Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall ducks tough questions on Enterprise Saskatchewan; Industry and Resources employees could lose jobs

The adage, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” seems increasingly more applicable.

As Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall continues to avoid specifics about his Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme an NDP news release today reported that Wall had trouble answering “media questions about the make-up of Enterprise Saskatchewan, but he did admit that employees working on economic development within the department of Saskatchewan Industry and Resources would face uncertain futures. When asked how many employees that would be, Mr. Wall replied “Well, I don’t know how many are in the department today, specifically…”

“Mr. Wall has not provided costs for Enterprise Saskatchewan in his platform, and he has no idea how many people it would take to run this mystery agency despite publicly stating that it would be operational within the first week of a Sask Party government,” said Premier Lorne Calvert.

“What is the mandate of Enterprise Saskatchewan, and how will it be held accountable to Saskatchewan taxpayers? Is Mr. Wall refusing to answer questions because he’s making this up as he goes, or, and I believe this to be more likely, is he hiding the true intent of this body?”

According to the news release Wall skirted questions “of whether the President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) would be represented on the board, but did say several times that he would likely ask the Saskatchewan Construction Association to participate. The Saskatchewan Construction Association is on record as supporting the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).”

This stunning news comes on the heels of Tuesday night’s leaders’ debate when time and again Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall ducked tough questions on Enterprise Saskatchewan.

In Karwacki comes out swinging (SP October 31, 2007) Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk noted Wall’s approach to the debate was “cautious” and that “he endured a couple of shots from both [Liberal Leader David] Karwacki and Calvert.”

“One such broadside was Calvert’s shot at the makeup and role of Wall’s Enterprise Saskatchewan -- a body Calvert repeated is a thinly veiled vehicle to carry out privatization. The lack of a direct answer from Wall will do little to dissipate the suspicions created by Calvert in some minds that an alternative agenda is at work.”

In Leaders pump up the volume (SP October 31, 2007) James Wood and Angela Hall of the Saskatchewan News Network reported that Wall “came under fire from both Calvert and Karwacki for his plan to supplant the industry and resources arm of government with Enterprise Saskatchewan, a public-private board the Sask. Party has said would provide direction to government on economic development.

“What we will not do is . . . turn over the decision-making in this economy to a group of hand-picked friends called Enterprise Saskatchewan, to turn over the future of our economy to people who are unelected,” said Calvert, demanding several times that Wall say who would be appointed to the board.”

Apparently the answer never came.

Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall unveiled his Enterprise Saskatchewan plan on September 21, 2004, as a part of The Promise of Saskatchewan: A New Vision for Saskatchewan’s Economy, which was later rolled in its entirety into The Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007).

Delegates at the Saskatchewan Party’s 2005 convention in Regina resolved to endorse Wall’s plan “as the foundation for the economic development plan of a Saskatchewan Party government.”

Wall has had more than three years to bring Saskatchewan residents up to speed on Enterprise Saskatchewan but has failed to show any meaningful transparency on the issue.

The Saskatchewan Party has not released the complete terms of reference for Enterprise Saskatchewan or clearly explained the process of how its chair, vice-chair and members of the board will be selected.

Wall has not said whether the Enterprise Saskatchewan board meetings and agendas will be open to the public nor has he supplied a definitive list of the groups or individuals that will comprise the Enterprise Saskatchewan board.

Wall has not identified who will comprise the “sector teams” that are to be tasked with studying each sector of the economy to identify barriers to growth for removal nor has he provided costs for Enterprise Saskatchewan.

Why the secrecy?

Further evidence to support that the concerns about Enterprise Saskatchewan are justified can be found in the Saskatchewan Party’s response to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) 2007 Leaders’ Survey on Small Business Issues that was sent to party leaders’ on October 12, 2007. The results were released on October 29, 2007.

The CFIB represents 5,250 small- and medium-sized business in Saskatchewan and 105,000 across Canada and is an organization that appears to have a very close relationship with the Saskatchewan Party.

