities. The tax credit will apply to the construction of all new facilities or the major expansion of existing facilities begun after January 1, 1986, where the principal use is raising livestock. Mr. Speaker, the rest is up to the hog producers of the province of Saskatchewan. We all know that agriculture is facing difficult times, and we have acted forcefully to protect the family farm. We recognized, however, that we had to act today to lay the foundations for prosperity tomorrow. And our initiatives to encourage economic opportunity by building on our strength in agriculture will achieve that goal. In recent years the small-business sector has been responsible for the creation of the majority of new jobs in Saskatchewan. Small business must be given the opportunity to further expand and to create more new jobs. In order to improve the climate for the formation of new small businesses, this government will introduce a two-year corporate tax holiday for new small businesses incorporated after midnight tonight. The holiday applies to most new small businesses, but there are some minor exceptions, for example, professional corporations. This will improve the financial stability and cash-flow positions of new business ventures. It's a major signal, Mr. Speaker, that we are counting on small business to create the opportunities and to create the jobs. When we created a favourable tax climate in the oil industry, it flourished. And this government is confident that the same thing will happen in the small-business sector. A stable interest rate climate is essential to encouraging the expansion of existing small businesses. I am pleased to announce that effective midnight tonight, we'll be making a major improvement to our small-business interest reduction program. The interest rate will be reduced to 8 per cent and the maximum loan limit increased to $100,000. The program will be expanded to include implement and automobile dealers. In addition, the small-business corporate tax holiday on manufacturing and processing income will be continued. Saskatchewan business people have been telling us of their concerns about the unfair burden imposed by the business tax, of which one-third of the provincial total is collected by the city of Regina. Our success with the oil industry should provide a useful example to communities. When we lowered taxes, the industry grew, jobs were created, and our revenues increased. If communities were to lower their taxes for business, their tax base would expand and residential taxes would be reduced. I'm pleased to note that the town of Lafleche is the first that has removed the business tax and other communities are aggressively studying the issue. Mr. Speaker, I am announcing tonight the creation of a stock savings plan to encourage equity investment by Saskatchewan people. The plan is part of our continuing emphasis to encourage public participation in the Saskatchewan economy. The plan will improve the availability of capital to Saskatchewan businesses and will be used by Saskatchewan public companies to finance future expansions. The industrial incentive program provided one-time payments of $7,500 for each new permanent job created by manufacturing and processing firms. This program has encouraged more than 300 companies to expand and create more than $3,500 new permanent jobs. And the industrial incentive program will be extended. The venture capital corporation program was introduced in 1984 to encourage investment in small business and I am pleased to announce the further expansion of this program to include agricultural firms. In addition, the provision which limited certain types of investment to communities of 5,000 or less, has been revised upwards to communities of 20,000 or less. Mr. Speaker, we can now expect to see new venture capital corporations in Weyburn and Melfort, Yorkton, North Battleford and Humboldt, and many other communities in Saskatchewan. This government has announced its commitment to involving organized labour in the creation and maintenance of jobs through new labour venture capital corporations. These corporations will give organized labour the opportunity to create jobs in Saskatchewan by channeling their investments in small and medium-sized businesses. The individual union member will receive a provincial tax credit equal to 20 per cent of the cost of the investment. When combined with the matching federal tax credit, a 40 per cent tax benefit will be available. If organized labour takes up the challenge, there is the potential to create 1,000 new jobs in the province of Saskatchewan, and union members and their families will have a real opportunity to both create jobs in Saskatchewan and to save taxes. This government will also introduce a Saskatchewan agricultural and commercial equity corporation to provide Saskatchewan residents with a unique opportunity to make diversified investments in their province. The corporation will make investments in various sectors of the Saskatchewan economy and will be able to participate on a joint venture basis in major capital projects. The corporation will provide a major stimulus to economic development. It will establish a highly visible centre of corporate management expertise in Saskatchewan, and significantly enhance