The Saskatchewan NDP is calling out the government for charging Provincial Sales Tax for people rebuilding after this past summer’s wildfires.
Cumberland NDP MLA Jordan McPhail brought the issue to Question Period at the legislative assembly on Monday.
McPhail along with the Saskatchewan NDP is calling for the government to provide an exemption for wildfire victims from the Provincial Sales Tax.
According to McPhail, some residents are facing PST bills of over $20,000 as they try to rebuild after the devastating wildfires.
“Now the government is looking to take millions of dollars out of the pockets of my constituents who lost homes,” said McPhail. “Can the Premier tell us the exact dollar figure he will charge the people of the north as they begin to rebuild their lives.”
McPhail would read quotes from a few northerners who lost their homes and are now rebuilding and facing PST bills as they rebuild.
“’Why would the government profit off of such a tragedy that cost people so much’,” McPhail read out loud. “That’s a great question. So my question to the minister, why?”
Saskatchewan’s Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod provided a response on behalf of the government.
While McLeod didn’t address the PST concerns specifically he says the government has been and will continue to provide “unprecedented” supports for wildfire victims.
“$20 million of support from this government supporting those families,” said McLeod. “We will continue to support those families and the communities who suffered losses as a result of this tragic fires.”
In the meantime, a group from Denare Beach was at the legislative assembly on Monday and Minister McLeod agreed to meet with them after the sitting of the assembly concluded for the day.