Saskatchewan Provincial Election 2024 | Catholic Conscience †

Read. Pray. Vote! Saskatchewan Provincial Election

Veuillez noter: nous travaillons à terminer la traduction de cette page et des ressources associées en français, et les publierons dès que possible. Veuillez nous excuser pour la gêne occasionnée. En attendant, veuillez essayer le bouton de traduction en haut de la page (le petit drapeau français). Veuillez pardonner tout inconvénient.

The October election will offer Saskatchewan voters an opportunity to ensure that the province is guided by leaders who will provide practical and efficient leadership with the good of all in mind – including the unborn, the elderly, the young, families, and those who are too often forgotten by society – as well as workers, farmers, business owners, and all future generations.

Catholics are called to participate, in accordance with the full measure of talents entrusted to us by God, each of us in accordance with our own well-formed conscience. At a minimum, this means voting prayerfully and wisely after having considered all relevant issues, the positions of each of the candidates and parties, and relevant Church teachings. Many of us are called to even deeper involvement: volunteering at polling stations and other efforts to get out the vote; engaging personally with candidates and party officials; helping to spread good ideas and encourage others to vote properly; or in some cases volunteering to assist candidates or parties – or even putting ourselves forward as candidates.

This page will guide you toward resources and starting points to assist you in these efforts, whether you are Catholic or simply a good person interested in a better world.

A Catholic Voting Process

Catholic Civics: Our Church’s Teaching on Society

For more than 130 years the Catholic Church has offered detailed guidance on a full range of social issues, from the dignity of life and of our life’s work to the environment and proper roles of government, the economy, and educational institutions.

Specifically, we are called to consider each of the following principles, values, and virtues in deciding our votes:

The life and dignity of the human person, which includes both the sanctity of life and the dignity of work. Catholics care about the sanctity of life because the entire purpose of this life is for each soul God puts into it to find its way back to God. Terminating a life voluntarily at any time after its conception necessarily frustrates that purpose. We care about work because it is through our life’s work that we apply the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to us assist in His continuing act of creation, seeking truth and working to ensure that all those around us are enabled to apply their gifts as well.

The Church defines the common good as the sum total of social conditions which allow people, as both groups and individuals, to reach their own true human fulfilment more fully and more easily, including commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all. Everyone deserves access to a dignified home, sufficient and nutritious food, and an opportunity to put the talents God entrusted to them to work.

Subsidiarity is the principle that all institutions of society – the government, businesses, schools, community organizations, and above all individuals and the family – help each other to serve their proper purpose. It includes the general rule that things should be done, and decided, by individuals, or at the lowest responsibly possible social level. Only by empowering individuals and smaller groups to make their own decisions can their freedom to seek God in their own ways be ensured. Each of us must be allowed to make our own way as best we can, under our own power, charting our own course toward truth in true freedom.

Solidarity, or the principle that what affects one of us affects us all, whether we are in the same town, province, or country, speak the same language, or have the same interests. As St. Paul explained, we are all different parts of the same One Body of Christ. If others suffer, we share in their distress.

A very common challenge is to balance the principle of solidarity – which should suggest to all of us that “we’re all in this together” – with subsidiarity, which implies among other things that individuals and organizations should strive to do what they can to take care of themselves first, before burdening others.

The fundamental values of truth, freedom, justice, and love should guide consideration of all proposals. We should always ask ourselves, how does any proposal relate to the truth, to freedom, to justice, and to love for all?

The virtues of wisdom and humility are also of fundamental importance, though sometimes in our modern culture they can seem to seldom be considered.

Want more information?

Our summary of the principles, values, virtues, and sins of Catholic social thinking, based on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, the Catechism, and other Church teachings, is available here.

The official and encyclopedic Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church can be found here.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church can be found here.

Curious as to which level(s) of government are responsible for an issue? A listing of federal, provincial, and municipal responsibilities in Canada can be found here.

Thoughts on the Catholic duty of civic participation can be found here.

Papal teachings, including encyclicals, exhortations, and other documents, are available at www.vatican.va.

Materials published by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning peace, justice, civics, and participation can be found here.

Additional election resources

Having begun with prayer, we consider the positions of the parties. Our platform and policy comparisons set each party’s complete platform, stated in the party’s own words, side-by-side with each of the other parties’ platforms and with Catholic social teaching.

Whether you are Catholic or simply a good person interested in a better world, prayerful comparison of party positions across the full range of social issues can assist you in discerning the wiser, more fully-informed vote God wants from you: a vote directed toward the true common good of all.

Downloads

Our comparisons are based on official publications of the registered parties, provincial budgets and auditors’ reports, and any communications provided by the parties directly to Catholic Conscience, as of July 7, 2024. We will update these materials as best we can as the elections approach. Voters are in all case encouraged to review the websites, platforms, and other materials published by the parties, and to speak directly to the parties and their candidates. Parties having question or suggestions for the improvement of these comparisons are invited to contact us at info@CatholicConscience.org.

↓ To browse the full comparison, simply scroll down the page. ↓

Download ↓
Voter comme un catholique (SK24 fr)

Un guide de référence pratique pour comparer nos plateformes et les processus de vote catholiques. Sous forme de feuillet simple au format PDF recto-verso, il est idéal pour la distribution par groupes et paroisses, ainsi que pour une référence rapide par ceux qui examinent nos documents comparatifs détaillés ci-dessous.

Download ↓
Voting Like a Catholic (SK 2024)

Church Teaching

The right to life from conception to natural death is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching.
This is something that is not subject to alleged forms or ‘modernizations.’ It is not
‘progressive’ to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life.

Catholics care about the sanctity of life because the entire purpose of each soul God endows with life is to find its way back to God by loving God and caring for all the souls God has placed around it. Voluntary termination of life any time between conception and natural death necessarily frustrates that purpose.

The source of human dignity is the likeness to God that is bestowed on each of us at the moment we are conceived. We respond appropriately to this gift by using all the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to us to seek and grow closer to God, by sharing in His continuing act of creation and caring for those around us. Our first purpose is to seek God, especially in one another. If we do that, everything else will be given to us. Anything that interferes with that is contrary to the Word of God. Genesis chapter 1; Matthew chapters 6, 22 & 25

Abortion & Euthanasia

“You shall not kill.”
– the 5th Commandment

The right to life from conception to natural death is the foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching, and in particular, implies the illicitness of every form of procured abortion and of euthanasia. – 155, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

“This is not something subject to alleged reforms or ‘modernizations.’ It is not ‘progressive’ to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life.”
– Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium 214

Human Engineering

Cloning and Cell Manipulation
An issue of particular social and cultural significance today, because of its many and serious moral implications… the simple replication of normal cells or of a portion of DNA presents no particular ethical problem. Very different, however, is cloning understood in the proper sense. Such cloning is contrary to the dignity of human procreation because it takes place in total absence of an act of personal love between spouses, being agamic and asexual reproduction. In the second place, this type of reproduction represents a form of total domination over the reproduced individual on the part of the one reproducing it…

Cloning for therapeutic use does not attenuate its moral gravity, because in order that such cells may be removed the embryo must first be created and then destroyed. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 236

Gender Election
Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity. Physical, moral and spiritual difference and complementarities are oriented towards the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 224

Men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 358

Population Growth; Birth Control; Family Planning
Judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God… The intervention of public authorities must be made in a way that fully respects the freedom of the couple. All programmes of economic assistance aimed at financing campaigns of sterilization and contraception are to be orally condemned as affronts to the dignity of the person and the family.

The answer to questions connected with population growth must instead by sought in simultaneous respect both of sexual morals and of social ethics, promoting greater justice and authentic solidarity so that dignity is given to life in all circumstances.

All reproductive techniques — such as the donation of sperm or ova, surrogate motherhood, heterologous artificial fertilization — that make use of the uterus of another woman or of gametes of persons other than the married couple, injuring the right of the child to be born of one father and one mother who are father and mother are ethically unacceptable both from a biological and from a legal point of view. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 234-235,

Human Trafficking

The solemn proclamation of human rights is contradicted by a painful reality of violations, including new forms of slavery such as trafficking in human beings, illegal drug trafficking, prostitution. “Even in countries with democratic forms of government, these rights are not always fully respected”. Some serious problems remain unsolved: trafficking in children, the phenomenon of “street children, and the use of children for commerce in pornographic material. 158, 245 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 158, 245

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Green Party of Saskatchewan

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Saskatchewan Party

Saskatchewan United Party

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: Life & Human Dignity

A conscience well formed by the social teachings of the Church will take seriously the following questions:

The Meaning & Dignity of Life, and Government Policy-Making Indexes

It is a sad fact that many of our parties, along with many of our voters, have stopped talking about or even acknowledging the evils of abortion, Socially-Assisted Death (SAD), and other sins against the sanctity of the body and the dignity of life. Is this because we as a society have been distracted by the comforts and worries of modern life, and lost touch with the purpose of life? Or are we simply hiding, like the timid steward of Matthew 25:18?

And what of our governments? For years, many (probably most) of our political parties have been fond of asserting, in dozens of ways, that various groups of Canadians “deserve” or are “entitled to” a very wide variety of benefits in order to enable them (us) to live lives of dignity. They are much more reluctant, however, to offer any indication of what they mean by a “dignified” life, or any way of measuring the effect of the benefits they propose on improving it. Indeed, the only indexes used by most governments to gauge wellness of any kind are gross domestic production levels (GDP) – the aggregate worth of the material objects our society produces. This has caused many observers to remark that Canada and other parts of the world appear to have lost any common conception of the proper meaning of the dignity or purpose of life, replacing that common conception its accompanying sense of community, shared culture, and a sense of the common good with an obsessive consumerism and pursuit of comfort and material wealth. All sense of civil community and our obligation to serve that common good suffers as well. The result has been a postmodern individualism that leaves human beings feeling isolated and on their own.

In his encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis observed that:

Today, in many countries, hyperbole, extremism and polarization have become political tools. Employing a strategy of ridicule, suspicion and relentless criticism, in a variety of ways one denies the right of others to exist or to have an opinion. Their share of the truth and their values are rejected and, as a result, the life of society is impoverished and subjected to the hubris of the powerful. Political life no longer has to do with healthy debates about long-term plans to improve people’s lives and to advance the common good, but only with slick marketing techniques primarily aimed at discrediting others. In this craven exchange of charges and counter-charges, debate degenerates into a permanent state of disagreement and confrontation.

Recently some parties have begun to propose various “wellness” indicators as an alternative to reliance on GDP in gauging social wellbeing. Such indicators are based on factors said to represent the health, happiness, and well-being of society and its individual members. And in 2019 the current Canadian government quietly introduced a new “Quality of Life” measure in its instructions to new cabinet ministers, and caused the creation of a “Quality of Life Hub”. The Hub introduces the index and a draft method for measuring it, and solicits public feedback. (See https://www160.statcan.gc.ca/index-eng.htm)

1) How should Catholics respond to the government’s call for comment, with properly and prayerfully-formed consciences?

How do the following questions, and their answers, factor into the government’s proposed framework? How do they relate to life and politics in the province of Saskatchewan?

What limits should be placed on voluntary termination of human life, either prior to birth or at any time before death? What can or should be done at the federal level, and what should be left to the provinces, or to private, religious, or other non-profit organizations?
What options is our society able to offer to reluctant or unwilling mothers, as alternatives to abortion and to support unwanted children?
Is it appropriate to allow minors to consider suicide as a health care option without consulting their parents?
What options can be offered by provincial or federal governments to families of minors who are being encouraged to consider medically-assisted suicide?
Are federal restrictions and controls on cloning and the use of human cells, fetuses, and body parts properly crafted? What, if anything, should be done differently? Should there be more discussion of this serious moral issue in our society?
To what extent should voluntary, elective services that are morally questionable to large numbers of individuals, such as the voluntary termination of life or the voluntary “modification” of gender, be financed publicly through mandatory taxation? If such services are to be offered, should they be financed by the individuals who elect to access them, or by sympathetic charities, or by dissenting taxpayers?
All national political parties have called for continued commitment to the fight against the evil of human trafficking. What more, if anything, could be done to fight this evil, at the personal, local, civic, municipal, and provincial levels to protect vulnerable people? Are you able to recognize the signs of trafficking? If activity that you felt included human trafficking came to your attention, what could or should you do about it?
Are federal restrictions and controls on cloning and the use of human cells, fetuses, and body parts properly crafted? What, if anything, should be done differently? Should there be more discussion of this serious moral issue in our society?

Church Teaching

Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue:
it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.
Pope Francis, Laudato si’, 217

The Book of Genesis provides us with certain foundations of Christian anthropology, including the meaning of human activity in the world, which is linked to the discovery and respect of the laws of nature that God has inscribed in the created universe, so that humanity may live in it and care for it in accordance with God’s will. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 37.

Climate Change

There is urgency to this issue. Every Pope since at least Paul VI has written of our need to shift to a more responsible use of the earth and its abundant resources. The Church accepts that that need is now urgent.

“A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system… Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat… at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other factors, yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases released mainly as a result of human activity. Pope Francis, Laudato si’, 23

Energy & Resources

The good steward neither allows the resources entrusted to him to lie fallow or to fail to produce their proper fruit, nor does he waste or destroy them (Matthew 25:14-30). Rather, he uses them responsibly, for the Lord’s purposes, to realize their increase so that he may enjoy his livelihood and provide for the good of his family, his descendants, and his neighbors.

Humanity’s relationship with creation and the creatures of the earth “requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 115

One of the higher priority issues in economics is the utilization of resources, that is, of all those goods and services to which economic subjects — producers and consumers in the private and public spheres — attribute value because of their inherent usefulness in the areas of production and consumption… Resources in nature are quantitatively scarce, which means that each individual economic subject, as well as each individual society, must necessarily come up with a plan for their utilization in the most rational way possible, following the logic dictated by the “principle of economizing.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 346

Because of the powerful means of transformation offered by technological civilization, it seems that the balance between man and the environment has reached a critical point… A reductionistic conception quickly spread, starting from the presupposition — which was seen to be erroneous — that an infinite quantity of energy and resources are available, that it is possible to renew them quickly, and that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily absorbed… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 461, 462

Conservation & Sustainable Development

Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using “with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate — animals, plants, the natural elements — simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs.”

Responsibility for the environment, the common heritage of mankind, extends not only to present needs but also to those of the future… This is a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future… A correct understanding of the environment… at the same time…must not absolutize nature and place it above the dignity of the human person himself. In this latter case, one can go so far as to divinize nature or the earth, as can readily be seen in certain ecological movements that seek to gain an internationally guaranteed institutional status for their beliefs. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 361, 461-463

Species Diversity & Wildlife

Man and woman find themselves also in the presence of all the other creatures. They can and are obliged to put them at their own service and to enjoy them, but their dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God, who is its author. Man must discover and respect its value. This is a marvellous challenge to his intellect, which should lift him up as on wings towards the contemplation of the truth of all God’s creatures, that is, the contemplation of what God sees as good in them. Man must recognize all of God’s creatures for what they are and establish with each of them a relationship of responsibility. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 113.

“Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. Man must respect the particular goodness of every creature, to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 399

It is a responsibility that must mature on the basis of the global dimension of the present ecological crisis… This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers, in the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem, the environmental value of biodiversity, which must be handled with a sense of responsibility and adequately protected… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 466

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Stewardship of Creation:

As a matter of principle under its constitution, the party states that:
– the party is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with environmental responsibility; including appropriate stewardship, conservation, preservation and use of our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations

Energy & Resources

The party advocates:
– legislation guaranteeing the people of Saskatchewan the right to develop and process their own energy resources, ensuring availability to residents at affordable costs, free from global market pricing and foreign influence or constraints
– adopting a policy that supports all forms of energy and power generation, reflecting an inclusive approach to energy resources
– ensuring that the Saskatchewan government and all crown corporations prioritize grid reliability in their energy policies
– restricting ownership of strategic coal reserves in Saskatchewan to Canadian residents and corporations
– establishing a tax incentive in the form of 100% expensing for tax purposes, for research and development costs related to developing new coal and activated carbon products in the province
– addressing boundary issues and property rights with respect to renewable energy, including wind wake issues, by empowering municipalities to veto the establishment of wind turbine and solar facilities within their jurisdiction or place reasonable restrictions on their location
– ending SaskPower’s monopoly, to allow for private sector power production and experimentation with clean coal technology
– holding public reviews and consultations on mine remediation rules, including the required dollar value of reclamation bonds, clean-up cost estimates, and alternative funding mechanisms such as assigned trusts, every four years
– a tax deduction for retraining costs, up to $10,000, for workers and their spouses in industries directly threatened by federal energy and environmental legislation
– increasing the tax credit for eligible investments to 50%, to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) and increased energy production in the province

Green Party of Saskatchewan

Climate Change

The party states that its principles are aligned with the principles of the Global Greens, and include the following respecting Ecological Wisdom:
– acknowledgement that human beings are part of the natural world, and respects the specific values of all forms of life, including non-human species.
– acknowledgement of the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the world, as custodians of the land and its resources.
– i acknowledgement that human society depends on the ecological resources of the planet, and must ensure the integrity of ecosystems and preserve biodiversity and the resilience of life supporting systems.

To that end the party advocates:
– learning, as a society, to live within the ecological and resource limits of the planet
– protecting animal and plant life, and life itself that is sustained by the natural elements: earth, water, air and sun
– where knowledge is limited, taking the path of caution, in order to secure the continued abundance of the resources of the planet for present and future generations

Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party states that:
– it recognises the limited scope for the material expansion of human society within the biosphere, and the need to maintain biodiversity through sustainable use of renewable resources and responsible use of non-renewable resources.
– it believes that to achieve sustainability, and in order to provide for the needs of present and future generations within the finite resources of the earth, continuing growth in global consumption, population and material inequity must be halted and reversed.
– it recognizes that sustainability will not be possible as long as poverty persists.

To that end, the party advocates:
– ensuring that the rich limit their consumption to allow the poor their fair share of the earthʼs resources.
– redefining the concept of wealth, to focus on quality of life rather than capacity for over-consumption.
– creation of a world economy which aims to satisfy the needs of all, not the greed of a few; and enables those presently living to meet their own needs, without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
– eliminating the causes of population growth by ensuring economic security, and providing access to basic education and health, for all; giving both men and women greater control over their fertility.
– redefining the roles and responsibilities of trans-national corporations in order to support the principles of sustainable development.
– implementing mechanisms to tax, as well as regulating, speculative financial flows.
– ensuring that market prices of goods and services fully incorporate the environmental costs of their production and consumption.
– achieving greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies.
– encouraging local self-reliance to the greatest practical extent to create worthwhile, satisfying communities.
– recognising the key role of youth culture and encouraging an ethic of sustainability within that culture.

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Saskatchewan Party

The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget provides the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency with a $5.5-million deposit on four airtankers to help manage wildfires in the province. The four land-based aircraft (two Dash 8-Q400AT and two Dash 8-Q400MRE) will replace the current fleet of land-based airtankers (four Convair 580). The first of the four airplanes is expected to arrive in late summer of 2025, with the remaining arriving by the end of 2027. The province will receive federal funding to offset the cost of the aircraft through Natural Resources Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program.

Energy & Resources

The party states that:
– the Ministry of Energy and Resources and its $53.8-million budget for 2024-2025 will support the province’s growing economy with a focus on Saskatchewan’s world-class natural resources.
– including in the ministry’s 2024-2025 budget is $10 million in funding over 10 years for the Public Geoscience Initiative, which will increase exploration to drive the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy.
– the budget also provides funding for enhancements to help ensure the permitting process for the exploration of natural resources is efficient and effective. For example, in recognition of the important role of critical minerals, the 2024-25 Budget introduces the Saskatchewan Critical Mineral Innovation Incentive for new pilot projects and the complementary Critical Mineral Processing Investment Incentive for new or expanded value-added processing projects.
– private companies have committed to more than 60 large-scale investment projects across the province in recent years – totaling more than $39 billion. These include projects in the agri-value, manufacturing and processing, mining, forestry and energy sectors.

To further encourage investment in the provincial economy, the party’s 2024-25 Budget includes enhancements to the following industry incentive programs:
– Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive: extends the application period an additional five years and increases the program funding cap to a maximum of $100 million in royalty credits.
– Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive: extends the program an additional five years and increases the program funding cap to a maximum of $500 million in Crown royalty credits.

Conservation & Sustainable Development

Forestry
The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget provides funding to accelerate work on the Forest Resource Inventory Project, helping to achieve the Growth Plan goal of doubling Saskatchewan’s forestry industry.