Saskatchewan's image in the Canadian business sector, as the Alberta energy corporation did for the province of Alberta. We will be providing financial assistance to municipalities to establish community development corporations, implementing a major recommendation of the rural development task force. And the Minister of Tourism and Small Business will be announcing the details of an entrepreneur training program. This program will provide individuals with the necessary skills to create and start their own small businesses. We are providing every opportunity for people in Saskatchewan to own and operate their small business. And, Mr. Speaker, there will never be a better time for Saskatchewan people to own their own small businesses. The long-term benefits of these programs will be substantial. In keeping with our promise, 60,000 more people will be working this summer than when we took office. This administration believes that banks and the large corporations should do their part in establishing and promoting small business in Saskatchewan. Two new taxes, applying only to large corporations and banks, will finance the new small-business initiatives. Our plan for economic development is working. In the past year alone we created 17,000 new jobs under difficult economic conditions. We also recognized that temporary employment, on-the-job training programs, and government capital spending are a necessary component of our efforts to provide economic opportunities. Need I say more? It is for this reason that Partnership for Progress introduced a five-year $600 million employment development program. We will be providing approximately $125 million through the fund for job creation and training programs in 1986. This activity, when combined with our capital spending, will create in excess of 20,000 jobs in Saskatchewan next year. Direct employment and job training programs will be available to all employers to alleviate seasonal fluctuations and unemployment for the general labour force and for students through short-term subsidy programs, and to reduce high unemployment rates for disadvantaged workers through targeted employment subsidies and training. Mr. Speaker, when we came to office we found a welfare system that encouraged 16- and 17 -year-olds to leave home, to leave school, to collect welfare; a system that encouraged abuse but gave no hope. And these are the reasons why we instituted our program of welfare reform. Although the purpose of this program was to restore to welfare recipients those basic Saskatchewan values of hard work and individual initiative, it has met with a good deal of opposition. But this government persevered. Saskatchewan was the first province to provide welfare recipients with meaningful training and employment opportunities. Other provinces are now following our lead. In 1985, 1,700 jobs were created for former welfare recipients, and 2,000 assistance clients were registered in training. And largely as a result of these programs, I'm happy to report that last year's social assistance costs were $24 million less than they would have been under the previous government's administration. We have not been satisfied with the improvements, Mr. Speaker. We are convinced that more can be done, and this government will stay the course on welfare reform. During 1986 we will establish a comprehensive employment opportunity strategy for employable social assistance recipients. This new program will ensure that welfare recipients do not merely receive a cheque from government but also have the opportunities to learn job skills, job responsibilities, and perform public service. Those with special needs, such as single parents and youth, will be given the opportunity to participate in programs to improve their employment prospects. This government wants to give welfare clients more than a subsistence living. We want to give them hope and a determination to succeed on their own. We want to break the welfare cycle, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes that the housing industry is a major creator of employment in the province. I'm announcing tonight an additional housing initiative, a first-time, new home buyers program. First-time home buyers purchasing a new home between now and the end of 1986 will be eligible for a $3,000 grant. The grant is effective immediately and applies to the current inventory of unsold new homes. This program will make housing more affordable for those families interested in purchasing their first new home. At the same time it will create opportunities in the housing industry by stimulating an additional 7,000 new starts and creating almost 1,800 new jobs, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not a realistic proposal that is seven years too late. Mr. Speaker, the creation of economic opportunities in the resource sector has been challenging for this government - challenging because of the legacy of the previous administration, a legacy of government intervention and the complete alienation of the private sector . Our actions were straightforward. We created a new climate. We worked with the industry and private investors, not against them. In four short years we've achieved remarkable successes - successes which have helped diversify our economy, successes