Sask. Opposition Leader Carla Beck looks back on 2023
CBC
Saskatchewan politics got plenty of attention this year, both in the province and elsewhere.
With only a few days remaining on the 2023 calendar, CBC Saskatchewan's provincial affairs reporter Adam Hunter sat down with Opposition NDP leader Carla Beck to ask about what happened on the floor this year and how her caucus is prepping for the year to come.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Adam Hunter: Looking back on 2023 and heading to the next year, what do you think the biggest issue facing Saskatchewan is?
Carla Beck: The number one issue, and it doesn't matter which community we're in, is the cost of living for people in this province. We heard that in the byelections and unfortunately, I don't think it is getting better for people in the province right now.
Why do you say that?
The number of people that we see in the province who are reporting difficulty paying their bills at the end of the month, the number of mortgages in arrears in this province, are higher than any other province. But really, the first hand accounts from people in the province.
We're on thousands of doorsteps during the byelections, and we heard stories from people about how difficult it was for them to get groceries for their family, and the number of people who were taking out additional jobs just to pay for basics.
I think of one mom who was very excited her daughter had made a provincial sports team. She's a health-care worker and in order to pay for that she was having to take on an additional job.
As we move into the holiday season, [it's] people's ability to to put gifts under the tree. Looking forward to next year and how they're going to be able to continue to pay the bills. It really is the number one issue we're hearing from people.
What should be done about that?
One of the things that we've put forward as an immediate measure is calling for a suspension of the fuel tax.
We've seen provinces like Manitoba put this in place, for example. It's something that would put over $300 back in people's pockets.
What are your concerns regarding health care in the province right now?
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