The decisions were politically motivated to a great extent, so the fact their announcements were received enthusiastically by the electorate puts the Sask. Party in the driver's seat heading into this fall's provincial election.
Finding a fresh batch of money hidden under the resource sector mattress helped the provincial government gain fresh friends and renew acquaintances these past couple of weeks.
The pre-emptive strikes of additional funds for provincial needs, such as education and health care, are difficult to critcize since money is always needed for those sectors.
The difficult decisions regarding health region funding and composition and the complete formula for funding kindergarten to Grade 12 education are being delayed until after the November election. Since we can expect major shifts with those two files, it appears as if the Sask. Party is taking the politically pragmatic approach on them and punting them into next year territory.
In the meantime, we can expect Brad Wall and his team to bask in the glow (once more) of a healthy resource sector that is bringing additional tens of millions of dollars into the provincial treasury for spending.
The only worrisome part of these transactions is the fact that some of these new-found dollars are going to be directed toward programs that need to be sustained over the long haul. So when resource dollars eventually dry up, will the promised perpetual support of the provincial governments disappear too?
We speak, of course, of the promise to provide operating and capital funds for education; taking the onus off local property taxes. Smooth move, but is it sustainable?
Reducing the local fund-raising commitment for health care facilities from 35 per cent to 20 per cent is also admirable and welcomed. But sustainable? We don't know.
At least it moved the playing field toward a little more fairness since it is well noted that capital projects for hospitals in Regina and Saskatoon are 100 per cent supported by the provincial treasury, not 65 per cent or 80 per cent. Those who have had to raise funds to build facilities like St. Joseph's Hospital will know all about the sacrifices that are made to get the job done. Now it could be a little easier and the government's decision to reduce the amount for local commitments is coming just in time to assist the area fund-raising drive for the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home. The decision will reduce the required local commitment by about $5 million in the process.
Of course we always have to keep our eye on the obvious fact that one way or another, it's our money that is being used. We're just switching the pockets it comes from. It's coming from our resource taxes and royalties or from the retail and industrial communities or from the tax-paying salary earner.
So while we continue to debate the needs for a twinned Highway 39 or a domed event complex in Regina and truck routes around the Energy City, it keeps us focused on the fact that there is plenty still to be done in southeast Saskatchewan. This will require our due diligence and continual pressure on the legislature to ensure our voice isn't drowned out and our needs don't get lost in the swirling vortex of a new spending spree by those in charge of the piggy bank.