which cushion the effects of the drought on many communities in Saskatchewan. In 1982 the oil industry was in a shambles. Oil-servicing companies were receiving government subsidies to pay employees not to work. By the end of 1985 we had created 4,900 person-years of employment and over $1 billion of investment. In 1981,807 wells were drilled; in 1985, 3,848 wells were drilled. We provided the climate, and the industry responded to the challenge. But recently the actions of OPEC have caused a sharp drop in world oil prices. We believe that the price drop is a relatively short-term phenomenon, and that by the end of 1986 prices will have recovered to reasonable levels. The potash industry is also troubled by weak international prices, which reflect world over-supply. The legacy of the previous government in the potash industry is particularly unfortunate. Potash companies whose mines were bought out by the previous government used that cash to build new mines. Excessive taxation in Saskatchewan meant that mines were being built in New Brunswick, and in other countries. In 1981 and 1980 when demand for potash was high and supplies were limited, the pricing policies of the previous government alienated many international customers. Countries don't like to be gouged either. Had the former government remained in power, they would have implemented policies to have Saskatchewan mines fighting against other Saskatchewan mines in offshore markets. This government has implemented sound long-term potash policies which will provide a solid foundation for a thriving industry into the 1990s. We're pursuing a moderate price strategy to keep competitors out of the market-place. Market development and initiatives in offshore countries such as China are beginning to pay dividends. Advertising campaigns promoting Saskatchewan potash are now a daily occurrence in China. And through these initiatives we expect to see strengthening in both prices and volumes in 1986. Natural gas remains a bright spot in the resource sector. The previous government was content to buy natural gas from Alberta at the expense of jobs for Saskatchewan people. Only nine natural gas wells were drilled in 1982. But last year the Premier announced a new Saskatchewan self-sufficiency policy to increase Saskatchewan's natural gas revenues, and to create Saskatchewan jobs. Last year not nine wells were drilled, but 437 wells were drilled in Saskatchewan. In addition, the increased exploration activity has resulted in an increase in our estimate of natural gas reserves. The province is now well on its way to natural gas self-sufficiency, Mr. Speaker. Uranium prices are beginning to strengthen as international inventories are depleted. With Saskatchewan's competitive production position, the future of this industry in the province is encouraging. Through much of the first half of this decade, markets for our forest products have been depressed due to a combination of declining housing starts and weak demand for Canadian kraft pulp and paper products. This government modified existing policies to keep Saskatchewan forest industries viable in anticipation of better international conditions. And conditions are now improving for our forest industry. Increases in the value of foreign currencies against the Canadian dollar, coupled with a recovery in housing starts, will lead to increased forest product demand. Tax incentives and targeted government geological surveys have increased exploratory activity in northern Saskatchewan. In the past four years alone gold exploration has tripled, and we fully expect a new gold mine to be in operation north of La Ronge in 1987. Our initiatives in the natural resource sector have diversified Saskatchewan's economy during the last four years. As we look to the future, we recognize that there will be peaks and valleys in our natural resource industries. In contrast to the previous government, our initiatives will ensure that the people of Saskatchewan receive the maximum economic benefits from the rich natural resource heritage. I would now like to turn to the government's financial management plan for 1986-87. For 1986, forecasts indicate that Saskatchewan will have one of the highest growth rates in the country, and inflation will approximate 1985 levels. Saskatchewan has been the leader in job creation, and that trend will continue. With a good crop in the coming year, we can expect agriculture revenues to increase international economic conditions indicate that oil and potash will strengthen from existing levels, but lower than we anticipated at this time la5t year. Provincial oil revenues are expected to fall by $144 million in 1986 from the 1985 budget estimates. At the same time, potash revenues will decline by $21 million and these decreases are a direct result of low world prices. Saskatchewan residents enjoy one of the lowest tax burdens in the country, so it would have been easy to make up those revenue shortfalls by tax increases, but we chose not to follow that course. The government does intend to see that those corporations and individuals who have the ability to pay are required to pay. For the reasons I outlined earlier, we believe that it is only fair that the large corporations and banks should help establish and promote