Innovations & Clean Energy
In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that:
– it has extended the Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive program by one year to allow for a program review, which will include engaging with industry.
– for the Saskatchewan Technology Start-Up Incentive, it has doubled the annual program cap on the amount of non-refundable tax credits that may be issued to $7 million annually; expands eligibility to start-ups in the cleantech and all agtech sectors; and extends the program by one year.
– a new Multi-lateral Well Program for facilitating development of previously inaccessible or uneconomic oil plays and attract increased oil well drilling to Saskatchewan
– the budget further provides a $140-million Clean Electricity Transition Grant (CETG) to SaskPower for use towards in-year clean electricity operating costs, to help maintain affordable power rates for customers.

Nuclear Power
The party states that:
– it established the Small Modular Reactor Investment Fund to support the future development of the province’s first small modular nuclear reactor, which will provide zero-emission baseload power. The fund will receive annual allocations tied to electricity sector revenues, with all investment income earned retained in the fund. By the close of the 2024-25 fiscal year, it is projected the fund will be a $568.4-million asset for the province.

Saskatchewan United Party

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: Stewardship of Creation

Many voices, including scientists, the Vatican, and the United Nations, agree that in order to avoid catastrophic global heating, with resulting unpredictable increases in the number and severity of extreme weather events, loss of agricultural land, particularly in the poorest countries, and collapse of ecosystems, the global average temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade; and that to achieve such a limit, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (collectively, “greenhouse gasses”, or GHG) must be cut in half by 2030 and brought to zero net increase by 2050. Canada is currently committed is to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but according to the Auditor General may not meet that goal. And others wonder whether Canada’s commitment is big enough to be fair to other countries.

The charts below show different aspects of GHG emissions in Canada, using the most recent data available. They provide rich ground for reflection on the application of Catholic Social Teaching. The first chart, labeled “Figure 9“, shows emissions per person in each province, by province, according to the most recent data available. The second, labeled “Table 2”, shows the levels of emissions for various industries as of 2005 (the “benchmark year by which most international GHG comparisons). The third, “Chart 20”, shows the federal government’s understanding of past emissions levels, and predictions for getting to its agreed level by 2030.

Emissions in Saskatchewan: Figure 9, the per-capita provincial comparisons, suggests that on a per-person basis the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan produce significantly more GHG emissions than any other provinces. Is it fair to say, however, that the people of Saskatchewan are producing more emissions than are required to maintain reasonable lifestyles, either at home or elsewhere around the world? For example, it is understood that the oil and gas industries are significant contributors are important to Saskatchewan’s economy, and that the majority of that production is exported to other provinces and countries, along with Saskatchewan’s potash, agricultural produce, and uranium, to support lifestyles and industries in places other than Saskatchewan – in effect, causing the ‘bad rap’ for emissions caused by use and consumption of those products elsewhere to be dumped on Saskatchewan. If the people of Saskatchewan have been encouraged by foreign customers to develop the oil, gas, potash, uranium, and agricultural industries, is it fair to expect them to suddenly make up the entire difference themselves? Considering the Catholic principles of subsidiarity (each of us is responsible for ourselves) and solidarity (we’re all in this together):
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by the people of Saskatchewan to reduce emissions levels?
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by the other provinces, and/or the federal government?
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done Saskatchewan’s oil and gas customers in other countries?
- SaskEnergy has committed to reducing its operational emissions by 35 percent, relative to 2019 levels, by 2030. What sustainable alternatives can be offered in energy production that are both fiscally and environmentally responsible?
- Should you, your parish group, or others consider contacting SaskEnergy or your MLA to offer or discuss alternatives? https://www.saskenergy.com/about-us/commitment-sustainability/our-roadmap-to-35-per-cent-by-2030
- Are just levels of public royalties and other revenue streams associated with Saskatchewan’s emissions being collected and invested back into the province to support cleaner resource development?
Industrial Emissions: Table 2 suggests both encouraging and concerning trends in various industries. For example, it suggests that Canada-wide emissions caused by the generation of electricity have been reduced by more than half, while significant progress has been made in other heavy industries. On the other hand, emissions in the oil and gas, agricultural, and buildings sectors have continued to rise. What can or should be done about that, bearing the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, the common good, and the sanctity of life in mind?
Canada’s Fair Share: Chart 20 seems to present a challenge for all Canadians, wherever we live.
- For example, it is disappointing to see that emissions levels for the first 20 years shown in the chart have remained relatively level, with the bulk of the reductions being predicted for the last 10 years. It seems disappointingly common for curves on social phenomena to show the bulk of the progress in the future, while little improvement has been made in the years since commitments were made. Must that always be so? Assuming that it is true in this case, can or should Canada do better?
- The chart also seems to suggest that even if we meet the 2030 goal as a nation, we all have much work to do beyond that: our nation has committed only to reduce emissions to a point at which we are producing about six times as many emissions as the rest of the world. If that is true, can or should Canada do better?

Church Teaching

The family is the primary unit in society. The priority of the family over society and the State must be affirmed.

The demands of the common good… are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights. These demands concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 166

The Role & Development of the Family

“Honour your father and mother.”
– the 4th Commandment

The family is the primary unit in society. It is where education begins and the Word of God is first nurtured. The priority of the family over society and the State must be affirmed. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 209-214

The Church teaches that the proper role of government and other human institutions is to foster human life and dignity by maintaining social conditions that enable and encourage us to serve God in one another, and thereby to promote that which is truly in the common interest. This begins with nurturing and enabling families, as well as supporting the elderly and other marginalized members of society.

A society built on a family scale is the best guarantee against drifting off course into individualism or collectivism, because within the family the person is always at the centre of attention as an end and never as a means. It is patently clear that the good of persons and the proper functioning of society are closely connected with the healthy state of conjugal and family life. Without families that are strong in their communion and stable in their commitment, peoples grow weak.

The priority of the family over society and the State must be affirmed. The family does not exist for society or the State, but society and the State exist for the family.

Every social model that intends to serve the good of man must not overlook the centrality and social responsibility of the family. In their relationship to the family, society and the State are seriously obligated to observe the principle of subsidiarity. In virtue of this principle, public authorities may not take away from the family tasks which it can accomplish well by itself or in free association with other families; on the other hand, these same authorities have the duty to sustain the family, ensuring that it has all the assistance that it needs to fulfil properly its responsibilities. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 209-214

The Church teaches that the proper role of government and other human institutions is to foster human life and dignity by maintaining social conditions that enable and encourage us to serve God in one another, and thereby to promote that which is truly in the common interest. This begins with nurturing and enabling families, as well as supporting the elderly and other marginalized members of society.

Healthcare

The demands of the common good concern above all commitment to a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom.

Among the causes that greatly contribute to underdevelopment and poverty, mention must be made of illiteracy, lack of food security, the absence of structures and services, inadequate measures for guaranteeing basic healthcare, and the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 166, 447

Support for the Elderly

If the elderly are in situations where they experience suffering and dependence, not only do they need health care services and appropriate assistance, but and above all they need to be treated with love. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 222

Education

May Nazareth remind us what the family is, what the communion of love is,
its stark and simple beauty, its sacred and inviolable character; may it help us to see how sweet
and irreplaceable education in the family is; may it teach us its natural function
in the social order. May we finally learn the lesson of work.
Pope Saint Paul VI, Address at Nazareth (5 January 1964)

Maintaining employment depends more and more on one’s professional capabilities. Instructional and educational systems must not neglect human or technological formation, which are necessary for gainfully fulfilling one’s responsibilities. Young people should be taught to act upon their own initiative, to accept the responsibility of facing with adequate competencies the risks connected with a fluid economic context that is often unpredictable in the way it evolves. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 289, 290

“[T]here is a growing loss of the sense of history… A kind of “deconstructionism”, whereby human freedom claims to create everything starting from zero, is making headway in today’s culture. The one thing it leaves in its wake is the drive to limitless consumption and expressions of empty individualism. Concern about this led me to offer the young some advice. “If someone tells young people to ignore their history, to reject the experiences of their elders, to look down on the past and to look forward to a future that he himself holds out, doesn’t it then become easy to draw them along so that they only do what he tells them? He needs the young to be shallow, uprooted and distrustful, so that they can trust only in his promises and act according to his plans. That is how various ideologies operate: they destroy (or deconstruct) all differences so that they can reign unopposed. To do so, however, they need young people who have no use for history, who spurn the spiritual and human riches inherited from past generations, and are ignorant of everything that came before them”. Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 13

Culture, Arts & Tourism

Faced with rapid technological and economic progress, and with the equally rapid transformation of the processes of production and consumption, a great deal of educational and cultural work is urgently needed. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 376, 401

Certain economically prosperous countries tend to be proposed as cultural models for less developed countries; instead, each of those countries should be helped to grow in its own distinct way and to develop its capacity for innovation while respecting the values of its proper culture. A shallow and pathetic desire to imitate others leads to copying and consuming in place of creating, and fosters low national self-esteem.

We forget that “there is no worse form of alienation than to feel uprooted, belonging to no one. A land will be fruitful, and its people bear fruit and give birth to the future, only to the extent that it can foster a sense of belonging among its members, create bonds of integration between generations and different communities, and avoid all that makes us insensitive to others and leads to further alienation.” – Fratelli tutti, 51-53

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Role of the Family

The party advocates:
– comprehensive and balanced counselling and education regarding gender dysphoria, while protecting parental rights to educate their children on matters of sexuality, including requiring the Department of Education and school personnel to inform parents of any counselling involving gender dysphoria
– affirmation of the primary decision-making authority of parents regarding their children’s education. Parents shall have the right to opt out of any curriculum that they find counter to their values. Schools shall be obligated to operate in an open and transparent manner, keeping parents informed of all aspects of their children’s education
– legislating a parental right of involvement in medical decisions, including all medical decisions for their minor children. The “mature minor doctrine” shall only be applied in situations with a court order or clear necessity
– exploring reforms to strengthen the Home Care program, including housekeeping services and respite care

Health Care

The party advocates:
– exploring the use of personal healthcare concierges to enhance patient care and support within the provincial healthcare system.
– legislating a parental right of involvement in medical decisions, including all medical decisions for their minor children. The “mature minor doctrine” shall only be applied in situations with a court order or clear necessity.
– exploring reforms to strengthen the Home Care program, including housekeeping services and respite care.
– ending allocation of public funds for elective abortions unless the physical life of the mother is at risk.
– pursuing policies to minimize the abortion rate, indicating that pregnant women are being supported during difficult circumstances.
– providing enhanced support to pregnant women to safely continue their pregnancies if they so wish.
– supporting a larger role for the private sector in healthcare, ensuring greater access to healthcare for all Saskatchewan residents, shorter wait times, more healthcare professionals, improved services and health outcomes, and more medical equipment such as MRIs.
– expanded health care options for First Nations and Métis peoples, to include traditional foods, medicine, and healing practices.
– legislating guaranteed availability of healthcare in rural areas, including increased numbers of doctors, nurses, beds, and emergency responders
– expanding the number of private and public MRI and CT scan clinics, with a focus on rural areas
– renaming the Saskatchewan Health Authority to the Saskatchewan Health Services

Elder Care

The party advocates:
– to ensure that seniors have access to necessary healthcare services, establishing a voucher system to facilitate travel for seniors from rural areas to urban centers for medical testing.
– exploration and implementation of measures to provide safe and affordable transportation options for seniors throughout the province.
– legislation to ensure that assisted living facilities for seniors are used solely for their intended purpose, providing adequate safeguards and oversight.
– establishment of an oversight committee to ensure that all commitments related to senior care are met, providing transparency and accountability service provision.

Education & Young Workers
The party advocates:
– establishment of Private Education Savings Accounts, and allocating K-12 education funding directly to parents on a per-student basis through these accounts. This initiative aims to increase competition among private and public schools, thereby enhancing educational outcomes for children
– affirmation of the primary decision-making authority of parents regarding their children’s education. Parents shall have the right to opt out of any curriculum that they find counter to their values. Schools shall be obligated to operate in an open and transparent manner, keeping parents informed of all aspects of their children’s education
– supporting students who wish to challenge Grade 12 provincial exams without completing the required in-class portion, ensuring their grades are recorded in government records
– supporting students at any institution of higher learning who wish to opt out of paying student fees that contradict their sincerely held beliefs or do not benefit them
– restricting teachers to teaching only the curriculum approved by the local school board, subject to a parent’s right to opt out of any curriculum they find offensive or unproductive
– designating school principals as ‘out of scope’ employees for legal purposes
– requiring schools to offer courses on entrepreneurship, investment/money management, and marketing, to prepare students for the future. Funding for home economics and industrial arts programs shall be reintroduced.
– to achieve quality education within the province, promoting and supporting school boards that are autonomous, representative, transparent, and effective

Culture, Arts & Tourism
The party states that:
– as a matter of principle under its constitution, it is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with the rich, diverse, and distinct cultural heritage of Saskatchewan, which must be recognized as the province adapts to the present and plans for the future

Green Party of Saskatchewan

Role of the Family

The party has published no current statement concerning its policies relating to:
– the role of the family in society.

Health Care & Elder Care

The party states that:
– the province is justly proud of its healthcare system. Compared to the for-profit, private insurer system south of the border, we have far better health outcomes at far less cost.
– but work remains to be done. Truly universal health care doesn’t simply start and end in a hospital or clinic. It attends to physical, mental and social well-being.
– the opioid epidemic, technology-based models of care, and the widening service gap in mental health are all signs that we have allowed the steady degradation of single-payer universal health care. The slashing of hospital beds in the early 1990s and the creeping presence of two-tier health care must be pushed back.
– the province needs to expand public services. Canada is the only industrialized nation with universal health care that doesn’t have publicly funded prescription drug coverage, also known as Pharmacare. Canadians pay the second-highest rate among developed countries for pharmaceuticals.
– Saskatchewan can lead the way toward universal Pharmacare as it did for Medicare over 50 years ago.
– privatized prescription drug coverage, dental benefits, and addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs have created a two-tier health system where wealth opens the door to a full range of care.

The party advocates:
– expanding public health care to include Pharmacare, establishing a Crown corporation to bulk purchase and dispense prescription drugs and providing much-needed coverage.
– including basic dental care in our coverage.
– extending dental care to low-income children.
– funding non-institutionalized, community-based support for substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation programs.
– creating a drug reduction strategy and developing more safe injection sites.
– regulating the distribution of pharmaceuticals prescribed by doctors to track and prevent dangerous levels of over-medication and prevent opioid addiction.
– developing healthcare guidelines that incentivize active lifestyles as well as healthy diets and choices.- treating drug addiction as a public health issue, not a felony.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

Culture of Cooperation and Mutual Aid
The party states that:
– it believes in the concept of a cooperative rather than competitive human society.
– while both of these elements exist in Nature (including human nature), our industrial society has placed far too much emphasis on competition.
– a change in outlook away from competition and towards cooperation and mutual aid must take place both at the personal, social and global levels.

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Role of the Family

Child Care
The party advocates:
– bringing in affordable and accessible $25/day childcare, to fix the childcare subsidy and create 2,200 new spaces each year to help struggling families.

The party states that:
– people in Saskatchewan believe that everyone, no matter where they are from or what they look like, deserves the same chance at success.
– but too many politicians are telling us to mistrust one another. They are pitting us against each other, leading us to fight among ourselves while they cut and privatize, serving their friends and donors at the expense of our peace and wellbeing.
– we all do better when we remember that we are all in this together.
– it’s time to come together again, to make Saskatchewan work for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or background.
– reforming the child welfare system, working with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and First Nations to increase control and autonomy over child intervention on reserve.
– working with the federal government to restore the family class of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, allowing newcomer families to put down roots and succeed in Saskatchewan.

Health Care & Elder Care

The party states that:
– over the years, the current government has been determined to undermine the public healthcare system. Their reckless attempts to privatize and defund it piece by piece put everyone at risk. Among other things, it has underserved seniors.
– the lack of a plan on mental health and addictions has endangered entire communities.
– it is proud of the provincial public healthcare system. It is a bedrock of the success of the province, and a shining example of the province led the way in Canada by valuing the public good over private profit.
– healthcare is a commitment we make to each other, to ensure all people have the support and care they need, when they need it.
– its top priorities in healthcare are to shorten wait times and end short staffing in primary care, long-term care and hospitals.

To that end, the party advocates:
– ending short staffing in primary care, long-term care and acute care by hiring 100 doctors, 150 registered nurses, 300 licensed practical nurses and 500 continuing care assistants.
– making it easier for seniors to stay in their homes longer by building the best home care in Canada.
– legislating minimum care standards in long-term care.
– opening badly needed dedicated Mental Health Emergency Rooms in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.
– funding an opioid and crystal meth strategy, starting with a $2 million investment.
– investing $5 million in a suicide prevention strategy.
– increasing addiction treatment support by $10 million to enable Saskatchewan Health Authority and community-based organizations to hire more staff.
– investing $1.5 million in public health to help ensure we’re better prepared for future outbreaks.
– establishing a fully independent Seniors’ Advocate.
– providing coverage for insulin pumps for everyone with Type 1 diabetes and covering the cost of continuous glucose monitoring for minors who require that care.

Education & Young Workers

The party states that:
– the current government has squeezed the province’s schools, undermining the future by trying to balance the budget on the backs of children.
– in the midst of the COVID pandemic, the current government made it clear that they had no real plan for returning children to school safely.
– it has worked with parents, educators and public health experts to come up with a plan to put children first.
– it will act quickly to invest the money needed to keep kids safe, and to make sure the education system is ready for challenges ahead.
– it will also invest in childcare and early learning systems to ensure families are able to afford high-quality care when they start a family.

To get additional resources into classrooms immediately in order to provide safer schools and smaller classes, the party advocates:
– reversing recent cuts and ensuring that funding for education increases with enrolment, starting with an additional $150 million for schools.
– helping school divisions reduce class size, address classroom complexity and keep our schools safe with funding for 1,000 more teachers, 700 educational assistants and 400 caretakers.
– providing funding for school divisions to hire 50 school-based Mental Health and Addiction Nurses and other mental health supports.- investing $3 million into a rural education strategy to ensure we meet the unique needs of small-town schools.
– bringing in affordable and accessible $25/day childcare, to fix the childcare subsidy and create 2,200 new spaces each year to help struggling families.
– eliminating interest from student loans, saving students and their families $4.8 million.
– providing free tuition for kids leaving foster care.
– restoring funding to the Northern Teacher Education Program.
– working with First Nations in Saskatchewan to ensure First Nation schools receive equal funding.
– creating a new internship program to help young people get their first good job working for the provincial government and with our Crowns.

The party has published no current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Culture, arts, and tourism

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Role of and Support for the Family

To support families and communities, the party advocates:
– increasing the Saskatchewan Basic Personal Amount an individual can earn before starting to pay income from $16,065 to a number commensurate with a current full time minimum wage position in the province;
– increasing the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit (SLITC) to double its current amount;
– eliminating the Education portion of property tax;
– implementing PST exemptions for all basic/essential goods;
– allowing for input tax credits for businesses which will ensure it is applied only when a final product or service is provided to the consumer;
– eliminating PST from all insurance products sold in Saskatchewan; and
– implementing a 100% increase in the value of all container deposits.

To promote gender equality, the party further advocates:
– improving the province’s childcare system to align with the OECD’s benchmarks on childcare.

Health Care

The party advocates:
– exploring major incentives to recruit and retain medical personnel which will include training, retention, placement, and education benefits;
– partnering with federal government to further funding initiatives;
– creating a Health and Social Policy Council to advise cabinet on effective policy solutions; and
– a formal inquiry into government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health & Addictions

The party advocates:
– opening Mental Health Emergency Rooms in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw;
– funding an opioid and crystal meth strategy;
– investing in a suicide prevention strategy; and
– increasing addiction treatment support to enable Saskatchewan Health Authority and community-based organizations to hire more staff.

Elder Care

To support families and communities by taking care of seniors, the party advocates:
– investing substantially in homecare infrastructure;
– creating minimum care standards for seniors in long term care; and
– appointing a Seniors Advisor for the Province to represent and advocate for Seniors at the governmental level.

Education & Young Workers

Primary & Secondary Education

The party advocates:
– returning lost public funding;
– funding for creation of a universal Pre-K program;
– creation of permanent online options; and
– forging Indigenous partnerships to work towards agreements to ensure equal funding for quality education of all Indigenous communities.

