Under both the Paul Martin Liberal Government, and the Stephen Harper Conservative Government, the Saskatchewan NDP has repeatedly expressed the need for a revision of the equalization formula.
"Full exclusion will ensure the revenue generated by Saskatchewan's natural resources can be reinvested at home in building and transforming Saskatchewan's economy through increased tax reductions, debt reduction and improved social programs that will benefit Saskatchewan people," said NDP Finance Minister Andrew Thomson before the standing committee on Finance in Ottawa.
When the NDP were in government in Saskatchewan, they appealed to the standing committee on Finance in Ottawa, the federal panel on equalization, and to the federal Minister of Finance at a meeting of federal/provincial/territorial ministers. The NDP launched an awareness campaign to inform residents of the imperative of equalization reform, a reform that could see up to 800 million dollars remaining in Saskatchewan on an annual basis.
"Saskatchewan people have waited long enough for a fair deal on equalization," said NDP Leader Lorne Calvert. "I want to see a signal that the federal government is going to follow through on the promise it made to change the equalization formula. A fair equalization deal is about making life better today for families and building a better future here for our youth."
The final act of the NDP government on this file was to ask the provincial Justice Department to forulate a court reference to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. When Lorne Calvert appeared before the Senate's national finance committee he informed them of the chalage and explained that the Constitution Act of 1982 recognizes the principle of equalization which is based on a formula that is "fair and equitable" and thee current equailzation forumla was neihter.
"Our best legal advice tells us that there is a strong case to be made but it is an uphill battle. We are not fooling ourselves and nor do we think it is a quick or immediate solution. We will probably get into the court in early fall, and it may be months, if not years, before it works itself through (the courts)," said Calvert.
"Full exclusion will ensure the revenue generated by Saskatchewan's natural resources can be reinvested at home in building and transforming Saskatchewan's economy through increased tax reductions, debt reduction and improved social programs that will benefit Saskatchewan people," said NDP Finance Minister Andrew Thomson before the standing committee on Finance in Ottawa.
When the NDP were in government in Saskatchewan, they appealed to the standing committee on Finance in Ottawa, the federal panel on equalization, and to the federal Minister of Finance at a meeting of federal/provincial/territorial ministers. The NDP launched an awareness campaign to inform residents of the imperative of equalization reform, a reform that could see up to 800 million dollars remaining in Saskatchewan on an annual basis.
"Saskatchewan people have waited long enough for a fair deal on equalization," said NDP Leader Lorne Calvert. "I want to see a signal that the federal government is going to follow through on the promise it made to change the equalization formula. A fair equalization deal is about making life better today for families and building a better future here for our youth."
The final act of the NDP government on this file was to ask the provincial Justice Department to forulate a court reference to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. When Lorne Calvert appeared before the Senate's national finance committee he informed them of the chalage and explained that the Constitution Act of 1982 recognizes the principle of equalization which is based on a formula that is "fair and equitable" and thee current equailzation forumla was neihter.
"Our best legal advice tells us that there is a strong case to be made but it is an uphill battle. We are not fooling ourselves and nor do we think it is a quick or immediate solution. We will probably get into the court in early fall, and it may be months, if not years, before it works itself through (the courts)," said Calvert.