small business in the province. Our small-business initiatives will be financed by two tax increases affecting only our largest corporations. Effective January 1, 1986 the general corporate capital tax rate will increase from 0.3 per cent to 0.5 per cent, and for banks the rate will increase from 2 per cent to 3 per cent. For trust and loan companies the rate is increased from 0.8 per cent to 1.2 per cent. And these increases will only affect those corporations with paid-up capital greater than $10 million. But they will generate an additional $21 million in revenue in 1986. Effective January 1, 1986 the general corporate income tax rate will increase by one percentage point from 16 per cent to 17 per cent, and this will result in additional annual revenues of $7 million. Small businesses with active business income less than $200,000 per year will be not be affected by this measure. In addition to these tax increases, I am announcing one other revenue-generating initiative. Effective midnight tonight, the tax on cigarettes will be increased by 25 cents per package, or 1 cent per cigarette - for those to calculate, opposite - with similar increases for cigars and cut tobacco. This measure will generate $22 million in revenue in 1986. In total, our revenue-raising measures will provide an additional $50 million in revenue in the 1986 fiscal year. We were pleased to see the federal government. . . (inaudible interjection) . . . Not in a pack of 25, for the hon. member. . . We were pleased to see the federal government follow our lead and introduce a 500,000 lifetime capital gains tax exemption. This will result in a provincial tax saving of more than $20 million for Saskatchewan farmers and small-business people. The federal program was designed to accomplish the same objectives as the Saskatchewan program. In addition, the continuation of the Saskatchewan rebate program after the introduction of the capital gains exemption, will result in some individuals receiving a rebate for provincial tax that they did not have to pay. And they did not pay. Accordingly, I am announcing the termination of the provincial capital gains tax rebate program for the 1985 taxation year and thereafter. These revenue initiatives, combined with tax measures to stimulate investment and the growth of small business, form a package of tax changes which generates revenue from banks and large corporations and at the same time, the tax burden on families and small business is reduced. Total provincial revenues for 1986 will be 3.359 billion. This includes an additional $28 million in revenue generated from banks and our largest corporations. Combined expenditures will increase to 3.748 billion, an increase of 281 million or 8 per cent from estimated expenditures for 1985-86, when increased expenditures for health, agriculture and debt charges are excluded. Government spending will increase by only 1.6 per cent. Twenty-nine of 39 government departments and agencies had either no increase or a decrease in their budgets between 1984 and '85. And 17 of the 39 will either have no increase or a decrease between 1985 and 1986. A clear sign that government expenditures are well under control. One of the ways that expenditures will be controlled is through the creation of a new property management corporation. The corporation which is modeled after similar Crown corporations in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec will acquire, finance, and manage government land and buildings. No longer will these functions be spread out among several government departments and agencies. Instead they will be centralized in one Crown corporation to achieve maximum efficiencies. Line department managers will then be able to concentrate their efforts on the programs they know best, leaving property management functions to the experts. For the first time in Saskatchewan history government managers will be held accountable for the efficient use of space. And for the first time government will be able to obtain the true cost of programs. We anticipate that the savings resulting from the new corporation will be substantial. Creation of this corporation is in keeping with our commitment to eliminate waste and duplication in government; commitment which has resulted in savings of over $300 million to date and a reduction in the civil service of more than 1,000 positions since 1982. Another important initiative to keep the 1986 deficit as low as possible is the further reduction of the civil service by more than 300 positions. This reduction will be used to offset the increase, partially offset the increase in nursing positions that the Minister of Health has recently announced. Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you that no one will lose their job as a result of this efficiency initiative. The reduction will be achieved through the management of vacancies. In addition, we will continue to maintain the very close scrutiny of all expenditures by departments throughout the year. Managers will no longer be given automatic pay raises. Salary increases for government managers will now be based on merit. Deputy ministers will approve all expenditures greater than $500, and all out-of-province travel. It was through measures such as these that our government was able to save more than $25 million during the last quarter alone. And we will continue this program of restraint in 1986 and thereafter. These stringent expenditure controls and revenue stabilization through the effective use of capital assets will result in a deficit for 1986 of $389 million – a decrease of over $200 million from the revised estimates of 1985. And this government is fully confident that a balanced budget can be achieved within the next five years, Mr. Speaker. This reduced deficit for '86 is the first step towards this goal. And we will be examining additional ways to improve efficiency and accountability, and one possibility that will be closely examined is a more formal capital budget approach. Total capital financing requirements in 1986 are estimated at 1.62 billion. Net borrowing requirements, after providing for refinancing, will amount to 1.24 billion. Of this amount, $900 million will be allocated to Saskatchewan Crown corporations. Major Crown corporation projects which are helping build a better Saskatchewan include the continuation of the rural natural gas distribution program; the beginning of the rural electric underground program; and the beginning of rural individual telephone line service. And these projects demonstrate this government's commitment to Saskatchewan. The Canada Pension Plan will provide $120 million in capital, with the remainder coming from various capital markets. And again, Mr. Speaker, Main Street, Saskatchewan, will have the opportunity to be provided with attractive opportunities to invest in our Crown corporations. Before this government assumed office in April of 1982, the people of Saskatchewan were faced with problems of crisis proportions. They wanted a change. We took immediate responsible action. We protected family homes from high mortgage interest rates. We removed the tax on gas and essential commodities. We allowed young farmers to purchase the land they work. We improved efficiency in government. New businesses have been formed, and thousands of new jobs are being created. Unemployment levels are low. The economy is growing. This strong performance was achieved because we have a plan for economic development. A plan that builds upon those values and beliefs which have made Saskatchewan great. A plan that creates opportunities; and a plan that creates jobs. Our common sense approach to economic development, together with our firm commitment to protect families, the family farm, and our social institutions, has guided this government's actions during the last four years. It has also formed the basis for our budget for 1986. A budget that provides additional opportunities for economic development and major improvements to our security net. The highlights of this budget include: the Saskatchewan pension plan; the exemption of all clothing under $300 from the sales tax; an 8 per cent interest program for small business; a two-year corporate tax holiday to new small businesses incorporating after budget night; expansions of venture capital program; a provincial income tax credit for the construction or expansion of livestock facilities to stimulate livestock production; a stock savings plan; an agricultural and commercial equity corporation; a first-time new home buyers program providing a $3,000 grant to families; the largest increase in agricultural and health expenditures in the history of the province; a major increase in spending in education; a new approach to funding day care centres in the province; and a property management corporation to improve the management of the Crown's land and buildings; and a reduction in the deficit and a commitment to a balanced budget in five years; and, Mr. Speaker, for the Leader of the Opposition, a 6.3 per cent increase for capital projects and highways. Mr. Speaker, this budget provides further stimulation to small business to create new economic opportunities and jobs. It also provides additional protection for families and for our social institutions. It is a budget which is part of an economic development plan for the province; a plan which is founded on the basic values of the Saskatchewan people themselves; a plan created by a government which is proud of our past and optimistic and confident about our province's future. Hon. Mr. Lane: - Mr. Speaker, opposition policies which threaten the start of the Gainers bacon plant in North Battleford will not keep Saskatchewan working. They will cost Saskatchewan young people jobs and opportunities. And NDP policies which call for the phasing out of uranium mining will not keep Saskatchewan working. That will cost young people jobs and opportunities. And NDP policies which will cancel and stop the Estevan power project will not keep Saskatchewan working. They will cost our young people jobs and opportunities. NDP political policies which will cancel business incentives to the oil and natural gas industry will not keep Saskatchewan working. They will cost our young people jobs and opportunities. Mr. Speaker, this province can't afford not to have another four more years of Grant Devine and the Progressive Conservative Party. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member from Souris-Cannington: That this Assembly do now resolve itself into the committee of finance.