Post-Secondary Education

The party advocates:
– expanding permanent online options;
– re-evaluating the need for the influx of administrative staff and other overhead expansion and establish budgetary overhead/academics ratios to create a balance of expenditures;
– updating and modernizing the student loans regime, the goal should be graduation and not profit;
– stabilizing tuition increases by legislating the increases cannot exceed yearly inflation;
– introducing a Student Housing Tax Credit to help them cope with rising housing costs, in addition to the education property tax renter’s rebate;
– increased funding for provincial Northern communities understanding that location should not be a detriment to quality education at the post-secondary level.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

The party advocates:
– bringing back the Film Tax Credit with the offering of a hybrid model of both transferable and partially refundable credits available;
– working with businesses and those in the industry, committing to major investments in such things as studios and permanent sound stages and other big-ticket items, allowing the province to become a central location for future TV and film opportunities that would go well beyond anything else in most of Canada;
– creating an interactive digital multimedia tax credit policy that is competitive with the global market as part of a plan to diversify the Saskatchewan economy to its full potential;
– attracting companies and educators to come to Saskatchewan in the interactive digital multimedia field;
– offering, for a period of four years, a direct tax rebate of 100% per year per person for all artists and the traveling support staff they employ (drivers, setup crew, etc.) for income earned at three performances per year;
– the rebate cap would apply to an additional three performances per year for artists’ income if the performance(s) are recorded and released as an audio “Live Album” within one year of the performance(s) with the venue or festival name included; and
– the rebate cap for artists who reside in Saskatchewan would be 20 performances per year.

Saskatchewan Party

Family, Community, and the Common Good

Support for Families

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– add 750 licensed home based childcare spaces.
– expand individualized funding for autism services to children under 12.
– restart the Active Families Benefit to make children’s sports and cultural activities more affordable.

Child Care

The party’s 2024-25 Provincial Budget provides $408.7 million for early learning and child care to support young families, including an increase of $21.1 million, or 5.9 per cent, to increase the number of regulated child care spaces available to families at $10 per day.

Health Care

Among its Guiding Principles the party lists:
– Steady, gradual reduction in government spending and taxation while maintaining a firm commitment to balanced budgets;
– A high-quality health care system for all Saskatchewan people, regardless of where they live within the province;
– A strong social safety net which protects those who truly need support while encouraging individuals to become self sufficient;

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– cover the cost of insulin pumps for everyone living with diabetes and the cost of Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems for children under 18.
– reduce surgical wait times to a three-month target.

In its 2024-2025 Budget, the party states that:
– health care remains a top priority, with a record investment of $7.6 billion. This is an increase of $583.5 million, or 8.3 per cent, from the previous year to help improve access to programs and services, invest in health care professionals and fund important capital projects as the province grows rapidly. Expenses related to health care primarily include the Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority, eHealth, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and 3sHealth.

Acute Care

The party states that:
– of the funding allocated to health care, $71.4 million focuses on increasing the capacity of the acute care system. This includes $30 million for the Saskatoon and Regina Capacity Pressures Action Plans, as well as nearly $10 million for the Regina Urgent Care Centre. Funding is also being directed to continuing to reduce the surgical waitlist, working to achieve a three-month wait time target years ahead of schedule.
– the budget invests in enhancing the capacity of emergency medical services (EMS) by supporting EMS and community paramedicine positions in various locations, including rural and northern communities. The 911 system will be modernized to accept texts, videos and photos.
– Medical imaging capacity also increases as a result of $5.1 million in operating funding. By increasing capacity, the waitlist for MRI and CT scans will decrease.
– to support timely and exceptional care for Saskatchewan women, the budget provides $3.5-million increase for breast cancer care and screening initiatives includes technology enhancements and new diagnostic imaging equipment, as well as the development of a Breast Health Centre of Excellence in Regina.
– cancer care being a budget priority also, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) is allocated an increase of $26.1 million, or 11.7 percent, for a record budget of nearly $248.9 million. This will allow the SCA to increase volumes and allow patients to access the most effective and leading-edge oncology drugs, therapies and treatment options.
– additional funding for acute care system capacity is directed towards intensive care units, cardio and neurosciences, kidney and organ donation, children’s care (including neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric units at Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital, as well as pediatric gastroenterology in Saskatoon) and rural and remote emergency room stabilization.

Primary & Community Care

The party states that:
– the current budget includes a $59.4-million increase for targeted initiatives to expand access to primary, community and seniors’ care across the province.
– to promote better health outcomes, a $16-million increase is allocated for primary and community care programs. These programs include extending a primary care pilot in Swift Current; further integrating nurse practitioners in support of physician clinics; enhancing HealthLine’s 811 services; increasing access to chronic pain clinics in Regina and Saskatoon; and
improving testing capacity and expanding access to testing for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections.
– $43.4 is allocated to million to stabilize services and programming for seniors, to help them live safely and comfortably in their communities. This includes a new funding model for third-party, long-term care facilities and alternate level of care beds that allow for care in settings other than hospitals.

Mental Health & Addictions

The party states that:
– its current budget allocates $574 million for mental health, including an increase of $34 million for targeted mental health and addictions initiatives, which include plans to achieve 500 new addictions spaces, wraparound supports for homelessness and 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces. Investments are focused on children and youth, addictions, vulnerable populations and other mental health initiatives.

Health Human Resources

The party states that to build upon the Health Human Resources Action Plan, its 2024-2025 budget allocates investments in recruiting, training and retaining health professionals throughout the province. To that end an agreement was reached with Saskatchewan physicians that supports efforts to recruit, train and retain physicians in the province while remaining competitive as one of the best places for physicians to live and work. In addition, the allocations include:
– an $11.6-million increase (total annual funding of $33.8 million) to stabilize rural and remote staffing, which supports 250 new and enhanced full-time permanent positions in nine high-priority classifications added in 54 rural and remote locations.
– $6.7-million increase (total annual funding of $8.7 million) for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive, to fund existing program recipients completing their first and second-year service agreements and extend the intake for this program.
– $1.5-million new investment for students enrolled in health care training programs located in other provinces where Saskatchewan has invested in specific training seats.
– $1.1-million increase (total annual funding of $1.5 million) to enhance clinical placement capacity within the SHA to support expansion of training seats.
– $1-million increase to the Rural Physician Incentive Program to support rural family physician recruitment and retention.
– $1 million in new funding to enhance resources for clinical leadership and support to nurses working in rural and northern locations.

Health Facilities

The party states that:
– to the availability of appropriate facilities to provide care to the people of Saskatchewan, its 2024-2025 budget allocates a record $516.8 million in health infrastructure such as new hospitals and health care centres. This is an increase of $179.3 million from the previous year and includes:
– $180 million for the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital redevelopment project;
– $55 million for the Weyburn General Hospital replacement project;
– $27 million for construction of the La Ronge long-term care project;
– $22 million to complete construction on the Regina General Hospital parkade; and
– $20 million for Regina’s long-term care specialized beds project.

Seniors & Elder Care

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– add 750 licensed home based childcare spaces.
– increase the Seniors Income Plan benefit for low income seniors from $270 to $360 per month.
– reduce seniors’ ambulance charges by 50% and eliminate charges for seniors for transfers between hospitals.
– hire 300 more continuing care aides to work in long-term care facilities and home care.

The party further states that:
– through its 2024-2025 budget, the Seniors Income Plan offers eligible seniors up to $360 per month, while the monthly income threshold for the Personal Care Home Benefit will increase by $100 to $2,500 to help make the cost of living in a licensed personal care home more affordable for seniors.
– other health care benefits for seniors in the 2024-25 Budget include funding for the Senior Citizens Ambulance Assistance Program, Seniors’ Drug Plan and Home Care services.

Education & Young Workers

Pre-K – 12 Education

The party states that:
– classroom funding is a priority, with record investments in the 2024-25 Provincial Budget. The Ministry of Education receives $3.3 billion in funding – an increase of $247.8 million over the previous year – to support Prekindergarten to Grade 12 schools, early learning, child care and libraries.
– its current budget specifically provides $356.6 million in supports directly for classrooms, including funding to address classroom size and complexity. This includes $4.9 million for the Teacher Innovation and Support Fund Pilot and Specialized Support Classrooms Pilot. These projects focus on developing initiatives that provide better student and teacher experiences, and helping staff manage and de-escalate behavioural incidents.
– the province’s 27 school divisions receive a record $2.2 billion in school operating funding for the 2024-25 school year, an increase of $180 million, or 8.8 per cent, compared to the previous year. This includes nearly $30 million to fund operational pressures, such as salaries for non-teaching positions, bus drivers and educational assistants.
– new schools and classrooms are also a priority in view of growth, with $216 million for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education capital, an increase of 41.8 per cent over the previous year.
– the budget includes $408.7 million for early learning and child care to support young families, including an increase of $21.1 million, or 5.9 per cent, to increase the number of regulated child care spaces available to families at $10 per day.
– community-based organizations, libraries and other education sector groups that provide early years outreach, life skills development and literacy programming will receive an increase of $1.3 million.
– beyond Prekindergarten to Grade 12, the 2024-25 Budget provides more than $4.4 billion for overall education in the province. This is an increase of $378.8 million, or 9.4 per cent, from the previous year.

Post-Secondary Education

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would increase the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship to $750 per year to make post-secondary education more affordable.

The party states that:
– investing is also a priority at the post-secondary level. The 2024-25 Budget provides $793.0 million for the Ministry of Advanced Education – an increase of $28.2 million, or 3.7 per cent, from 2023-24 – to enhance funding, expand health training programs and focus on key infrastructure projects. This includes a one-time, $12.0-million top-up to the province’s current multi-year funding agreement with post-secondary institutions, an increase of 2.2 per cent. The increased funding will allow the institutions to remain responsive to the needs of students and the labour market.
– an additional $15 million in new funding is provided to train additional health care workers through the Health Human Resources Action Plan. This includes an $11.4-million operating increase for the following training seats at full implementation:

Health Human Resources Action Plan: more than 610 new seats in various professions, with a focus on training for high demand and hard-to-recruit professions, such as registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, primary care paramedics and continuing care assistants;
Nursing Seat Expansion: 600 new seats in nursing professions, including registered nursing, nurse practitioner and registered psychiatric nursing; and
Undergraduate medical education: 32 new undergraduate medical education seats.

– in addition to existing disciplines, $3.6 million is provided this year for new opportunities for students to train in health sciences programs, including:

Physician Assistant: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 20 students annually, beginning in fall 2025;
Speech Language Pathology: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 40 students annually, beginning in 2026-27;
Occupational Therapy: a new two-year master’s program at the University of Saskatchewan will accept 40 students annually, beginning in 2026-27; and
Respiratory Therapy: a three-year diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic will accept 20 students annually, beginning in fall 2026.

– Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions receive nearly $725 million in operating and capital grants. This includes funding to help the Western College of Veterinary Medicine explore infrastructure expansion.
– Indigenous Teacher Education programs will continue to receive funding, supporting the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages in the province.
– to assist students pursuing post-secondary education, the budget includes $4.2 million in new funding to create a new provincial grant for low-income students with dependents under 12, or over 12 with a permanent disability. This new grant is part of $46.5 million for overall student supports in the 2024-25 Provincial Budget, which includes $34.4 million for the Student Aid Fund (repayable and non-repayable financial assistance to more than 22,000 students each year) and $12.2 million for scholarships and bursaries.
– to help post-secondary students remain in Saskatchewan while transitioning to their careers, the 2024-25 Budget continues to fund the Graduate Retention Program – the most generous support program of its kind in Canada. The program provides up to $20,000 in tax credits to post-secondary graduates who remain in the province to work. More than 81,600 students have benefited from the program, which provides approximately $65 million in support annually.

Support for Students

The party states that:
– Saskatchewan students will benefit directly from $46.5 million in financial supports, including a new grant for low-income students with dependents under age 12 (or over 12 with a permanent disability). This will help reduce financial barriers to completing their post-secondary education.
– its 2024 budget allocates $34.4 million for the Student Aid Fund, which provides repayable and non-repayable financial assistance to more than 22,000 students every year, and $12.2 million in scholarships and bursaries.
– its Graduate Retention Program provides up to $20,000 in tax credits to post-secondary graduates who live and work in Saskatchewan. More than 81,600 graduates have benefited from this program.

Culture, Arts & Tourism
Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– restart the Community Rink Affordability Grant, helping communities keep ice rink activities affordable in over 600 rinks across Saskatchewan.
– increase financial support for veterans service clubs like the Royal Canadian Legion.

The party further states that:
– people travel to Saskatchewan from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and experience world-class hunting and fishing.
– its 2024-25 Budget provides $15 million for capital and infrastructure improvements at provincial parks, in order to support the tourism industry by ensuring that visitors have a great experience. This includes a new service centre at Nut Point Campground in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, bike trail development and multi-use trail improvements at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, major road improvements and resurfacing at Pike Lake Provincial Park and water system upgrades at Narrow Hills Provincial Park and Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
– to ensure that people can easily travel to the province from international destinations, the budget also provides minimum revenue guarantees to support international flights between Saskatchewan and the United States. This year Regina announces a new direct flight to Minneapolis, backed by an annual minimum revenue guarantee of up to $500,000

Saskatchewan United Party

Role of the Family

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it recognizes that the family unit is the bedrock of society and that government must primarily account for the restoration, benefit and protection of the family unit to support its ability to thrive and prosper, while maximizing its right to self-determination in choosing the values preferred by each family unit to raise and teach its children.

Health Care & Elder Care

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it is committed to an effective health care system, which should include an emphasis on preventative care while maintaining robust treatment. We believe in a small and efficient health bureaucracy, a provincially sovereign system, privacy of health information, restoring the autonomy of the patient-doctor relationship and increasing health care providers to improve the administration of health, while proactively improving the wellbeing of residents to gradually reduce reliance on health care over time.
– it values the province’s youth and senior citizens by ensuring ethical education for children, while caring for senior citizens with support to the full extent possible.

The party further states that:
– Saskatchewan’s healthcare system is in a state of crisis. The wait times are out of control, emergency rooms are shutting down, and ambulances are unable to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. The people of Saskatchewan deserve better. They deserve a healthcare system that is efficient, effective, and accessible to all.
– it believes in the power of innovation, accountability, and individual choice. It is time for a bold and transformative approach to revamp our healthcare system.
– its vision for healthcare in Saskatchewan is rooted in these principles. It is committed to building a system that works for everyone.

To that end, the party advocates:
– recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, including use of a targeted recruitment strategy that focuses on attracting nurses and doctors from other parts of Canada through the use of:
* education incentives, similar to the Royal Military College (RMC) Officer Program, where new nurses and doctors can have their education paid for in exchange for a commitment to serve in Saskatchewan for a specified period.
* competitive retention bonuses for healthcare professionals who choose to stay and work in Saskatchewan, ensuring that the province not only attracts but also retains top talent.

– streamlining administration and reducing wasteful spending. A significant portion of the provincial healthcare budget is consumed by administrative costs and wasteful spending. These resources should be redirected to frontline care through:
* administrative efficiency, including conducting a thorough audit of the healthcare system to identify and eliminate redundant administrative processes and positions.
* reallocation of resources, including reallocation of funds from administrative overhead to direct patient care, ensuring that healthcare dollars are spent where they are needed most.

– investment in technology and innovation, including:
* expanded telehealth services for providing remote consultations, reducing the strain on emergency rooms and clinics.
* use of a comprehensive electronic health records system to improve coordination of care and reduce duplication of tests and procedures.

Culture, Arts & Tourism

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it values and recognizes the unique heritage of Saskatchewan and its traditions, including those of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
– it trusts the residents of Saskatchewan to live their lives in accordance with the richness of their traditions, cultures and belief systems, and set out to reduce the role and size of government in the everyday life of residents while recognizing that government should exist to maximize quality of life as a servant and not master of residents.

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: Family, Community & the Common Good

A conscience well formed by the social teachings of the Church will seriously consider the following questions:

Families & Child Well-Being

1) In what circumstances, if any, is it appropriate for governments to place limits on the right of parents to make decisions pertaining to the care or education of their children?

2) To what extent is child poverty a problem in Canada? To the extent that it is a problem, what should be done about it?

3) Some political parties have suggested that in order to maximize return from national and/or provincial economies, full participation by all eligible workforce members, including all parents – whether members of single- or two-parent families – is critical, so that economic well-being can be optimized. Moreover, they say, to achieve full economic participation it is critical to ensure that affordable child care is accessible by all families. Let us consider the following question: Which is more important for children: a stable and dignified home with loving parents, one of whom might be available to stay home part or full time, or maximized economic returns? To the extent that being home with a parent is best for a child, how can that be encouraged by society? Is it possible, for example, to ‘level the housing playing field’ for families having single parent providers?

Health Care

Given that the Church speaks of a right to adequate health care, consider the following questions that any informed Catholic should ponder before voting for a particular political party:

1) What should be done to ensure that adequate levels of quality health care are available to all who need it, without undue delays or waiting times?

2) While birth control pills are covered by provincial health care and at least one party has proposed coverage (including travel, if needed) for in-vitro fertilization, the costs of counseling for Natural Family Planning are not. Is it reasonable to provide drugs and expensive, invasive procedures to young couples free of charge, while requiring those who seek natural, non-chemical methods, to pay? Or, should the federal government consider providing coverage for proven natural family planning methods?

3) In a publicly-funded healthcare system, does there exist any obligation for an individual person to take reasonable measures to avoid health issues (e.g., wearing a mask during a pandemic, or a helmet while riding a bicycle), so as to avoid becoming a publicly-funded health care burden when preventable illness or injury occurs? If so, what can or should be done to encourage individuals to adopt such measures?

4) It is it wise for a country to ensure that it is self-dependent for important health care products, such as vaccines against serious illnesses? If so, what can or should the federal and provincial governments do to encourage and support such self-dependence?

Care for the Elderly

1. Some parties are calling for increased space in publicly-funded facilities for the elderly and long-term care patients. Should any other solutions, such as nurturing a culture of life-long intergenerational family cohesiveness and support, including home caregivers, be considered also, in addition or as alternatives to long-term residential care?

2. Who should be responsible for long-term support for the elderly? Themselves? Their families? The federal or provincial governments? Charitable institutions? Some combination of these? To what extent?

3. What, if anything, should be done to promote physical, spiritual, and emotional health among residents and staff in public and private homes and long-term care facilities? For example, are such facilities sometimes too large for proper inter-human connection, or sanitation? Is centralization of management of such facilities a concern? For example, can over-centralization affect the rates of infection or spread of viruses, etc.?

Education

1. It has been suggested that too many Canadians fail to understand basic democratic principles, such as the responsibilities of federal, provincial, and local governments, and the proper roles of non-governmental institutions such as charities, schools, businesses, news media, and moral and religious organizations. What, if anything, can or should the provincial government do in order to promote a more comprehensive understanding of civics in British Columbia?

2. Should a course of study of economics, at least one semester in length, be mandatory in high school?

3. To what extent should the study of history be mandatory in high schools? What aspects of history should be offered?

4. Should natural family planning (NFP) techniques be taught in high school?

Culture, Arts & Tourism

Pope Francis has spoken of “ideological” or “cultural” colonization, in the process of which the popular and dominant values of the powerful are imposed on local populations. When decisions are made by governments regarding the purpose of investments injected into arts and culture, who is being consulted? Whose voices are being listened to?

Church Teaching

“Therefor I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body,
what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”

– Matthew 6:25-33

Some people are born into economically stable families, receive a fine education, grow up well nourished, or naturally possess great talent. They will certainly not need a proactive state; they need only claim their freedom. Yet the same rule clearly does not apply to a disabled person, to someone born in dire poverty, to those lacking a good education and with little access to adequate health care. If a society is governed primarily by the criteria of market freedom and efficiency, there is no place for such persons, and fraternity will remain just another vague ideal. – Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti 109

The Dignity & Importance of Work

The use of one’s gifts to seek and serve God necessarily includes work, by which humans cooperate with God in God’s continuing act of creation. Work has a place of honour because it is a source of the conditions for a decent life, and is, in principle, an effective instrument against poverty. But one must not succumb to the temptation of making an idol of work, for the ultimate and definitive meaning of life is not to be found in work. Work is essential, but it is God — and not work — who is the origin of life and the final goal of man.
The underlying principle of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The demand of justice, which stems from it, precedes concerns for profit: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it” (Pr 15:16). “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Pr 16:8). Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 257.

