NORTH BATTLEFORD — The impact of the expansion of the provincial sales tax to entertainment venues was a major discussion point at North Battleford council Monday.
The issue was raised during the presentation of General Manager Kali Weber of the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, who was presenting 2021 financials for the organization.
Mayor David Gillan raised the issue of the expansion of the six per cent PST, which was announced in the provincial budget this spring to include sports and entertainment venues.
Weber acknowledged it will impact the Dekker Centre as well. She said as of Oct. 1, they will have to charge PST on ticket admissions.
Gillan noted he had been at the city mayors caucus meeting in Saskatoon, and said the mayors were “very upset about this.”
“It’s affecting their facilities quite dramatically. They’re seeing shows being cancelled. Shows are difficult to get in Saskatchewan. That’s my understanding, that’s what they were saying, because we’re a small market and North Battleford’s no exception.”
Gillan added the city mayors were saying there was “negativity coming from promoters about the government putting PST on this type of activity.” He asked Weber if she was hearing anything that might impact the Dekker Centre’s ability to get and to sell out a show.
Weber said she had not heard anything from promoters. However, she did say “my colleagues in Saskatchewan who work in event centres like myself, and myself included, are pretty worried about it.”
She said what they have done for the 2022-23 season is have average ticket prices between $20 and $35. “We are really trying to keep things affordable, which come from really looking at budgets, our corporate sponsorship and funding to help do that.”
They will also be doing a “beat the PST” campaign to urge people to buy tickets for shows prior to Oct. 1 so they will not be charged PST after that date.
Weber also noted colleagues in organizations like Sask Culture and the Saskatchewan Arts Council have been advocating on the issue. She also pointed to the impact not only on her organization but on gym memberships and sporting events.
“We’re talking about industries that have really suffered over the past two years and this is definitely not going to make it easier, but our hope is that through careful budgeting and making sure that our ticket prices aren’t too high that it won’t have too big of an effect, as people are dealing with substantial inflation.”
The inflation issue could potentially work in the Dekker Centre’s favour as Weber noted people could decide to see shows closer to home rather than drive elsewhere with the price of fuel.
Mayor Gillan added that the 16 mayors had agreed to pen a joint letter to the province calling for them to rescind their planned PST expansion.
“We as city mayors are trying our best to get that decision reversed,” said Gillan. He also noted the province has reversed on some things in the past, such as on library cuts, after cities voiced concerns.