Work is not only an essential part of life, but when we work in accordance with our inner passions – our individual vocations – it is a joy. And it is also an obligation to one’s family, neighbors, and nation. Man must work, both because the Creator has commanded it and in order to respond to the need to maintain and develop his own humanity. We are heirs of the work of generations and at the same time shapers of the future of all who will live after us. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 274

But work, and particularly dignified work, is not readily available for all who seek it. Those who are unemployed or underemployed suffer the profound negative consequences that such a situation creates in a personality and they run the risk of being marginalized within society, of becoming victims of social exclusion… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 289

Poverty Reduction

The poor, the marginalized and in all cases those whose living conditions interfere with their proper growth should be the focus of particular concern. To this end, the preferential option for the poor should be reaffirmed in all its force… Today, this love of preference for the poor, and the decisions which it inspires in us, cannot but embrace the immense multitudes of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without health care and, above all, those without hope of a better future.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 182

Catholics are called to remember Jesus’ own words: What we do to the least among us, we do to Him. Matthew 25:31-46

Helping the poor financially must always be a provisional solution in the face of pressing needs. The broader objective should always be to allow them a dignified life through work. – Pope Francis, Laudato si’ 128

An Economy to Serve All People

I encourage financial experts and political leaders to ponder the words of one of the sages of antiquity: ‘Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs…’ Money must serve, not rule! –Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel 57-58

The development of economic activity and growth in production are meant to provide for the needs of human beings. Economic life is not meant solely to multiply goods produced and increase profit or power; it is ordered first of all to the service of persons, of the whole man, and of the entire human community. For many people, a living wage and dignified housing are beyond reach. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2426

The planning capacity of a society oriented towards the common good and looking to the future is measured… above all on the basis of the employment prospects that it is able to offer. Maintaining employment depends more and more on one’s professional capabilities. Instructional and educational systems must not neglect human or technological formation, which are necessary for gainfully fulfilling one’s responsibilities.

Young people should be taught to act upon their own initiative, to accept the responsibility of facing with adequate competencies the risks connected with a fluid economic context that is often unpredictable in the way it evolves. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 271-290.

Small businesses, trades, and crafts

The decentralization of production, which assigns to smaller companies several tasks previously undertaken by larger production interests, gives vitality and new energy to the area of small and medium-sized businesses. In this way, alongside traditional artisans there emerge new businesses characterized by small production interests at work in modern production sectors or in decentralized activities of larger companies.

Work in small and medium-sized businesses, the work of artisans and independent work can represent an occasion to make the actual work experience more human, both in terms of the possibility of establishing positive personal relationships in smaller-sized communities and in terms of the opportunities for greater initiative and industriousness. In these sectors, however, there are more than just a few cases of unjust treatment, of poorly paid and, above all, uncertain work. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 315.

Industries, Innovation, & Agriculture

Thanks to technological innovations, the world is being enriched with new professions while others are disappearing. In the present phase of transition there is a continuous movement of workers from the industrial sector to that of services… In particular, there is an increase in…part-time, temporary and “non-traditional” employment… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 313.

Unions & Workers’ Rights

The demands of competition, technological innovation and the complexities of financial fluxes must be brought into harmony with the defense of workers and their rights. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 313.

Any form of materialism or economic tenet that tries to reduce the worker to a mere instrument of production, a simple labour force with an exclusively material value, would hopelessly distort the essence of work and strip it of its most noble and basic human quality. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 270-271

Among the rights of workers, the Church recognizes (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 301):

– the right to a just wage;
– the right to rest;
– the right to a working environment and to manufacturing processes which are not harmful to the workers’ physical health or to their moral integrity;
– the right that one’s personality in the workplace should be safeguarded “without suffering any affront to one’s conscience or personal dignity;
– the right to appropriate subsidies that are necessary for the subsistence of unemployed workers and their families;
– the right to a pension and to insurance for old age, sickness, and in case of work-related accidents;
– the right to social security connected with maternity;
– the right to assemble and form associations.

The Church recognizes the fundamental role played by labour unions… Such organizations, while pursuing their specific purpose with regard to the common good, are a positive influence for social order and solidarity, and are therefore an indispensable element of social life. Work, because of its subjective or personal character, is superior to every other factor connected with productivity; this principle applies, in particular, with regard to capital.

The Church’s social doctrine teaches that relations within the world of work must be marked by cooperation: hatred and attempts to eliminate the other are completely unacceptable. This is also the case because in every social system both “labour” and “capital” represent indispensable components of the process of production.

No Christian, in light of the fact that he belongs to a united and fraternal community, should feel that he has the right not to work and to live at the expense of others (cf. 2 Thes 3:6-12). Rather, all are charged… to make it a point of honour to work with their own hands, so as to be dependent on nobody (1 Thes 4:12), and to practice a solidarity which is also material by sharing the fruits of their labour with “those in need” (Eph 4:28). Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 264, 305-307.

Corporations & Competition, and Consumers

You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
– the 10th Commandment

The individual profit of an economic enterprise, although legitimate, must never become the sole objective. Social utility is an objective of even higher order. When the free market carries out the important functions mentioned above it becomes a service to the common good and to integral human development. When focused on profit alone, however, the market can degenerate into an inhuman and alienating institution, with uncontrollable repercussions.

Freedom in the economic sector… must be regulated by appropriate legal norms so that it will be placed at the service of integral human freedom… A great deal of educational and cultural work is urgently needed, including the education of consumers in the responsible use of their power of choice, the formation of a strong sense of responsibility among producers and among people in the mass media in particular, as well as necessary intervention by public authorities. In order to balance the principle of solidarity with the rights and obligations of the individual, the State’s intervention in the economic environment must be neither invasive nor absent, but commensurate with society’s real needs. “The State has a duty to sustain business activities by creating conditions which will ensure job opportunities, by stimulating those activities where they are lacking or by supporting them in moments of crisis. The State has the further right to intervene when particular monopolies create delays or obstacles to development. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 305-307, 351, 376.

There is a growing loss of the sense of history, which leads to even further breakup. A kind of “deconstructionism”, whereby human freedom claims to create everything starting from zero, is making headway in today’s culture. The one thing it leaves in its wake is the drive to limitless consumption and expressions of empty individualism. – Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 12

Transportation & Infrastructure

The demands of the common good… are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights. Among other things, these demands concern commitment to the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 166

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

An Economy at the Service of All People

As a matter of principle under its constitution, the party states that is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with economic freedom in a market economy which encourages the creation of wealth through free enterprise, and protection of the right to own, enjoy and exchange property.

The party advocates:
– promoting programs to provide essential services back to small rural communities, thereby creating jobs and fostering future growth within the healthier environment that small communities offer
– pursuing cooperation with Alberta and Manitoba, to enhance the utilization of the Port of Churchill for the benefit of all three provinces
– strengthening strengthen trade relations with the bordering U.S. states of North Dakota and Montana
– using every reasonable means to negotiate a better deal for Saskatchewan or possibly terminate Saskatchewan’s participation in the federal transfer payments program
– exploring ways to support the three power plants between Estevan and Coronach (Shand, Boundary Dam, Poplar River), associated coal mines, and coal communities, including potential new coal export markets, value-added processes for coal by-products, and the further development of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology
– a comprehensive review of Crown Corporations, including their processes for determining rates for businesses and individuals, to identify ways of improving or restructuring them, and including issue each citizen of Saskatchewan over the age of 18 one voting share in each Crown Corporation, to entitle the shareholder to dividends, an equal voice, and an equal vote at shareholder meetings, including elections for the Crown Corporations’ Board of Directors
– a comprehensive review of government red tape shall be undertaken with the goal of making Saskatchewan the best province in Canada to open and operate a business, invest in new industries, and hire Saskatchewan workers
– giving preference in provincial contracting to Saskatchewan companies first, followed by other western provincial companies for all provincial projects, and ensuring that Saskatchewan shall not work with questionable companies, by exiting the New West Partnership and implementing a “Saskatchewan First” policy
– seeking provincial control over trade in Saskatchewan resources, enabling trade with American neighbors without federal intervention, and working with provincial neighbors for safe access to tidewater, opening more markets to Saskatchewan’s products.

Housing & Poverty Reduction

The party advocates:
– focusing government on measurable strategies to alleviate the true suffering of the impoverished and downtrodden, rather than promoting income equality. This approach will involve honest discussions and evidence-based measures to address poverty.
– legislation requiring residential landlords to repair and maintain essential services, such as shelter, water, and heat, within a reasonable timeframe. In cases where repairs cannot be completed promptly, landlords must provide alternative accommodations until the necessary repairs are finished.
– legislation to provide necessary supports for tenants receiving social assistance, ensuring their housing needs are adequately met.
– direct rent payment and landlord protection, including a system to pay rent directly to landlords for tenants on social assistance, and exploring measures to protect landlords from liability for unpaid utilities incurred by tenants.
– to ensure that seniors have access to necessary healthcare services, establishing a voucher system to facilitate travel for seniors from rural areas to urban centers for medical testing.
– exploration and implementation of measures to provide safe and affordable transportation options for seniors throughout the province.

Labour Unions, Employment

The party advocates:
– ensuring that businesses receive the same subsidies for employing local workers as they do for hiring temporary foreign workers, in order to promote fair employment practices and support the local workforce.

Industries & Corporations

Agriculture
The party advocates:
– a Small Farms Initiative, to provide education to individuals and families on achieving greater food self-reliance
– an exemption from capital gains tax for sales of farmland to Saskatchewan residents or family members returning to Saskatchewan
– ending the grant of foreign ownership exemptions under the Farm Securities Act, 1984, for land intended for primary agricultural production. Existing foreign ownership exemptions would remain valid; however, no modifications, renewals, or transfers would be permitted for land used for primary agricultural production. The farmland ownership rules as set forth in the Farm Securities Act would be strictly enforced
– establishing a Saskatchewan Food Inspection Agency to replace the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), supporting a comprehensive “farm to fork” policy
– reduction of regulatory barriers associated with the “farm to fork” process in Saskatchewan
– introduction of legislation to reduce corporate income taxes for startup agri-food value-added processing businesses in Saskatchewan
– removal of all barriers that hinder the production of hemp products in Saskatchewan, including farm operations
– new legislation to tax and regulate the ownership of mega-farmland (over 100,000 acres) similarly to how royalties and oversight are applied to the mining industry
– removal of mandatory French labeling requirements on food packaging, and reduction of other restrictive regulations to facilitate the import of food products not produced in Saskatchewan from global sources

Green Party of Saskatchewan

An Economy at the Service of All People

The party:
– asserts that the key to social justice is the equitable distribution of social and natural resources, both locally and globally, to meet basic human needs unconditionally, and to ensure that all citizens have full opportunities for personal and social development.
– declares that there is no social justice without environmental justice, and no environmental justice without social justice.

The party advocates:
– a just organization of the world and a stable world economy which will close the widening gap between rich and poor, both within and between countries
– balancing flow of resources from South to North
– lifting the burden of debt on poor countries which prevents their development
– the eradication of poverty, as an ethical, social, economic, and ecological imperative
– the elimination of illiteracy
– a new vision of citizenship built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, race, age, religion, class, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health

Community based economics

The party states that:
– it recognizes that it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance.
– a successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a living wage which reflects the real value of a person’s work.
– local communities must develop an economy that assures protection of the environment and worker’s rights, broad citizen participation in planning, and enhancement of our quality of life.
– it supports cooperatives and public enterprises that distribute resources and control to more people through democratic participation.

Culture of Cooperation and Mutual Aid

The party states that:
– it believes in the concept of a cooperative rather than competitive human society.
– while both of these elements exist in Nature (including human nature), our industrial society has placed far too much emphasis on competition.
– a change in outlook away from competition and towards cooperation and mutual aid must take place both at the personal, social and global levels.

Housing & Poverty Reduction

Basic Income

The party states that:
– the rising costs of living and housing as an urgent issue that is causing mounting social and economic costs. The cost of living has Saskatchewan residents struggling to pay rent, feed their families or escape abusive relationships. This leaves voters faced with increased risks of health challenges, homelessness, addiction, productivity and job loss, criminal activity and violence.
– it proposes decisive action to put in place wholistic solutions to these problems.
– a Basic Income Guarantee would reflect Saskatchewan people’s shared value system in which we all deserve the dignity of being housed and fed. It advocates building a system that fosters a culture of helping people in need rather than erecting barriers.
– it commits to ending homelessness.

The party advocates:
– to end welfare in Saskatchewan, the social safety net of a Basic Income Guarantee that is income contingent, incorporates incentives to work, and serves as a well-designed, efficient, response to the climate emergency, emerging infectious diseases, and the threat of AI causing rapid and unpredictable disruptions in our economies.
– Housing First!

Labour Unions & Employment

The party states that:
– inevitably, jobs in fossil fuel sectors will disappear.
– it is committed to a fair and caring transition of workers from these sectors into new one, including measures such as income protection, job guarantees, retraining and resettlement; details of the programs to be developed in partnership with workers and their unions.
– in implementing a just transition framework for oil, gas and coal sector workers that reflects the unique conditions of each community, it advocates an approach modeled on the recommendations of the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities, which it would implement in full.

Just transition would include:
– meeting directly with affected communities to learn about their local priorities, and to connect them with federal programs that could support their goals.
– establishing a dedicated, comprehensive, inclusive and flexible just transition funding program for affected communities.
– developing and implementing a plan for workers in fossil fuel sectors, championed by a lead minister who oversees and reports on progress.
– integrating transition provisions into provincial environmental and labour legislation and regulations, as well as relevant inter-governmental agreements.
– establishing a targeted, long-term research fund for studying the impact of the sector phase-out and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
– ensuring locally available support, including funding the establishment and operation of locally-driven transition centres in affected communities.
– identifying and funding local infrastructure projects in affected communities.
– establishing pathways to retirement by creating a pension bridging program for workers who will retire earlier than planned due to the phase-out.
– creating a detailed and publicly available jobs inventory with labour market information pertaining to oil, coal and gas workers, such as skills profiles, demographics, locations, and current and potential employers.
– creating a comprehensive funding program for workers staying in the labour market to address their needs across the stages of securing a new job, including income support, education and skills building, re-employment, and mobility.
– investing in comprehensive retraining and apprenticeship programs for industrial trades workers for jobs in the transition to a zero-carbon economy, especially the renewable and energy efficiency sectors.

Industries & Corporations, Competition & Consumers

The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Corporations, Competition, and Consumers

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

An Economy at the Service of All People

The party states that:
– the heart of its economic agenda is putting local workers and local businesses first.
– over more than a decade, the current government has handed every one of the biggest public projects to a company from outside of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan workers and companies should come first, along with building on the strength of the province’s Crown Corporations.
– every dollar spent by the province should benefit the local economy as much as possible.
– its top priorities are introducing a Sask-First Procurement Policy and bringing the minimum wage up to $15/hour in a first term in office.

To that end, the party advocates:
– removing PST from construction labour, putting more than $200 million back into the economy every year.
– introducing a Rural Reconnect program to provide high-quality Internet and cellular service everywhere in Saskatchewan.
– lowering Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) rates by roughly $85 per vehicle and providing an immediate $100 rebate to all policy-holders – which the Sask. Party refuses to do even though SGI cannot legally hold onto surplus funds.
– building a new Saskatchewan Transportation Company that meets the needs of today’s families and businesses.
– restoring balance to Saskatchewan’s labour legislation so that workers can join unions, have safe workplaces and get fair contracts from employers.
– enacting pay equity legislation.
– working with small businesses and industry representatives on a province-wide Buy Saskatchewan campaign.
– instituting a job creators’ plan to support local small businesses as they adapt to the vital and necessary $15/hour minimum wage.
– reinstating startup loans for rural small businesses.
– introducing a film employment tax credit to bring the film industry back to Saskatchewan.
– working with the tech sector to make Saskatchewan more competitive with other jurisdictions.
– reducing the craft beer levy to help our producers compete across the country.
– lowering crop insurance rates for new farmers to help them get started and provide $20 million per year to increase AgriStability reference margins.
– improving the recognition of foreign credentials to allow more of our newest Canadians to fully participate in the economy.
– investing $10 million to help workers train and retrain to stay competitive in a changing world of work.
– creating a new internship program to help young people get their first good job working for the provincial government and with our Crowns.

The party states that:
– it is concerned about the state of crumbling schools and hospitals across the province, and lack of action by recent governments.
– rather than solving basic infrastructure problems, the current government has chosen to focus on projects like the Regina Bypass and the GTH, and they have sent contracts out of province rather than creating jobs for Saskatchewan workers.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

Transportation & Infrastructure

The party advocates:
– implementing a Sask-First procurement policy to ensure that Saskatchewan workers and companies build Saskatchewan schools, hospitals and roads.
– ending the preference of recent governments for mega-schools and focusing instead on ensuring neighbourhoods have small local schools that meet their needs.
– ending the use of expensive P3s that cost much more in the long run and shut out Saskatchewan companies.
– committing to fulfilling the government’s ten-year SaskBuilds capital plan, reprioritizing to the most needed projects.
– building a new bridge for Prince Albert and a new hospital, rather than renovating as the current government has promised.
– building a new high school in southeast Regina.
– delivering on the decade-old promise of an all-season road to Wollaston Lake.
– building a new public surgical centre in Regina.
– increasing SaskTel’s investment in highspeed and wireless infrastructure to ensure rural communities have high-quality broadband and cellular service.
– bringing back the Community Rink Grant program to help keep community rinks in rural communities and First Nations open.
– clearing the $5 billion backlog on upkeep for schools and hospitals, starting by increased spending on deferred maintenance in healthcare and education infrastructure by 50 percent.

Saskatchewan Progress Party

An Economy at the Service of All

To build a strong and diversified economy, the party advocates:
– recognizing the advantages of our unique provincial landscape, and promoting solar panels and wind farms;
– implementing incentives to reduce emissions through programs like the Feed-In Tariff System;
– partnering with the province of Manitoba to create a hydro power grid;
– partnering with Indigenous communities, to allow for local sustainable activities to thrive and be part of the solution;
– investing in research and development at Saskatchewan’s universities on clean energy;
– creating economic opportunities for canola producers wishing to enter the canola-based bio-diesel market; and
– working with the private sector to provide electrical charging stations for vehicles at intervals of 100 kilometers on all major highways in the province
– pursuing development of a nuclear power generation and/or enrichment facility in coordination with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Nuclear Waste Management Organization
– bringing back the Film Tax Credit with the offering of a hybrid model of both transferable and partially refundable credits available;
– working with businesses and those in the industry, committing to major investments in such things as studios and permanent sound stages and other big-ticket items, allowing the province to become a central location for future TV and film opportunities that would go well beyond anything else in most of Canada;
– creating an interactive digital multimedia tax credit policy that is competitive with the global market as part of a plan to diversify the Saskatchewan economy to its full potential;
– attracting companies and educators to come to Saskatchewan in the interactive digital multimedia field;
– offering, for a period of four years, a direct tax rebate of 100% per year per person for all artists and the traveling support staff they employ (drivers, setup crew, etc.) for income earned at three performances per year;
– the rebate cap would apply to an additional three performances per year for artists’ income if the performance(s) are recorded and released as an audio “Live Album” within one year of the performance(s) with the venue or festival name included; and
– the rebate cap for artists who reside in Saskatchewan would be 20 performances per year.

Housing & Poverty Reduction

To support families and communities, the party advocates:
– increasing the Saskatchewan Basic Personal Amount an individual can earn before starting to pay income from $16,065 to a number commensurate with a current full time minimum wage position in the province;
– increasing the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit (SLITC) to double its current amount;
– eliminating the Education portion of property tax;
– implementing PST exemptions for all basic/essential goods;
– allowing for input tax credits for businesses which will ensure it is applied only when a final product or service is provided to the consumer; and
– eliminating PST from all insurance products sold in Saskatchewan.

Affordable Housing

The party advocates:
– expanding existing support for assisted home ownership programs which achieve the goal of home ownership and increase the set of life skills in maintaining a home;
– creating a roundtable on sustainable communities, bringing together the policy and resources of the three levels of government, the business community, NGO’s, not-for-profit groups, and co-operatives to develop a strategy to provide affordable housing in Saskatchewan communities;
– working in partnership with aboriginal leadership and communities and with the federal government to invest in affordable housing for our growing urban Aboriginal population; and
– developing tax incentives to encourage private sector, organizations, and individual involvement in affordable housing initiatives.

Social Assistance

The party further advocates:
– redesigning Social Assistance rom the ground up writing a new, simpler Act;
– scrapping Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and replacing it with a more effective benefit package;
– reinstating the Rental Supplement including:

a) all Social Assistance clients will receive the Rental Supplement;
b) the Rental Supplement will subsidize rents to the cost of the average rent in Saskatchewan;
c) any resident who pays more than 40% of gross income towards rent will qualify; clients will be subsidized from 40% of income up to average rent or actual, whichever is less

– indexing Social Assistance rates to inflation;
– paying the actual cost of utilities for Social Assistance clients directly;
– providing Social Assistance clients with enough assistance that they are no longer having to sacrifice food or rent;
– simplifying rules for Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) whereby any client with a disability, who needs any type of assistance and whose quality of life is affected by the disability, qualifies for SAID. This includes ensuring SAID applications no longer assume that a permanent disability has suddenly, miraculously been healed.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

The party advocates:
– creating a Minister of Science and Technology and a Science Secretariat to support the Minister and their office. The addition of Minister of Science to a cabinet need not be expensive as it would require only a small support staff. Members of a ten-member Science Secretariat would serve on a volunteer basis.

Saskatchewan Party

An Economy at the Service of All People

The party states that:
– a strong economy means a bright future for the province and its people. It allows the province to invest in areas that are priorities for the people of Saskatchewan, such as classrooms, care and communities. This is why it’s so important to focus on growing the provincial economy.

Among its Guiding Principles the party lists:
– Economic growth and job creation through the private sector, not government, as the engine of the economy;
– Smaller, less intrusive, more efficient government;
– Steady, gradual reduction in government spending and taxation while maintaining a firm commitment to balanced budgets;
– A strong social safety net which protects those who truly need support while encouraging individuals to become self sufficient;
– The constant improvement of Saskatchewan’s economic and social conditions within a strong and united Canada.

Housing & Poverty Reduction

Housing

The party states that:
– affordability for Saskatchewan families remains a top priority in the 2024-25 Provincial Budget. It continues to introduce and enhance programs to make life more affordable
for residents of the province.
– the province has among the lowest personal taxes in the country. Since 2007, Personal Income Tax (PIT) exemptions have removed more than 112,000 residents from the income tax roll. In total, PIT reductions during that time are providing over $830 million in annual income tax savings to Saskatchewan people. Annual indexation of the PIT brackets helps ensure that tax savings are not reduced by inflation.
– a Saskatchewan family of four with $100,000 in total income pays $2,627 less in combined provincial income and sales tax in 2024, compared to 2007. A family of four pays no Provincial Income Tax on their first $59,475 of combined income. This is the highest tax-free threshold in Canada – and more than twice as much as in 2007.
– a family with two adults, two dependent children, owning their own home with annual family income of $75,000, $100,000 and $125,000 have the lowest totals paid for taxes, utilities and housing in Canada.
– a single person living in rental accommodation, with an annual income of $40,000, ranks third in the country in affordability.
– in the 2024-25 Budget, Saskatchewan families will benefit from programs and services designed to make life affordable, including the Active Families Benefit, Children’s Drug Plan and $10/day child care for children under the age of six, as well as programs to help fund insulin pumps and glucose monitors.
– the budget also contains a $4-million increase to continue to meet the needs of children and their families through the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding Program.

Homeowner Assistance
The party further states that for families or individuals looking to put down more permanent roots in their communities:
– the 2024-25 Budget is funding the PST Rebate on New Home Construction Program, which is helping make new home ownership more affordable. The Saskatchewan First-Time Homebuyers’ Tax Credit provides a non-refundable income tax credit of up to $1,050 to eligible taxpayers on qualified homes. Saskatchewan also has the second-lowest land transfer tax/registration fees paid by the buyer of a property.
– homeowners can benefit from the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive (SSI) Grant Program, which was developed to increase housing and rental availability in the province.
– homeowners will continue to receive additional relief this year as a result of the government’s direction to stop SaskEnergy and SaskPower from collecting the carbon tax on natural gas and electric residential home heating. This is in addition to a SaskEnergy rate decrease that lowered bills for the average residential customer by nearly eight per cent beginning in October 2023.

Income Assistance
The party states that in order to help low-income individuals and families meet their basic needs as they work to become more self-sufficient, its 2024-25 budget includes:
– funding of $7.4 million to increase Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) Basic Shelter Benefits by three per cent, an increase of up to $60 per household per month.
– allocations to increase the Alternate Heating Benefit by $30 per month.
– 46.3 million to increase the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) monthly Living Income Benefits by three per cent, representing a monthly increase of up to $55 per household.
– allocations for the Income Assistance Mobile Workforce, to place up to 10 more ministry employees on-site at select community-based organizations to support clients, and provide approximately 150 more clients with trusteeship and money management services to help them pay their rent and other bills each month.
– to improve support for at-risk families, children and youth, allocation of an additional $2.7 million to support additional residential care options for children and youth with complex behavioural needs, $500,000 in new funding to increase supports for youth transitioning from care and a $375,000 increase to bring intensive in-home support programs to communities where they do not currently exist.
– increased funding for the Ministry of Social Services for partners in providing care, including the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network and Mobile Crisis Services in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
– a $600,000 increase to foster care and extended family care allowance rates to help cover the costs of caring for a child.
– for implementation of the Provincial Approach to Homelessness, an increase of $16.7 million including a $7.2-million increase to support ongoing emergency shelter operations across the province and $9.5 million to develop supportive housing spaces in Regina and Saskatoon.
– to enable the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to continue to provide affordable rental options to people and families in 280 communities across the province, an investment of $83.4 million for repair and maintenance of provincially owned housing units. This includes an additional $9.6 million in provincial funding to prevent and reduce vacancies and respond to the increasing demand for social housing.
– allocations to provide additional supports for residents with low and modest incomes, including the Low-Income Tax Credit, and support from the Saskatchewan Housing
Benefit which helps eligible renters with their shelter costs, including rent and utilities.

Labour, Unions & Employment

Work Force Training
The party states that:
– to help meet current and future labour market needs as the province grows, the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training receives $160.5 million in the 2024-25 Provincial Budget. This includes continued support for skills training programs and services for unemployed or underemployed persons, such as adult essential skills training, pre-employment programs and services, credentialled skills training programs delivered through post-secondary institutions and employment for persons with disabilities.
– the budget also includes an increase of $1.5 million for the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship Trade Certification Commission to add 250 additional seats for constructed-related trades, including electrician, plumbing and welding. This increases the investment in apprenticeship training to $22.9 million and expands the number of training seats to 4,700.
– to support the Health Human Resources Action Plan, the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training will invest in training and settlement supports for in-demand health professions. This includes training seats for continuing care aides, licensed practical nurses and medical lab assistants.
– the ministry’s budget also includes $856,000 to support record nominations through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, which will help address the labour needs of Saskatchewan employers. Safeguards are being added to the program to enhance fraud detection and protect its integrity. Additionally, the Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Office will continue to help individuals with foreign credentials or those who are licensed in other provinces navigate the licensure pathways with their respective regulators. This is another effort to ensure the province has a skilled workforce and trained professionals in place to support the growing economy.

Industries & Corporations

Small Businesses
The party states that:
– its 2020-2025 budget maintains the current small business tax rate of one per cent until returning it to two percent in July 2025. This is to help owners deal with the challenges they’re facing.
– the amount of eligible business income on which the small business tax rate applies will remain at $600,000 – the highest threshold in Canada.

Transportation
The party proposes:
– allocation of $29.5 million to support municipalities and industry partners in making strategic investments in the provincial transportation system, including support for economic growth and safety on rural municipal roads, including maintaining corridors for heavy trucks; construction and maintenance partnerships with urban municipalities; and truck route agreements and other municipal partnerships.
– unspecified additional funding from this year’s budget to support community airport improvements and help shortline railways maintain and upgrade their networks.

Infrastructure
The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget delivers the largest total capital budget in Saskatchewan history, the largest Crown corporation capital budget in Saskatchewan history and the largest Executive Government capital budget in Saskatchewan history.
– since 2008-09, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than $47.2 billion in infrastructure projects that provide essential services for the province

With respect to schools, the party states that:
– the Government of Saskatchewan has committed approximately $2.6 billion toward school capital since 2008-09. This includes 65 new schools, 32 major renovation projects and seven projects approved through the Minor Capital Renewal Program.
– its 2024-2025 budget allocates $216.0 million in education capital to provide safe and inclusive learning environments for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools, including $165.9 million to support 11 ongoing new or consolidated school projects and three major renovations in Balgonie, Carlyle, Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Lanigan, La Loche and Wilcox.
– a further $8.8 million supports the planning for nine new schools and two renovations in Pinehouse, Regina, Saskatoon, Corman Park and Swift Current.
– to help schools faced with growing enrolment, the budget increases spaces for students by investing $28.5 million in relocatable classrooms.
– for post-secondary schools, the 2024-25 Budget invests $59 million in infrastructure at provincial institutions, including three new health care training programs at the University of Saskatchewan; further health training seat expansion; design and planning work for Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new Saskatoon campus; and other maintenance and upgrade.

Exports
The party states that:
– an essential part of growing the provincial economy is expanding its markets and exports outside of Canada. This ultimately leads to more jobs at home and allows the province to invest in classrooms, care and communities. It is also part of Saskatchewan’s reality as an export-based province.
– its 2024-2025 budget allocates $40.6 million for the Ministry of Trade and Export Development
– a major portion of that allocation will enable the Ministry to grow and maintain private capital investment in the province.
– equally important will be the recently announced labour market strategy – Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy – which outlines how the people of Saskatchewan will benefit from the jobs the provincial economy is creating. The strategy also ensures that Saskatchewan employers have cess to the workforce needed to succeed.

Attracting Private Investment
The party states that:
– in February 2024, Statistics Canada announced that total capital investments in Saskatchewan increased by 25.9 per cent in 2023 to $17.1 billion – second among provinces in terms of percentage change. This is expected to increase by another 14.4 per cent in 2024 to $19.6 billion – again second among provinces in terms of growth.
– it proposes to allocate more than $255 million in targeted funding for First Nation and Métis people and organizations, an increase of $6.1 million over the previous year.
– private companies have committed to more than 60 large-scale investment projects across the province in recent years – totaling more than $39 billion. These include projects in the agri-value, manufacturing and processing, mining, forestry and energy sectors.

Forestry
The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget provides funding to accelerate work on the Forest Resource Inventory Project, helping to achieve the Growth Plan goal of doubling Saskatchewan’s forestry industry.

Energy & Resources
The party states that:
– the Ministry of Energy and Resources and its $53.8-million budget will support the province’s growing economy with a focus on Saskatchewan’s world-class natural resources.
– including in the ministry’s 2024-2025 budget is $10 million in funding over 10 years for the Public Geoscience Initiative, which will increase exploration to drive the province’s Critical Minerals Strategy.
– the budget also provides funding for enhancements to help ensure the permitting process for the exploration of natural resources is efficient and effective. For example, in recognition of the important role of critical minerals, the 2024-25 Budget introduces the Saskatchewan Critical Mineral Innovation Incentive for new pilot projects and the complementary Critical Mineral Processing Investment Incentive for new or expanded value-added processing projects.

Innovations & Clean Energy

In its 2024-25 budget, the party states that:
– it has extended the Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive program by one year to allow for a program review, which will include engaging with industry.
– for the Saskatchewan Technology Start-Up Incentive, it has doubled the annual program cap on the amount of non-refundable tax credits that may be issued to $7 million annually; expands eligibility to start-ups in the cleantech and all agtech sectors; and extends the program by one year.
– a new Multi-lateral Well Program for facilitating development of previously inaccessible or uneconomic oil plays and attract increased oil well drilling to Saskatchewan
– the budget further provides a $140-million Clean Electricity Transition Grant (CETG) to SaskPower for use towards in-year clean electricity operating costs, to help maintain affordable power rates for customers.
– it established the Small Modular Reactor Investment Fund to support the future development of the province’s first small modular nuclear reactor, which will provide zero-emission baseload power. The fund will receive annual allocations tied to electricity sector revenues, with all investment income earned retained in the fund. By the close of the 2024-25 fiscal year, it is projected the fund will be a $568.4-million asset for the province.

Agriculture
The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget invests $570.6 million in agriculture, an increase of $22.4 million, or 4.1 per cent, from the previous year. This funding will allow the Ministry of Agriculture to fund agricultural research and enhancements to crop insurance, while investing in programming for producers and agri-businesses.
– in recognition of the challenging weather and soil conditions faced by some producers, the ministry’s budget provides $431.7 million to fund federal-provincial risk management programs, including Crop Insurance and Agri Stability. This is an increase of $23.7 million from the previous year.
– the budget changes the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s weather-based programs, which will now provide options to insure intercrops and additional mixed feed crops.
– the 2024-25 Budget provides $89.4 million for strategic initiatives under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, including Irrigation Development and Irrigation
Efficiency programs that will help develop new irrigated acres and support improved energy and water efficiency of existing systems. More than 55,000 new irrigated acres have been developed in Saskatchewan over the last four years, positioning the province well in meeting the Growth Plan goal of 85,000 acres.
– an additional investment of $38 million will help support research in the agriculture sector, including Saskatchewan institutions that conduct state-of-the-art research.
– to assist producers dealing with the effects of consecutive years of drought conditions, the 2024-25 Budget freezes Crown land grazing rates at 2022 levels. Producers who must reduce their stocking rates on Crown land due to the dry conditions will also be eligible for a lease discount.

Saskatchewan United Party

An Economy at the Service of All People

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it recognizes the indispensible right to private property for all residents and opposes incursion of such rights by federal or international interests.
– it recognizes the importance of economic growth and job creation and the significance of vital industries to Saskatchewan’s economy and is committed to supporting the success of such industries in pursuit of putting Saskatchewan first.
– it recognizes the role of the employer-employee relationship without intrusive government involvement, while protecting the rights of the worker without overreach into the operations of the employer.
– it is committed to balanced budgets, while responsibly addressing inherited deficits by systemically reducing unnecessary programs and bureaucracy.
– it is committed to favour tax reductions, while reducing the size of government.
– it recognizes the value and benefit of technological advancements, while at the same time sets out to responsibly examine ethical and health implications in a manner which ensures the safety and wellbeing of provincial residents.

The party further states that:
– Saskatchewan is blessed with abundant natural resources that are the bedrock of its economy and the key to its future prosperity. From God-given carbon based fuels like natural gas, oil, and coal, to the globally demanded potash, Saskatchewan has the tools to build a thriving, self-sufficient, and market-driven province.
– it is time to harness these resources to create a stable, low-cost energy grid that not only meets provincial needs but also attracts industry and manufacturing to Saskatchewan.

To that end:
– the party advocates full utilization of these blessings to power the province, making Saskatchewan synonymous with low-cost energy and high productivity. By focusing the province’s strengths and ensuring that its resources are used wisely and effectively, it is possible to build a province that is both productive and prosperous – where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.
– specifically the party advocates:

With respect to gas, oil, and coal,
– prioritizing the development and extraction of natural gas, oil and coal to ensure a stable, reliable energy supply.
– leveraging the province’s fuel resources to provide low-cost energy to attract industry and manufacturing, making Saskatchewan a hub of economic activity and job creation. The party undertakes to move Saskatchewan away from the government’s current net-zero plan to shut down natural gas and coal energy plants and instead reinvest in them.

With respect to an energy grid,
– building a robust and stable grid, including investment in infrastructure necessary to ensure that businesses and households have reliable access to power.
– focusing on energy security by reducing reliance on high-cost, less effective renewables like solar and wind power, which cannot provide the consistency and reliability demanded by the economy. Putting the province’s trust in tried and true Saskatchewan coal and natural gas.

With respect to potash and other resources,
– unleashing Saskatchewan’s resource sector, especially potash , which is a cornerstone of the provincial economy.
– capitalizing on the high global prices and ensuring that the benefits of our resources stay within Saskatchewan.
– recognizing rarity and global demand for Saskatchewan potash, ensuring that it is priced accordingly, reflecting its true value, and ensuring that Saskatchewan reaps the economic benefits.
– ensuring that the wealth generated from potash and other resources benefits the province first and foremost, rather than being siphoned off to global markets.
– ensuring that companies investing in production need to pay their fair share. No special breaks should be given; instead, we must ensure that they contribute to the local economy and community.

Labour Unions, Employment

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it recognizes the role of the employer-employee relationship without intrusive government involvement, while protecting the rights of the worker without overreach into the operations of the employer.

Corporations, Competition & Consumers

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it recognizes the importance of economic growth and job creation and the significance of vital industries to Saskatchewan’s economy and is committed to supporting the success of such industries in pursuit of putting Saskatchewan first.

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: An Economy at the Service of All People

A conscience well formed by the social teachings of the Church will take seriously the following questions:

Poverty Reduction

1. “The poor you will always have with you,” Christ warned his disciples. Why would Christ say that? Is it possible that the poor will always be with us in order that we, who now form the living body of Christ on earth, will always have an opportunity to glorify God by examining the meaning and the causes of poverty, and working to eliminating it, without expecting that we will ever, on our own and without the assistance of God, be able to do that?

2. What is an appropriate definition of poverty, particularly in a society overflowing with consumer objects and material wealth?

3. How can Canada best strike a balance between the principles of solidarity – ‘we’re all in this together’ – and subsidiarity – ‘everyone should do what he or she can to support themselves, before burdening others?’

4. Should such definition include as a condition the ability of individuals to seek personal fulfillment in the pursuit of truth? In other words, the ability to enjoy and make use of leisure?

5. What, if anything, should be done to ensure that a dignified living wage, capable of providing a dignified home and opportunity to support a family, is available to workers and those willing to work?

6. Should a basic income policy be considered? If so, what form should it take?

7. What can or should be done by the provinces, and what should be left to the federal government, or to private or community organizations?

8. It has been observed that debt levels among the elderly are increasing, especially as the costs of long-term, dignified care increase. What can or should be done to alleviate poverty and debt among the elderly?

GDP & Well-Being

For decades, governments have focused exclusively on gross domestic product – a measure of an economy’s sheer productivity – as the best measure of national social health. More recently, some voices have begun to advocate for a broader index of national well-being, to include factors such as the physical and emotional health of the people, the health of the environment, equity in housing, income, and opportunity, and food security, in addition to raw production.

1. Which of these measures of national well-being is better?

2. What else can or should be done to ensure that Canada’s economy serves everyone–rather than the other way around?

3. Is it reasonable to demand continuous economic growth, or might it be preferable to seek sustainable contentment?

Businesses and Corporations

For decades, corporate lobby groups and business schools have taught that the only legitimate object of a business corporation is to make money for its shareholders. More recently, some business voices have begun to call for a broader role for corporations, one that includes service of its employees, its customers, and the community, and protection of the environment.

1. Which approach is more consistent with Catholic social teaching?

2. Should anything be done to encourage development of a corporate and business culture that aims to serve people, communities, and future generations, in addition to fair profits? If so, what?

Church Teaching

To one person’s right there corresponds a duty in all other persons.
Those, therefore, who claim their own rights, yet altogether forget or neglect to carry out their respective duties,
are people who build with one hand and destroy with the other.

Civil Rights & Liberties

Every member of society is imbued with a number of rights. With them come responsibilities.

In Catholic terms, a “right” has been defined as a subjective moral power, residing in the person posing it, “to do, hold, or extract something,” which functions through appeal to another’s will through the other’s intellect. It is to be distinguished from might, i.e. the physical force or power to take something away from another. – Fr John Hardon, SJ, Modern Catholic Dictionary

Man’s history of sin begins when he no longer acknowledges the Lord as his Creator and himself wishes to be the one who determines, with complete independence, what is good and what is evil. “You will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:5): this was the first temptation, and it is echoed in all the other temptations to which man is more easily inclined to yield as a result of the original Fall. – Pope Saint John Paul II, Veritatis splendor

The demands of the common good… are strictly connected to respect for and the integral promotion of the person and his fundamental rights. These demands concern above all the commitment to peace, the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, and the provision of essential services to all, some of which are at the same time human rights: food, housing, work, education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care, the freedom of communication and expression, and the protection of religious freedom. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 164-166

Racism & Discrimination

The unity of the human family is not yet becoming a reality. This is due to obstacles originating in materialistic and nationalistic ideologies that contradict the values of the person integrally considered in all his various dimensions, material and spiritual, individual and community. In particular, any theory or form whatsoever of racism and racial discrimination is morally unacceptable. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 433

Conscience & Religion

The Catholic Church emphasizes, among other rights, the right to religious freedom. Emphasis is given to the paramount value of the right to religious freedom: “all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits”. The respect of this right is an indicative sign of “man’s authentic progress in any regime, in any society, system or milieu.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 320-321

With euthanasia and medically-assisted death and abortion legalized, it is critical that healthcare providers whose deepest moral convictions tell them that such procedures are wrong, not be forced to participate. Catholic teaching says workers should be safeguarded from suffering any affront to conscience or personal dignity. It is a grave duty of conscience to avoid cooperating, even formally, with practices contrary to the Law of God.

Freedom of Speech; Truth, Press, & the Media

Information is among the principal instruments of democratic participation. Participation without an understanding of the situation of the political community, the facts and the proposed solutions to problems is unthinkable.

It is necessary to guarantee a real pluralism in the dissemination of information, ensuring that there are many forms and instruments of information and communications. Special attention must be given to the phenomenon of the news media being controlled by just a few people or groups. This has dangerous effects for the entire democratic system… The media must be used to build up and sustain the human community in its different sectors: economic, political, cultural, educational and religious. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity. The essential question is whether the current information system is contributing to the betterment of the human person; that is, does it make people more spiritually mature, more aware of the dignity of their humanity, more responsible or more open to others, in particular to the neediest and the weakest.

A further aspect of great importance is that new technologies must respect legitimate cultural differences. In the world of the media the intrinsic difficulties of communications are often exacerbated by ideology, the desire for profit and political control, rivalry and conflicts between groups, and other social evils. Moral values and principles apply also to the media…. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 414-416

Gender Equity

The feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society. The first indispensable step in this direction is the concrete possibility of access to professional formation. The persistence of many forms of discrimination offensive to the dignity and vocation of women is due to a long series of conditioning that penalizes women, who have seen themselves relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude… An urgent need to recognize effectively the rights of women in the workplace is seen especially under the aspects of pay, insurance and social security. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 295

Property

Private property and other forms of private ownership of goods “assure a person a highly necessary sphere for the exercise of his personal and family autonomy and ought to be considered as an extension of human freedom … stimulating exercise of responsibility, it constitutes one of the conditions for civil liberty.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 171

The Church’s social doctrine requires that ownership of goods be equally accessible to all, so that all may become, at least in some measure, owners. The world exists for everyone, because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of colour, religion, talent, place of birth or residence, and so many others, cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all. As a community, we have an obligation to ensure that every person lives with dignity and has sufficient opportunities for his or her integral development. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 176

Not to share our wealth with the poor is to rob them and take away their livelihood. The riches we possess are not our own, but theirs as well… Other rights having to do with the goods necessary for the integral fulfilment of persons, including that of private property or any other type of property, should in no way hinder [this right], but should actively facilitate its implementation. Fratelli tutti, 188-120

Human Rights

The Church also recognizes a number of Human Rights, including:
– the right to life, an integral part of which is the right of the child to develop in the mother’s womb from the moment of conception
– the right to live in a united family and in a moral environment conducive to the growth of the child’s personality
– the right to develop one’s intelligence and freedom in seeking and knowing the truth
– the right to share in the work which makes wise use of the earth’s material resources, and to derive from that work the means to support oneself and one’s dependents
– and the right freely to establish a family, to have and to rear children through the responsible exercise of one’s sexuality.

The Church also emphases rights to adequate housing; clean water, and secure, nutritious food; education and access to culture, transportation, basic health care. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 151-166

Individual Responsibilities

In human society, to one man’s right there corresponds a duty in all other persons: the duty, namely, of acknowledging and respecting the right in question. Those, therefore, who claim their own rights, yet altogether forget or neglect to carry out their respective duties, are people who build with one hand and destroy with the other. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 156

Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity is the principle that each element of society should serve its proper purpose, and support others in serving theirs, the over-arching goal being to encourage and enable the authentic human development of the individual.

One consequence of this principle is that each individual, and smaller groups of people, should be allowed and expected to make for themselves all the decisions that can responsibly be left to them, rather than to larger groups or greater authorities. A premise of this principle is that we are each responsible for our own salvation, within the limits of the gifts and the challenges with which God has endowed us. This is one of the fundamental social teachings of the Church, since it helps to ensure that each individual is empowered to find his or her own way to God.

Families, Individuals, and Civil Society

It is impossible to promote the dignity of the person without showing concern for the family, groups, associations, local territorial realities; in short, for that aggregate of economic, social, cultural, sports-oriented, recreational, professional and political expressions to which people spontaneously give life and which make it possible for them to achieve effective social growth. This is the realm of civil society… This network of relationships strengthens the social fabric and constitutes the basis of a true community of persons, making possible the recognition of higher forms of social activity.

The political community is established to be of service to civil society, from which it originates… This vision is challenged by political ideologies of an individualistic nature and those of a totalitarian character, which tend to absorb civil society into the sphere of the State. The political community and civil society are not equal in the hierarchy of ends. The political community is essentially at the service of civil society and, in the final analysis, the persons and groups of which civil society is composed.

The State must provide an adequate legal framework for social subjects to engage freely in their different activities and it must be ready to intervene, when necessary and with respect for the principle of subsidiarity, so that the interplay between free associations and democratic life may be directed to the common good. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 185, 417, 418

Subsidiary governments: provinces, municipalities, territories, & Aboriginal societies

The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to various forms of centralization, bureaucratization, and welfare assistance, and to the unjustified and excessive presence of the State in public mechanisms… Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 185

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Civil Rights & Liberties

The party states that:
– as a matter of principle under its constitution, it is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with, supremacy of the rule of law, equality of all before the law, and the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all under the law.
– it recognizes that, while collaboration with churches and other religious organizations is permissible, religion has no authority over the lawful actions or operations of these organizations. The party advocates legislation reflecting this principle to ensure the independence of religious entities.

The party advocates:
– rejection of the concept of compelled speech. (Note: Freedom of expression, including the rejection of compelled speech, is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.)
– legislation to prevent financial institutions from mandating the use of digital identification
– prohibition of lockdowns imposed on the citizens of Saskatchewan. (Note: Public health measures, including lockdowns, are typically enacted under provincial health legislation, such as The Public Health Act in Saskatchewan.)
– ensuring that the principle that individual liberty is the legal and moral foundation upon which society is built is upheld
– recognition of the right to own property shall be recognized as a fundamental human right, and ensuring that any Saskatchewan Bill of Rights and Freedoms includes a provision recognizing property rights
– legislation to enshrine individuals’ rights to own and use firearms, ease restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, and simultaneously increase penalties for the criminal use of firearms, and appointment of a provincial Firearms Commissioner whose office will operate independently from the Saskatchewan Police Force and adhere to provincial laws
– mandating that professional accreditation bodies shall monitor their members solely concerning their professional conduct, misconduct, or malpractice within their professional capacity. Legislation shall prevent these bodies from collecting or reporting any information unrelated to the professional needs, such as political affiliation, medical information, or personal opinions.

Green Party of Saskatchewan

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Civil Liberties, Human Rights

To that end the party advocates:
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– investing $10 million to act on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
– committing to a strong Saskatchewan within a strong Canada, by fighting for a fair deal on equalization.
– reintroducing an independent Ministry of Northern Affairs.
– reforming the child welfare system, working with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and First Nations to increase control and autonomy over child intervention on reserve.
– investing $5 million to create a poverty reduction strategy and increase support for housing first.
– eliminating predatory lending through a cap on interest rates and a cap on cheque cashing fees.
– doubling current funding for gang prevention strategies to keep our communities and our young people safe.
– banning dress codes that make women less safe at work, including mandatory high heels.
– examining structural and systemic racism within provincial government in the education sector.
– teaching children about respectful relationships, including the importance of consent.
– introducing legislation officially recognizing Gay Student Alliances (GSAs) to ensure safety and support for all our students.
– developing a disabilities strategy to ensure everyone in Saskatchewan is able to reach their full potential.
– working with the federal government to restore the family class of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, allowing newcomer families to put down roots and succeed in Saskatchewan.

The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Responsibilities; participation or subsidiarity

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Civil Liberties | Human Rights

The party’s constitution states that:
– it is dedicated to the principles of: individual freedom, responsibility, and human dignity in the framework of a just society, and political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all persons.
– the party subscribes to the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons under the rule of law and commits itself to the protection of these essential values and their constant adoption to the changing needs of modern society.
– it is bound by the Constitution of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons, to the enhancement of our unique and diverse cultural community, to the recognition that English and French are the official languages of Canada, and to the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society.
– it recognizes that a democratic system requires all citizens have access to full information concerning policies and leadership of the Party, and opportunity to participate in open and public assessment of such policies and leadership as they deem desirable to promote the political, economic, social, cultural and general well-being of Saskatchewan people.

Gender equality
The party advocates:
– implementing Mainstreaming, which ensures a gendered lens is applied to policies, resource allocation, research, and legislation, and allocating increased budgeting and resources towards this process;
– investing at the community level, through increased funding and support, towards expanding social services and programs which are necessary to promote gender self-determination in the private and public sectors;
– improving the province’s childcare system to align with the OECD’s benchmarks on childcare;
– promoting educational awareness of gender issues; and
– increasing gender diversity within its own ranks.

The party has published no further current statement concerning its policies relating to:
• Responsibilities; participation or subsidiarity

Saskatchewan Party

Saskatchewan United Party

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: Rights & Responsibilities; Subsidiarity

A conscience well formed by the social teachings of the Church will seriously consider the following questions:

Civic & Individual Rights & Responsibilities

It is clear that the nation and the provinces owe their citizens great respect for each of a broad range of human rights. But with rights come responsibilities. In fact, a right is nothing other than the flip side of an obligation (responsibility). And while individual citizens have rights, the civil community as a whole also has rights, which means that individual citizens have some fundamental obligations towards the civil community as a whole (the nation).

In that light, we can ask:

1. What responsibilities do individuals have toward their communities, provinces, the nation, and the world? For example:

a) to what extent are citizens called to live sustainable lifestyles, for example by conserving energy, avoiding waste, and ensuring that they minimize their impact on future generations?

b) what should citizens look to their governments for, to encourage or enable sustainable consumer lifestyles?

c) To what extent are citizens called to:

i) participate in society, for example through informed voting, continued engagement with candidates and elected representatives, and keeping up responsibly with the news?

ii) lend a hand to their neighbours, for example by volunteering at home or within the community, in addition to paying taxes?

2. Can our governments do anything to enable or encourage citizens to contribute by volunteer service? For example, can tax credits be offered to volunteer firefighters, or to invidividuals who work with the homeless or visit the homebound or sick, or otherwise support civic wellbeing?

3. Under what conditions, if any, is it morally right to require health care providers to participate in morally questionable practices such as abortion or assisted death, when it is contrary to their understanding of morality or their religious beliefs?

In addition to human and civil rights, many parties speak of things residents of Saskatchewan and others “deserve.”

1. How do the parties determine what citizens do or do not deserve? Do they apply predictable, objective criteria in making such determinations, or can such determinations sometimes seem arbitrary and unfair, or, in the context of elections, opportunistic? What criteria should be applied?

2. As the list of our defined political rights expand, how do we reconcile conflicts between them?

Government and Civil Society

1. Should the powers of the Federal government be expanded or reduced?

2. Should the powers of the Provincial government be expanded or reduced?

3. Is there too much government intervention in Canada or too little? Are Federal and Provincial governments fulfilling their obligations under the principle of subsidiarity to local governments and community groups by leaving to them all the decisions that responsibly can be left with them?

4. Or, should the powers of government be redistributed in order to ensure that individuals, public interest groups, and service organizations have opportunities to employ their lives and talents in the service of others, and the common good?

Church Teaching

Solidarity is found in a commitment to the good of one’s neighbour.
The good of one is the good of all, and the other is as important as the self.
Injustice done to another is an injustice that affects everyone.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 193

Support for the Marginalized and the Vulnerable

So many needy brothers and sisters are waiting for help, so many who are oppressed are waiting for justice, so many who are unemployed are waiting for a job, so many peoples are waiting for respect. How can it be that even today there are still people dying of hunger? Condemned to illiteracy? Lacking the most basic medical care? Without a roof over their head?

The scenario of poverty can extend indefinitely, if in addition to its traditional forms we think of its newer patterns. These new patterns often affect financially affluent sectors and groups which are nevertheless threatened by despair at the lack of meaning in their lives, by drug addiction, by fear of abandonment in old age or sickness, by marginalization or social discrimination… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 5

Disabilities, Mental Health & Addictions

Persons with disabilities are fully human subjects, with rights and duties: “in spite of the limitations and sufferings affecting their bodies and faculties, they point up more clearly the dignity and greatness of man.” Persons with disabilities are to be helped to participate in every dimension of family and social life at every level accessible to them and according to their possibilities… They too need to love and to be loved, they need tenderness, closeness and intimacy according to their capacities. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 148

Indigenous Peoples & Reconciliation

The relationship of Indigenous peoples to their lands and resources deserves particular attention, since it is a fundamental expression of their identity. These peoples offer an example of a life lived in harmony with the environment that they have come to know well and to preserve. Their extraordinary experience, which is an irreplaceable resource for all humanity, runs the risk of being lost together with the environment from which they originate. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 471

The Canadian Catholic Church supports the work of the Truth and Reconciliation commission. We are called to support thriving Indigenous communities in Canada, rooted in their unique cultures and traditions.

Northern & Rural Communities

Looking after the common good means making use of the new opportunities for the redistribution of wealth to the benefit of the underprivileged that until now have been excluded or cast to the sidelines of social and economic progress. Too often, social services and infrastructure development suffer from neglect in rural areas. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 299, 300, 363

Agricultural labour merits special attention… considering the many problems that need to be met in the context of an ever more globalized economy as well as its growing significance in safeguarding the natural environment. Radical and urgent changes are therefore needed in order to restore to agriculture — and to rural people — their just value as the basis for a healthy economy… Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 363, 299.

Refugees, Immigrants & Newcomers

Ideally, unnecessary migration ought to be avoided; this entails creating in countries of origin the conditions needed for a dignified life and integral development. Yet until substantial progress is made in achieving this goal, we are obliged to respect the right of all individuals to find a place that meets their basic needs and those of their families, and where they can find personal fulfilment. Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be summarized by four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. – Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 129

In the modern world, where there are still grave inequalities between rich countries and poor countries, and where advances in communications quickly reduce distances, the immigration of people looking for a better life is on the increase. These people come from less privileged areas of the earth and their arrival in developed countries is often perceived as a threat to the high levels of well-being achieved thanks to decades of economic growth. In most cases, however, immigrants fill a labour need which would otherwise remain unfilled… Institutions in host countries must keep careful watch to prevent the spread of the temptation to exploit foreign labourers, denying them the same rights enjoyed by nationals, rights that are to be guaranteed to all without discrimination. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 297, 298

We are called to welcome immigrants and refugees with generosity and good will, as if they were Jesus Christ himself. Matthew, Chapter 25

When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you,
and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt:

I am the Lord your God.
Lev. 19:33-34)

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Green Party of Saskatchewan

Indigenous Rights & Relations

The party states that:
– it acknowledges the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the world, as custodians of the land and its resources.
– it honours cultural, linguistic, ethnic, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity within the context of individual responsibility toward all beings.
– it defends the right of all persons, without discrimination, to an environment supportive of their dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being.
– it promotes the building of respectful, positive and responsible relationships across lines of division in the spirit of a multi-cultural society.

The party advocates:
– learning, as a society, to live within the ecological and resource limits of the planet
– where knowledge is limited, taking the path of caution, in order to secure the continued abundance of the resources of the planet for present and future generations
– recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to the basic means of their survival, both economic and cultural, including rights to land and to self determination; and acknowledgment of their contribution to the common heritage of national and global culture
– recognition of the rights of ethnic minorities to develop their culture, religion and language without discrimination, and to full legal, social and cultural participation in the democratic process

Rural Communities

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Support for the Marginalized

The party states that:
– people in Saskatchewan believe that everyone, no matter where they are from or what they look like, deserves the same chance at success.
– we all do better when we remember that we are all in this together.

To that end the party advocates:
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– developing a disabilities strategy to ensure everyone in Saskatchewan is able to reach their full potential.

Indigenous Rights & Relations

The party advocates:
– working with First Nations in Saskatchewan to ensure First Nation schools receive equal funding.
– empowering people, small businesses, municipalities and First Nations and Métis communities to generate their own power and create a distributed energy grid.
– working with the federal government and First Nations and Métis governments to close the gap in health, employment, justice and education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
– investing $10 million to act on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Rural & Northern Communities

The party states that:
– its top priority is developing Renew Saskatchewan, to create jobs, lower bills and reduce emissions.
– it seeks also to reintroduce an independent Ministry of Northern Affairs.

The party advocates:
– introducing a Rural Reconnect program to provide high-quality Internet and cellular service everywhere in Saskatchewan.
– investing $3 million into a rural education strategy to ensure we meet the unique needs of small-town schools.
– instituting a job creators’ plan to support local small businesses as they adapt to the vital and necessary $15/hour minimum wage.
– lowering crop insurance rates for new farmers to help them get started and provide $20 million per year to increase AgriStability reference margins.
– empowering people, small businesses, municipalities and First Nations and Métis communities to generate their own power and create a distributed energy grid.

Immigration & Newcomers
The party advocates:
– improving the recognition of foreign credentials to allow more of our newest Canadians to fully participate in the economy.
– working with the federal government to restore the family class of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, allowing newcomer families to put down roots and succeed in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Saskatchewan Party

Solidarity

Among its Guiding Principles the party lists:
– a strong social safety net which protects those who truly need support while encouraging individuals to become self sufficient;
– democratic reform to make government more responsive to the people it serves.

Support for the Marginalized

For the Disabled

Prior to its current term in office, the party stated that its plan to make life more affordable would:
– expand individualized funding for autism services to children under 12.
– improve Deafblind services in Saskatchewan by funding more supports.

The party states that:
– its 2024-25 Budget allocates funds to help fund insulin pumps and glucose monitors.
– the budget also contains a $4-million increase to continue to meet the needs of children and their families through the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding Program

Indigenous Rights & Relations
The party states that:
– its 2024-2025 budget targets more than $255 million for First Nation and Métis people and organizations, an increase of $6.1 million over the previous year. The budget is bolstered by a $91.2-million investment from gaming payments to support Indigenous-led social and economic initiatives.
– to support the well-being of Indigenous women, girls and Two‐Spirit people, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ Community Response Fund invests $800,000 for grassroots organizations and communities to develop and deliver projects that help prevent violence and build safety.
– to continually enhance consultations related to the duty to consult, the 2024-25 Provincial Budget provides an increase of $930,000 to support First Nation and Métis communities in participating in the consultation process.
– the budget further includes $10.4 million to support the changing service needs of current adult clients with intellectual disabilities, as well as the delivery of residential and day programs for new clients.
– a further $7.6-million investment will help plan and construct 10 new group homes, along with one assessment and stabilization home.
– Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living will continue to assist people with physical disabilities to live a more active and independent lifestyle.

Immigration & Newcomers
The party states that:
– to help meet current and future labour market needs as the province grows, the Ministry of Ministry of Immigration and Career Training will invest in training and settlement supports for in-demand health professions. This includes training seats for continuing care aides, licensed practical nurses and medical lab assistants.
– the ministry’s 2024-2025 budget includes $856,000 to support record nominations through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, which will help address the labour needs of Saskatchewan employers. Safeguards are being added to the program to enhance fraud detection and protect its integrity. Additionally, the Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Office will continue to help individuals with foreign credentials or those who are licensed in other provinces navigate the licensure pathways with their respective regulators. This is another effort to ensure the province has a skilled workforce and trained professionals in place to support the growing economy.

Saskatchewan United Party

Points to Ponder

Points to Ponder: Solidarity

It is always important, as Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina has said, “to listen to the voices of the suffering, to be guided by them in how we respond and to be ready to engage with them in moving forward.” (Catholic Register 18 July 2021)

1. What does it mean – to the government, to social organizations, and to individual Canadians – to listen to, and to be guided by, the voice of someone who is suffering?

2. Who, in Saskatchewan and around the world, is suffering now?

3. How can such voices be heard so that a healthy, positive, and loving response can be determined?

Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation

1. How can the provincial government and the Church work together to facilitate reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, so that all Canadians can benefit from re-establishing right-relationship?

Mental Health & Addictions

Several parties have proposed decriminalization of drug dealing and drug possession, in order to focus on the treatment of addiction as a health care issue.

1. Is it possible, by decriminalizing drug sales and drug possession, to both relieve an overburdened criminal justice system and help more individuals heal and recover from addictions? If so, what might a helpful approach look like?

2. Is it possible, through review of criminal legislation, education, and focused health care initiatives, to give individuals greater freedom to “develop their potentialities, become aware of their dignity and prepare to face their unique and individual destiny?” (quoting St. John Paul II, On the Hundredth Year (Centesimus Annus) #39

3. Is there any way to ensure that such measures are accompanied by effective mechanisms to address the root causes of and eliminate drug abuse, for example through educational initiatives at all levels of society?

4. To what extent can or should such measures be tailored to the individual human needs, desires, and weaknesses of those caught in cycles of abuse?

Refugees & Newcomers

1. What is being done, and what, if anything, should further be done to ensure that refugees and newcomers are safe, healthy, and enabled to flourish in Saskatchewan?

2. It seems obvious that many immigrants are attracted by one or more features of Canadian life and culture. To what extent is it possible and proper to expose immigrants to Canadian culture and expect them to embrace it?

3. If it is possible and proper to any degree, how are Canadian life and culture to be defined, and by whom?

Northern & Rural Communities

1. What is being done, and what, if anything, should further be done to ensure vibrant, healthy rural life in Saskatchewan?

2. Of those measures, what should be done at the federal level? By the provinces? By businesses, residents, and civil associations in rural areas?

3. Northern areas are also of concern. What special circumstances are faced by those living in the North, and how should their needs best be assessed?

Church Teaching

An authentic democracy is the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures:
the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good
as the purpose and guiding criterion for political life.

The Proper Role of Government

It is impossible to understand the role and purpose of government and other social institutions without first appreciating the purpose of life.

If, as the Church believes, the purpose of life is for each soul to search for and find the truth which is God, and to seek to grow closer to God, and to ensure that all other souls are encouraged and enabled to find their own ways to God, it follows that the proper role of government is to provide, with the support of the Church and other moral, educational, and economic institutions, a legal and economic framework in which the common good can flourish, in order that the people may accomplish their mission, that is, so that the people may use the freedom God has given them to seek the truth and thereby return to Him.

An authentic democracy is not merely the result of a formal observation of a set of rules but is the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good as the purpose and guiding criterion for political life. If there is no general consensus on these values, the deepest meaning of democracy is lost and its stability is compromised.

The Church’s social doctrine sees ethical relativism, which maintains that there are no objective or universal criteria for establishing the foundations of a correct hierarchy of values, as one of the greatest threats to modern-day democracies. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 407

Institutions and democracy

The Magisterium recognizes the validity of the principle concerning the division of powers in a State: “it is preferable that each power be balanced by other powers and by other spheres of responsibility which keep it within proper bounds. This is the principle of the ‘rule of law’, in which the law is sovereign, and not the arbitrary will of individuals.”

Responsibilities of the State include:
– ensuring that all individuals are enabled to achieve their full potential, by maintaining a framework capable of providing all the material, moral, and spiritual goods necessary for the common good
– harmonizing the different interests of sectors of society with the requirements of justice, including particularly the reconciliation of private ownership of goods with the common good
– ordering society not only in accordance with the desires of the majority, but the effective good of all the members of the community, including minorities

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 168

The Role of the Church

The Church does not wish to exercise political power or eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions. Instead, it intends — as is its proper function — to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good. The social doctrine of the Church is not an intrusion into the government of individual countries. It is a question of the lay Catholic’s duty to be morally coherent, found within one’s conscience, which is one and indivisible. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 571

Taxes & Stewardship of Office

Public administration at any level — national, regional, community — is to be oriented towards the service of citizens, serving as steward of the people’s resources, which it must administer with a view to the common good.

Taxes

Tax revenues and public spending take on crucial economic importance for every civil and political community. The goal to be sought is public financing that is itself capable of becoming an instrument of development and solidarity. Just, efficient and effective public financing will have very positive effects on the economy, because it will encourage employment growth and sustain business and non-profit activities and help to increase the credibility of the State as the guarantor of systems of social insurance and protection that are designed above all to protect the weakest members of society.

Public spending is directed to the common good when certain fundamental principles are observed: the payment of taxes as part of the duty of solidarity; a reasonable and fair application of taxes; precision and integrity in administering and distributing public resources.

In the redistribution of resources, public spending must observe the principles of solidarity, equality and making use of talents. It must also pay greater attention to families, designating an adequate amount of resources for this purpose. In the democratic system, political authority is accountable to the people. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 355, 408, 412

Democratic Reform

Representative bodies must be subjected to effective social control. This control can be carried out above all in free elections which allow the selection and change of representatives. The obligation on the part of those elected to give an accounting of their work — which is guaranteed by respecting electoral terms — is a constitutive element of democratic representation.

Among the deformities of the democratic system, political corruption is one of the most serious. If there is no ultimate truth to guide and direct political action, then ideas and convictions can easily be manipulated for reasons of power. A democracy without values easily turns into totalitarianism. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 406-412

Cooperation and respect between parties

Political parties have the task of fostering widespread participation and making public responsibilities accessible to all. Political parties are called to interpret the aspirations of civil society, orienting them towards the common good… An authentic democracy is not merely the result of a formal observation of a set of rules but is the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good as the purpose and guiding criterion for political life. If there is no general consensus on these values, the deepest meaning of democracy is lost and its stability is compromised. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 407, 413

Subsidiary governments: provinces, municipalities, territories, & Indigenous peoples

The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to various forms of centralization, bureaucratization, and welfare assistance, and to the unjustified and excessive presence of the State in public mechanisms… Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 185

Peace & Good Order

Interprovincial and International Trade

The Church has time and again called attention to aberrations in the system of international trade, which often, owing to protectionist policies, discriminates against products coming from poorer countries and hinders the growth of industrial activity in and the transfer of technology to these countries.

The continuing deterioration in terms of the exchange of raw materials and the widening of the gap between rich and poor countries has prompted the Church to point out the importance of ethical criteria that should form the basis of international economic relations: the pursuit of the common good and the universal destination of goods; equity in trade relationships; and attention to the rights and needs of the poor in policies concerning trade and international cooperation.

Economic and social imbalances in the world of work must be addressed by restoring a just hierarchy of values and placing the human dignity of workers before all else. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 370, 321, 364

“Opening up to the world” is an expression that has been co-opted by the economic and financial sector and is now used exclusively of openness to foreign interests or to the freedom of economic powers to invest without obstacles or complications in all countries. Local conflicts and disregard for the common good are exploited by the global economy in order to impose a single cultural model. This culture unifies the world, but divides persons and nations, for “as society becomes ever more globalized, it makes us neighbours, but does not make us brothers.

We are more alone than ever in an increasingly massified world that promotes individual interests and weakens the communitarian dimension of life. Indeed, there are markets where individuals become mere consumers or bystanders. As a rule, the advance of this kind of globalism strengthens the identity of the more powerful, who can protect themselves, but it tends to diminish the identity of the weaker and poorer regions, making them more vulnerable and dependent. In this way, political life becomes increasingly fragile in the face of transnational economic powers that operate with the principle of “divide and conquer”. Pope Francis, Fratelli tutti, 12

Criminal Justice & Public Safety
In order to protect the common good, the lawful public authority must exercise the right and the duty to inflict punishments according to the seriousness of the crimes committed. The State has the twofold responsibility to discourage behaviour that is harmful to human rights and the fundamental norms of civil life, and to repair, through the penal system, the disorder created by criminal activity… Punishment does not serve merely the purpose of defending the public order and guaranteeing the safety of persons; it becomes as well an instrument for the correction of the offender. There is a twofold purpose here. On the one hand, encouraging the reinsertion of the condemned person into society; on the other, fostering a justice that reconciles, a justice capable of restoring harmony in social relationships disrupted by the criminal act committed. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 402

Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan

Role & Purpose of Government

As a matter of principle under its constitution, the party states that it is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with:
– democratic institutions wherein elected representatives serve honestly, ethically, and with concern for all their constituents, and governments at all levels are open and accountable to the people
– fiscal prudence, including limited government, balanced budgets, debt reduction, and realistic taxation and contingency provisions
– autonomy of the Government of Saskatchewan within confederation up to and including to collection of taxes, provincial pension plan, control of immigration to focus on meeting the demands of future industry, application of the carbon tax if any, equitable equalization payments

Taxes, Services, Stewardship & Reform

Taxation, Finance, Financial Responsibility

The party advocates:
– comprehensive review of the current progressive tax system with the objective of transitioning towards a flat tax system, ensuring simplicity and fairness for all taxpayers
– reform of the Provincial Sales Tax, with the goal of eliminating it entirely to alleviate the tax burden on residents and businesses.

– revamping governmental department budgets for facility infrastructure and improvements, shifting from an annual calculation to a three-year budget period
– legislation mandating balanced budgets, with any exceptions necessitating explicit voter approval through a majority vote in a provincial referendum
– earmarking any and all unexpected provincial budget surpluses for debt reduction until the provincial debt is eliminated
– establishment of a “Heritage Fund,” to save part of the province’s natural resource revenue for true emergencies. The determination of emergencies and any changes to the rules regarding the fund would require a majority vote in a provincial referendum
– exploring options for raising the minimum pension age for Saskatchewan MLAs from 50 to 65, with the intent of saving taxpayer money.
– allowing individual taxpayers to designate a portion of their tax contributions to specific areas of public spending
– using all available legal, legislative, electoral, and public opinion strategies to oppose the federal carbon tax, ensuring that no resident or business in Saskatchewan is compelled to pay the carbon tax to the federal government.
– to control provincial government spending and ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability, implementing strict Tax and Expenditure Limits

Democratic Reform, Provincial Autonomy

The party advocates:

– creation within the party of a special policy committee, with members elected by party membership, to examine and draft policies in preparation for Saskatchewan’s potential autonomy from the federal government
– upon formation of an autonomous Saskatchewan government, initiating creation of a constitution
– ensuring that the principle that individual liberty is the legal and moral foundation upon which society is built is upheld
– recognition of the right to own property shall be recognized as a fundamental human right, and ensuring that any Saskatchewan Bill of Rights and Freedoms includes a provision recognizing property rights
– a comprehensive and independent review of public sector pensions, aiming to align them more closely with private sector pensions
– to promote accountability, introduction of legislation requiring members of the legislature to respond to questions posed by other members during legislative sessions
– legislation mandating the power of Saskatchewan voters to elect all their representatives, including senators and the Lieutenant Governor
– strengthening punishments for breach of public trust by elected officials, with penalties including steep fines, loss of seat/pension, and potential jail time for fraud and corruption offences
– legislation to establish a provincial petition and recall website, enabling voters to initiate and sign petitions for the recall of elected officials, and to create a recall process for any elected position in Saskatchewan
– collaboration with all political parties in the province to reform campaign finance, including determining donation limits for corporate and individual donors

Regulatory Reform

The party advocates:
– legislating a requirement that for each new regulation enacted, redundant existing regulations must be repealed, to ensure a net reduction in overall regulatory costs

Accountability

The party advocates:
– enhancing Freedom of Information through amendments to enhance the powers of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner, including granting the Commissioner the authority to issue summary fines to entities for unjustified delays and costs in processing access to information requests

Intergovernmental Relations

Federal Government, Provincial Autonomy
The party states that:

– as a matter of principle under its constitution, it is rooted in, and all of its activities shall be guided by and conform with the goal of negotiating a fair and equitable deal with Ottawa in all matters pertaining to provincial jurisdiction; and if unsuccessful asking the voters of Saskatchewan if they choose to proceed to independence.

The party advocates:
– recognition of English as the official language of Saskatchewan (Note: English and French would still be the official languages of Canada as per the Official Languages Act, but this policy would specifically apply to provincial matters in Saskatchewan.)
– comprehensive and balanced counselling and education regarding gender dysphoria shall be advocated, while protecting parental rights to educate their children on matters of sexuality, including requiring rhe Department of Education and school personnel to inform parents of any counselling involving gender dysphoria
– rejection of the concept of compelled speech shall be rejected. (Note: Freedom of expression, including the rejection of compelled speech, is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.)
– legislation to prevent financial institutions from mandating the use of digital identification
– termination of all obligations, commitments, and agreements with the United Nations that are not beneficial, genuine, or transparent to the well-being and will of the people of Saskatchewan
– prohibition of lockdowns imposed on the citizens of Saskatchewan. (Note: Public health measures, including lockdowns, are typically enacted under provincial health legislation, such as The Public Health Act in Saskatchewan.)
– using every reasonable means to negotiate a better deal for Saskatchewan or possibly terminate Saskatchewan’s participation in the federal transfer payments program
– seeking provincial control over trade in Saskatchewan resources, enabling trade with American neighbors without federal intervention, and working with provincial neighbors for safe access to tidewater, opening more markets to Saskatchewan’s products
– introduction of legislation to grant the Government of Saskatchewan authority over the province’s portion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), including development of a fully developed Saskatchewan pension plan, with legal safeguards to prevent the plan from being used to balance the provincial budget
– legislation to enable Saskatchewan to manage all tax structures, including national taxes, including a requirement that Ottawa provide Saskatchewan with a monthly statement of expenses, which the province will review to verify their credibility before remitting its share of payment.

Municipalities & Provinces

The party advocates:
– pursuing cooperation with Alberta and Manitoba, to enhance the utilization of the Port of Churchill for the benefit of all three provinces
– using every reasonable means to negotiate a better deal for Saskatchewan or possibly terminate Saskatchewan’s participation in the federal transfer payments program
– giving preference in provincial contracting to Saskatchewan companies first, followed by other western provincial companies for all provincial projects, and ensuring that Saskatchewan shall not work with questionable companies, by exiting the New West Partnership and implementing a “Saskatchewan First” policy
– providing grant opportunities to small communities with populations under 5,000 residents for the purpose of upgrading firefighting equipment.
– revising Municipalities Act to reduce the disparity allowed between the highest mill rate factor (HMRF) of one property class and the lowest mill rate factor (LMRF) of another property class, promoting equity in municipal taxation.

Civil Society

The party states that:
– while collaboration with churches and other religious organizations is permissible, religion has no authority over the lawful actions or operations of these organizations. Legislation shall reflect this principle to ensure the independence of religious entities.

International Relations

The party advocates:
– termination of all obligations, commitments, and agreements with the United Nations that are not beneficial, genuine, or transparent to the well-being and will of the people of Saskatchewan
– strengthening strengthen trade relations with the bordering U.S. states of North Dakota and Montana

Courts & Public Safety

The party advocates:
– appointment of a provincial Firearms Commissioner whose office will operate independently from the Saskatchewan Police Force and adhere to provincial laws
– legislation to enshrine individuals’ rights to own and use firearms, ease restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, and simultaneously increase penalties for the criminal use of firearms
– enhancing Freedom of Information through amendments to enhance the powers of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner, including granting the Commissioner the authority to issue summary fines to entities for unjustified delays and costs in processing access to information requests
– cancelling the contract with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for policing services in Saskatchewan, and replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force
– working closely with municipalities and organizations such as the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association to explore alternative rural policing options, such as expanding the Crime Watch program and increasing rural civilian participation in supplemental and police support services

Green Party of Saskatchewan

Role & Purpose of Government

Participatory Democracy

The party states that:
– it strives for a democracy in which all citizens have the right to express their views, and are able to directly participate in the environmental, economic, social and political decisions which affect their lives; so that power and responsibility are concentrated in local and regional communities, and devolved only where essential to higher tiers of governance.

To that end, it advocates:
– individual empowerment through access to all the relevant information required for any decision, and access to education to enable all to participate.
– breaking down inequalities of wealth and power that inhibit participation.
– building grassroots institutions that enable decisions to be made directly at the appropriate level by those affected, based on systems which encourage civic
vitality, voluntary action and community responsibility.
– strong support for giving young people a voice through educating, encouraging and assisting youth involvement in every aspect of political life including their participation in all decision-making bodies.
– ensuring that all elected representatives are committed to the principles of transparency, truthfulness, and accountability in governance.
– that all electoral systems are transparent and democratic, and that this is enforced by law
– that in all electoral systems, each adult has an equal vote
– that all electoral systems are based on proportional representation, and all elections are publicly funded with strict limits on, and full transparency of, corporate and private donations.
– that all citizens have the right to be a member of the political party of their choice within a multi-party system

Intergovernmental Relations

The party declares:
– its commitment to nonviolence and to strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between states, inside societies and between individuals, as the basis of global security.
– its belief that security should not rest mainly on military strength but on cooperation, sound economic and social development, environmental safety, and respect for human rights.

To that end it advocates:
– a comprehensive concept of global security, which gives priority to social, economic, ecological, psychological and cultural aspects of conflict, instead of a concept based primarily on military balances of power.
– a global security system capable of the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
– removing the causes of war by understanding and respecting other cultures, eradicating racism, promoting freedom and democracy, and ending global poverty.
– pursuing general and complete disarmament including international agreements to ensure a complete and definitive ban of nuclear, biological and chemical arms, anti-personnel mines and depleted uranium weapons.
– strengthening the United Nations (UN) as the global organisation of conflict management and peacekeeping.
– pursuing a rigorous code of conduct on arms exports to countries where human rights are being violated.

Courts & Public Safety

The party advocates:
– creating a drug reduction strategy and developing more safe injection sites.
– regulating the distribution of pharmaceuticals prescribed by doctors to track and prevent dangerous levels of over-medication and prevent opioid addiction.
– treating drug addiction as a public health issue, not a felony.

New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

Reform
The party states that:
– it is concerned about practices within government of awarding lucrative contracts to friends and insiders, blurring lines between the business of the province and business interests of wealthy donors, and failing to hold MLAs to account for helping their wealthy friends.
– the province has the worst campaign finance and lobbying laws in Canada.
– its top priority is making it illegal for people from outside of Saskatchewan to donate to political parties and banning corporate and union donations.

To such ends the party advocates quick action to bring trust and ethics back to the provincial political system, including:
– calling a public inquiry into the Global Transportation Hub and Regina Bypass scandals.
– introduction of stronger conflict-of-interest rules for MLAs.
– closing the lobbyist registry loophole and requiring all lobbying to be made public.
– ending commercial development in provincial parks and reversing the takeover of Wascana Park.
– improving minimum standards for financial information provided to the public.
– requiring the Provincial Auditor to report on the state of public finances before each election.

Budgets & Services
The party states that:
– recent budgets show that the current government has no real plan to address the economic challenges, including those resulting from the pandemic, just its old playbook of cuts.
– years of cuts have weakened public services and the provincial economy.
– it’s time for a government that will put people first. It undertakes to work from day one on a transparent, well-planned return to fiscal health for the province, putting people and
families at the heart of budgets and ensuring a system that is fair and democratic.
– public debt has tripled under the current government, raising concerns about the provincial deficit, in addition to deficits in provincial schools and hospitals, and in the bank accounts of ordinary Saskatchewan families.

The party advocates:
– working with an expert panel to plan a path back to balanced budgets, including setting targets for net debt-to-GDP ratio and a focus on the investments designed to deliver the most growth and the greatest long-term savings.
– because wise investments in people pay for themselves through increased economic activity and decreased spending on poverty, illness and crime, it is committed to health and education, forward-thinking investments, smart financing and a commitment to progressive taxation.
– in order to ensure that the very wealthy to pay their fair share, implementing an additional one percent tax on those with net wealth over $15 million, resulting in an additional
$120 million in revenue annually.

Intergovernmental Relations | Courts & Public Safety

The party advocates:
– committing to a strong Saskatchewan within a strong Canada, by fighting for a fair deal on equalization.
– doubling current funding for gang prevention strategies to keep our communities and our young people safe.

Saskatchewan Progress Party

Role & Purpose of Government

The party’s constitution states that:
– the party is committed to the view that the dignity of each individual man and woman is the cardinal principle of democratic society and the primary purpose of all political organization and activity in such a society
– it is dedicated to the principles of: individual freedom, responsibility, and human dignity in the framework of a just society, and political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all persons.
– the party subscribes to the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons under the rule of law and commits itself to the protection of these essential values and their constant adoption to the changing needs of modern society.
– it is bound by the Constitution of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons, to the enhancement of our unique and diverse cultural community, to the recognition that English and French are the official languages of Canada, and to the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society.
– it recognizes that a democratic system requires all citizens have access to full information concerning policies and leadership of the Party, and opportunity to participate in open and public assessment of such policies and leadership as they deem desirable to promote the political, economic,social, cultural and general well-being of Saskatchewan people.

Taxes, Services, Stewardship & Reform

Accountable Government

The party advocates:
– instituting a Fair Advertising in Government Act to prevent the misuse of public funds for propaganda purposes;
– ensuring the full disclosure of MLA budgets to allow for greater scrutiny of office and legislative expenditures;
– giving more power to the Provincial Auditor and increasing their respective budget;
– ensuring all constituencies have approximately the same number of people and their grouping is a fair reflection of the communities that reside there;
– looking to reduce the overall number of constituencies to make them more commensurate with the actual population size of the province.

To modernize political donations, the party advocates:
– limiting yearly personal/individual donations to a specific amount competitive with other provinces;
– adjusting tax deductions for individual donations to cap out at the full donation amount;
– reducing corporate and union donations to half the amount of a personal/individual donation for party and half for constituency associations; and
– banning all donations whose source is outside the province (individual, corporate, or union).

Tax Reform
To support families and communities, the party advocates:
– increasing the Saskatchewan Basic Personal Amount an individual can earn before starting to pay income from $16,065 to a number commensurate with a current full time minimum wage position in the province;
– increasing the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit (SLITC) to double its current amount;
– eliminating the Education portion of property tax;
– implementing PST exemptions for all basic/essential goods;
– allowing for input tax credits for businesses which will ensure it is applied only when a final product or service is provided to the consumer; and
– eliminating PST from all insurance products sold in Saskatchewan.

Services
The party advocates:
– redesigning Social Assistance rom the ground up writing a new, simpler Act;
– scrapping Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and replacing it with a more effective benefit package;
– reinstating the Rental Supplement including:
a) all Social Assistance clients will receive the Rental Supplement;
b) the Rental Supplement will subsidize rents to the cost of the average rent in Saskatchewan;
c) any resident who pays more than 40% of gross income towards rent will qualify; clients will be subsidized from 40% of income up to average rent or actual, whichever is less
– indexing Social Assistance rates to inflation;
– paying the actual cost of utilities for Social Assistance clients directly;
– providing Social Assistance clients with enough assistance that they are no longer having to sacrifice food or rent;
– simplifying rules for Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) whereby any client with a disability, who needs any type of assistance and whose quality of life is affected by the disability, qualifies for SAID. This includes ensuring SAID applications no longer assume that a permanent disability has suddenly, miraculously been healed.

Courts & Public Safety
The party advocates:
– providing provincial urban police forces with an agreed upon funding increase to serve its raison d’être to serve and protect.

Saskatchewan Party

Role & Purpose of Government

As its Guiding Principles the party lists commitments to:
– Economic growth and job creation through the private sector, not government, as the engine of the economy;
– Smaller, less intrusive, more efficient government;
– Steady, gradual reduction in government spending and taxation while maintaining a firm commitment to balanced budgets;
– A high-quality health care system for all Saskatchewan people, regardless of where they live within the province;
– A strong social safety net which protects those who truly need support while encouraging individuals to become self sufficient;
– Democratic reform to make government more responsive to the people it serves;
– Individual freedom and the equality of opportunity for all citizens; and
– The constant improvement of Saskatchewan’s economic and social conditions within a strong and united Canada.

Taxes, Services, Stewardship & Reform

Budget & Taxes
During its previous election campaign, the party stated that:
– its plan for a Strong Saskatchewan would see the provincial budget balanced by 2024, and that it would maintain balanced budgets through 2030.

The party’s 2024-2024 budget states that:

– it is making record new investments in classrooms, care and communities, including:
* the largest-ever increase in school operating funding;
* the largest-ever increase in health care funding; and
* the largest-ever increase in municipal revenue sharing for communities;
– and that these and many other investments are the result of and the response to a rapidly growing province; that the provincial population is growing at its fastest pace in more than a century and is expected to reach 1.25 million people sometime in 2024.

Deficit & Debt

The party states that:

– in 2023-2024 it budgeted for a surplus of $1.02 billion, with the fiscal year being forecasted to end with a $482 deficit
– its 2024-2025 budget anticipates a deficit of $273 million
– in 2023-2024 it budgeted for revenue of $19.7 billion, with the fiscal year being forecasted to end with $20.4 billion total in revenue
– its 2024-2025 budget anticipates revenue of 19.9 billion
– its 2024-2025 budget does not include any new taxes or tax increases
– its 2024-25 Budget has a projected deficit of $273.2 million, but is expected to return to a surplus position in 2025-26 due to increasing revenues as a result of a growing population, labour force and economy.
– a sign of Saskatchewan’s strong position is its sustainable net debt, with the second lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in Canada. In this budget, gross taxpayer-supported debt is forecast to be $21.1 billion at March 31, 2024, up from $18.1 billion the previous year due to increased borrowing for the Saskatchewan Capital Plan
– due to responsible management of the province’s finances, Saskatchewan maintains the second-highest credit rating among the provinces when the ratings from the three major agencies – Moody’s Investors Services, Standard and Poor’s and DBRS Morningstar – are considered.

Services

With respect to education, the party states that:
– in the 2024-2025 budget, school operating funding increases by nearly nine per cent. Overall, education funding is up more than $247 million from the previous year – a lift of more than eight per cent for Saskatchewan teachers, students and classrooms – including a record $356.6 million in classroom supports.

With respect to health care, the party states that:
– in the 2024-2025 budget, funding for the provincial health care system increases by more than 10 per cent, including capital projects. With a focus on care, the budget for health care rises by $726 million..

With respect to communities, the party states that:
– cities, towns, villages and rural and northern municipalities receive a record increase of $42.4 million in municipal revenue sharing – a lift of more than 14 per cent from the previous year – as a result of a predictable formula that sees revenue sharing increase as the economy grows

With respect to social services, the party states that:
– Saskatchewan is growing at its fastest pace in more than a century. As of October 1, 2023, the province was home to 1,218,976 people. The population grew by 31,369 people over the previous year, leading to the largest population growth in a single year in more than a century. Within the next year its population will reach 1.25 million people, which would be an increase of a quarter-million people since 2007. This places the province on track to reach the Growth Plan goal of 1.4 million people living in Saskatchewan by 2030.
– the 2024-2025 budget invests in other priority areas for the people of Saskatchewan, such as social safety nets. The $1.5-billion Ministry of Social Services budget – an increase of $112.4 million, or 7.8 per cent, from the previous year – includes increases in funding for income assistance, child and family services, housing and disability programs.
– community-based organizations (CBOs) augment government programs by providing important services in communities throughout the province. In recognition of this programming, the budget provides an $18.1-million lift to base funding for CBOs in Saskatchewan.

Intergovernmental Relations

Prior to its most recent election, the party stated that:
– its plan for a Strong Saskatchewan would include $2.5 billion in revenue sharing, to support communities

In its 2024-2025 budget, the party proposes:
– giving cities, towns, villages and rural and northern municipalities a record increase of $42.4 million in unconditional municipal revenue sharing through the Ministry of Governmental Relations– an increase of more than 14 per cent from the previous year and a total of $340.2 million – as a result of a predictable formula that sees revenue sharing increase as the economy grows.
– an additional $350.1 million – an increase of $2 million –directed to infrastructure programs in the province, including funding for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Canada Community-Building Fund and the New Building Canada Fund.
– a $900,000 increase to the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency for total funding of $12.3 million to maintain its capacity for property inspections.

Courts & Public Safety

The party states that:
– community safety remains a priority in the 2024-25 Budget. The budget for the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety is $719.4 million.
– more than $228 million will fund RCMP operations in the province through the Provincial Police Services Agreement, an increase of $4.3 million, while the RCMP’s First Nations Policing Program will receive $21.6 million.
– $23.1 million is allocated for 160 municipal police positions, including 17 Combined Traffic Services positions funded by SGI and other public safety initiatives through the Municipal Police Grants Program.
– $7 million is allocated to continue implementation and hiring for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, which is expected to begin operations in 2026. The ministry will receive an additional $200,000 to enhance and expand the Saskatchewan Police College.
– the budget designates $2.1 million to enhance for expansion of the First Nations Community Safety Officer Pilot Program, hiring alternative response officers to address public safety issues around shelters and establishing a K9 unit within the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol.
– for corrections, the budget allocates $37 million to continue expansion of the Saskatoon Remand Centre. Once complete, it will provide more space to manage and provide rehabilitative programming, improving community safety for inmates, staff and the public. It is expected to begin operations in 2025.
– $31.7 million is allocated to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General to address interpersonal violence through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and annualized funding for second-stage shelters.
– the Saskatchewan Firearms Office receives $12.4 million, which includes $3.0 million to establish a ballistics laboratory in Saskatoon.

Saskatchewan United Party

Role & Purpose of Government

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it trusts the residents of Saskatchewan to live their lives in accordance with the richness of their traditions, cultures and belief systems, and set out to reduce the role and size of government in the everyday life of residents while recognizing that government should exist to maximize quality of life as a servant and not master of residents.
– it acknowledges the role of government includes an obligation to proactively advocate for the best interest of Saskatchewan first in all national and international affairs.
– it recognizes that all residents of Saskatchewan have human rights as defined by statute, common law and the Charter and it maintains that all actions of the government shall be guided by adherence to such rights, and that government has an obligation to demonstrably justify any infringement of Charter rights in a public, transparent and accountable manner.
– it emphasizes that supporting opportunities for all residents, based on merit free from discrimination, best serves equality for all residents.
– it recognizes that the family unit is the bedrock of society and that government must primarily account for the restoration, benefit and protection of the family unit to support its ability to thrive and prosper, while maximizing its right to self-determination in choosing the values preferred by each family unit to raise and teach its children.
– it recognizes the indispensible right to private property for all residents and opposes incursion of such rights by federal or international interests.
– it values the province’s youth and senior citizens by ensuring ethical education for children, while caring for senior citizens with support to the full extent possible.
– it recognizes the importance of economic growth and job creation and the significance of vital industries to Saskatchewan’s economy and is committed to supporting the success of such industries in pursuit of putting Saskatchewan first.
– it recognizes the role of the employer-employee relationship without intrusive government involvement, while protecting the rights of the worker without overreach into the operations of the employer.
– it is committed to balanced budgets, while responsibly addressing inherited deficits by systemically reducing unnecessary programs and bureaucracy.
– it is committed to favour tax reductions, while reducing the size of government.
– it is committed to an effective health care system, which should include an emphasis on preventative care while maintaining robust treatment. We believe in a small and efficient health bureaucracy, a provincially sovereign system, privacy of health information, restoring the autonomy of the patient-doctor relationship and increasing health care providers to improve the administration of health, while proactively improving the wellbeing of residents to gradually reduce reliance on health care over time.
– it believes reconciliation with provincial Indigenous First Nations communities begins with support for meaningful economic policies for the prosperity and wellbeing of such communities and establishing a collaborative path for a united Saskatchewan beneficial to all residents.
– it promotes personal responsibility of residents, while focusing on important social programs to address the underlying causes and needs of those who require support.
– it supports effective law enforcement to reduce crime in the province’s communities and seeks to provide justice system officials with the means to improve the administration of justice by increasing efficiency, access to justice and to reduce the time and capital expense on residents.
– it recognizes the value and benefit of technological advancements, while at the same time sets out to responsibly examine ethical and health implications in a manner which ensures the safety and wellbeing of provincial residents.
– it recognizes the richness of the province’s diverse population, while at the same time measuring provincial immigration policies to maintain and improve the standard of life of current residents, while also protecting Saskatchewan’s traditions and way of life.
– it commits to environmental stewardship by governing responsible and sustainable exploration, development, renewal and conservation of Saskatchewan’s natural resources in the most competitive and balanced way, while diligently promoting clean air, water and land for provincial residents.
– to the greatest extent possible, it commits to establishing policy of affordable food, water and energy for all Saskatchewan residents.

Taxes, Services, Stewardship & Reform

The party states that:
– Saskatchewan embodies the values of hard work, integrity, and perseverance.
– it believes that, as a beacon of hope and opportunity, the future of this great province rests in the hands of its citizens, who deserve a government that is accountable, transparent, and committed to serving their best interests.

To that end, the party advocates:
– embracing the spirit of openness, thereby empowering the people of Saskatchewan with unprecedented access to government information and decision-making processes, fostering a culture of transparency and trust.
– whistleblower protection, ensuring that individuals who speak truth, are heard and their rights protected. The party undertakes to shine a light on corruption and uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability.
– upholding the honor and integrity of public service, including holding the province’s elected officials and government employees to the highest ethical standards, safeguarding against conflicts of interest and undue influence. It undertakes to work together to will build a government that serves the people with honesty and integrity.
– conducting regular audits of government agencies and public services like healthcare to evaluate the allocation of funds between administration and frontline care, and ensuring that resources are directed towards enhancing patient care and improving health outcomes rather than excessive administrative costs.
– establishment of clear performance metrics and robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and government projects are delivered on time and on budget with accountability and transparency.
– stringent regulations on lobbying activities, to ensure that the voices of all Saskatchewan residents are heard and respected. Together, we will create a level playing field where decisions are made in the best interests of the people.

Intergovernmental Relations

The party states that it believes in a robust policy on provincial autonomy to empower Saskatchewan with greater control over its own affairs, drawing inspiration from the partnership model Quebec enjoys within Confederation while fostering regional collaborations in Western Canada to strengthen the economic and social fabric of Western provinces.

To that end, the party advocates:
– negotiating a new arrangement with the federal government that mirrors Quebec’s special status within Confederation, including greater control over immigration, cultural matters, natural resource policies, and the ability to optout with compensation from certain federal programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction.
– expanded provincial powers in key areas such as natural resources management, environmental regulations, healthcare delivery, education, immigration, and infrastructure development. It believes that decisions affecting Saskatchewanians should be made by those who understand the province’s unique needs and aspirations.
– recognizing the shared challenges and opportunities that other Western provinces and Saskatchewan face, establishment of strategic regional partnerships with Alberta and Manitoba to promote economic growth, innovation, and collaboration. This includes joint initiatives in energy development, transportation infrastructure, trade promotion, and skills training to create a more prosperous and resilient region.
– maintenance of a balanced approach to federalism that respects the national unity and the provincial uniqueness within our great country. It undertakes to work constructively with the federal government and other provinces to address common challenges and pursue shared goals while safeguarding Saskatchewan’s interests and values

Courts & Public Safety

Among its constitutional founding principles, the party states that:
– it supports effective law enforcement to reduce crime in the province’s communities and seeks to provide justice system officials with the means to improve the administration of justice by increasing efficiency, access to justice and to reduce the time and capital expense on residents.

Points to Ponder

Consider discussing the following with your local candidates, elected representatives, and the parties, and discussing with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow parishioners:

The Role and Purpose of Government

Catholics have definite ideas about the purpose of life and, arising from that purpose, the proper roles of civil society, government, and other social institutions.

Are those ideas shared by most Canadians? If not, to what extent can or should we share our ideas with other Canadians?
Are any values held in common by most Canadians? If so, what are they, and how do they inform the proper role of government and other social institutions? For example, what do we owe each other, and what does the answer mean for government, charities, schools, etc.?
Is it important for a society to share common values? How can common values be promoted within a society?

The Government of Canada has recently published a Framework for Quality of Life (https://www160.statcan.gc.ca/infosheet-infofiche-eng.htm), and has instructed its ministers that “Across our work, we remain committed to ensuring that public policies are informed and developed through an intersectional lens, including applying frameworks such as Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and the quality of life indicators in decision-making.”

To what extent is the Quality of Life framework consistent with the principles and values of Catholic social teaching?
To what extent does, or should, a Quality of Life framework apply to provincial governance as well we federal?

Truth, Respect & Good Governance

Each of the mandate letters used by the federal government to instruct its ministers at the time the current government assumed office explained that: “Canadians expect us to work hard, speak truthfully and be committed to advancing their interests and aspirations. When we make mistakes – as we all will – Canadians expect us to acknowledge them, and most importantly, to learn from them.”

Has this standard been applied to provincial government in Saskatchewan?
To the extent it has not, what can or should Saskatchewan voters do to encourage their governments to apply it?

It is an unfortunate and nearly universal practice for our political parties, in framing their platforms and policy statements, to focus at least as much on what’s wrong with the other parties as they do on what’s right about themselves.

How can we, as citizens and voters, help encourage parties to look for common ground, speak positively about one another, and voice their suggestions for improvement in respectful and collaborative terms?

Democratic Reform

Canada and many of its provinces have long debated the advantages and disadvantages of first-past-the-post vs. proportional voting schemes.

Should such systems be considered in Saskatchewan? If so, what form should they take? Are the people of Saskatchewan over or under-represented by the number of elected officials serving them?
How can we, as individuals, parishes, and as a Church, encourage responsible individuals to consider and accept political vocations in pursuit of truth, justice, and the common good? What roles can or should local, provincial, and federal governments play in promoting such callings?

It is very often the case that party members and candidates – including particularly rank-and-file members and staff members – are very good people, who sacrifice much in order to contribute to a better world. And it seems too seldom that we thank them, or have anything other than criticism to offer.

What can we, as individuals, do to thank and support such selfless people?

Government Services

The chart below is taken from the official Saskatchewan provincial public accounts document for 2022-23. It shows total provincial government expenses for the period 2022-2023, presented according to broad “themes” of public interest, including health, education, agriculture, social services, and public safety.

What, if anything, do the figures tell us about the relative cost of and need for the themes presented? Do the relative balances look about right, given the nature of current provincial social conditions?
The three columns represent actual expenses for 2022 (the medium blue), budgeted expenses for 2023 (darker blue) and actual expenses for 2023 (lightest blue). Which themes are associated with the greatest growth or reduction between 2022 and 2023? Which themes show the greatest deviation between budgeted and actual expense? What might be the reasons for the deviations?

Most importantly, does your response to the chart change when the questions above are considered through the lens of Catholic social teaching? Are the relative differences in expense levels between themes easier or more difficult to understand when considered in the light of the sanctity of life, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity?

Government of Saskatchewan, Public Accounts 2022-23, page 29

Contracting; Public – Private Partnerships

Contracting and cooperation between government and corporations or other private entities can be instrumental in accomplishing great common projects. On the other hand, unwatched they can become instruments of misuse.

1. To what extent should public-private partnerships be allowed, for research, infrastructure development, or other purposes?

2. What type(s) of entities should be considered when contemplating such partnerships? Local or foreign corporations? Non-profit or charitable organizations?

3. How should such partnerships be monitored or regulated, in order to assure that arms-length relationships are maintained, and that principles of subsidiarity are respected?

Fiscal Responsibility

The tables below are taken from the 2024-2025 Saskatchewan provincial budget, and show projected provincial revenues, expenses, and debt for the next several years. In addition, it is reported by the Fraser Institute https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/growing-debt-burden-for-canadians-2024.pdf) that Saskatchewan’s provincial debt has nearly doubled since 2007-2008, to $15.2 billion in 2023-2024.

1. What do these figures tell Saskatchewan citizens?

2. Should voters or taxpayers be concerned?

3. Should future generations of voters, taxpayers, or citizens be concerned?

Facebook Tweet LinkedIn Print

2024 Provincial Election

On or before Monday, October 28, 2024

Read. Pray. Vote! Saskatchewan Provincial Election

1

2

Downloads

3

Browse Party Platform Comparisons

Life | The Environment | Family & Community | The Economy | Rights & Responsibilities | Solidarity | Government

The Sanctity of Human Life: from Conception to Natural Death

Abortion, Euthanasia & Alternatives │ Human Engineering │ Population Control

Stewardship of Creation

Climate Change │ Species, Diversity & Wildlife │ Energy & Resources │ Conservation & Sustainable Development

Family, Community & the Common Good

Role of the Family │ Healthcare │ Education & Young Workers │ Culture Arts & Tourism

An Economy at the Service of All People

The Dignity of Work │ Poverty Reduction │ Labour, Unions, Employment | Industries & Corporations

The Individual & Society: Rights, Responsibility, & Subsidiarity

Civil Liberties │ Human Rights │ Responsibilities: Participation & Subsidiarity

Solidarity

Supporting the Marginalized │ Indigenous Peoples │ Rural Communities │ Refugees & Newcomers

Good Government: Democracy, Justice, & Peace

Role & Purpose of Government │ Stewardship & Reform │ Provinces, Territories, Municipalities │ International Relations & Defense │ Public Safety

British Columbia Election 2024

US Federal Election 2024

Canada Federal Election 2025