(A March 31, 2004, letter from party leader Brad Wall to Marilyn Braun-Pollon, the CFIB’s Director of Provincial Affairs Saskatchewan states: “My party has had a very good relationship with your organization through the years and that will absolutely not change under my leadership. The position the CFIB puts forward, for the most, reflect our own.”)

In five of the survey questions the Saskatchewan Party seem more than prepared to simply defer matters concerning small business corporate tax rates, personal income tax rates, the shortage of skilled labour, provincial regulations on business and the reduction of fees, forms and regulations on business to Enterprise Saskatchewan – a body that does not yet exist and will be governed by a unelected board completely unaccountable to the people of Saskatchewan.

On the matter of Crown corporations (Question #13) the CFIB survey asks: “Will you introduce legislation to prohibit direct public sector investment in new or existing businesses?”

The Saskatchewan Party response: “The Saskatchewan Party does not feel legislation is required in this area. A Saskatchewan Party government will not expand or introduce new government competition with the private sector, while ensuring that Saskatchewan’s Crown Corporations and their subsidiaries remain publicly owned and continue to be competitive in the products and services they offer.”

This is contrary to what Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall has said in the past and runs counter to the party’s policy book.

In a speech to the North Saskatoon Business Association on December 8, 2005, Wall said:

“The terms of reference of Enterprise Saskatchewan also include the end of government picking winners and losers in the economy.

“These initiatives are non-negotiable and are hard wired right into Enterprise Saskatchewan. Legislative changes where necessary will be readied for the first Legislative session.”

In a speech given at the Saskatoon Leaders Dinner on March 2, 2006, Wall said:

“Most recently, I got into the specifics of [Enterprise Saskatchewan] at the North Saskatoon Business Association December meeting where I laid out the details of what we were proposing and the first 180 days of a Saskatchewan party government.

“This includes reforming the labour legislative environment in the first session of the House, implementing Vicq’s recommendations on lower taxes on growth, and stopping government intervention in the economy.”

Enterprise Saskatchewan is designed to remove barriers to growth. The Saskatchewan Party has pre-determined that the Crowns are a barrier and its support for The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act clearly applies only to the four major Crown utilities.

The Saskatchewan Party Policy Book it states:

“A Saskatchewan Party government will maintain Saskatchewan’s four major utilities (SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy and SGI) as government-owned Crown corporations and they will play a key role in the implementation of the Enterprise Saskatchewan Plan.” [Page 45]

“Enterprise Saskatchewan will develop a systematic and ongoing process to identify and remove barriers to growth in each of our key economic sectors.” [Page 43]

“[N]on-tax barriers that will require the attention and diligence of Enterprise Saskatchewan include direct competition to business from various government agencies and Crowns attempting to diversify from core functions, as well as policies of the Crowns themselves.” [Page 48]

“CC05-1. Keeping the Major Crowns Public – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act and will retain public ownership of our major Crown corporations as important tools in the provision of utility services to Saskatchewan families and businesses and important partners in the economic development of Saskatchewan.” [Page 11]

“EC05-2. Rethinking Direct Government Investment and Intervention in the Economy – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will replace direct government investment and intervention in the economy with…Enterprise Saskatchewan…and…The removal of barriers to private sector investment in Saskatchewan’s key economic sectors.” [Page 13]

“EC05-3. Establishing the Right Economic Development Priorities – Be it resolved that the economic development priorities of a Saskatchewan Party government will be to…Maintain public ownership of Saskatchewan’s major crown utilities focused on the provision of power, telecommunications services, natural gas transmission and distribution and insurance services to Saskatchewan families and businesses at the lowest possible cost.” [Page 13]

When it comes to Enterprise Saskatchewan and Crown corporations the Saskatchewan Party and its leader Brad Wall appear to be misleading the people of Saskatchewan in a very big way.

Enterprise Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Party candidate Nancy Heppner says one thing while the party policy book appears to say something different

One might think that a party’s stated policies would surely trump election platforms and promises. With the Saskatchewan Party that does not appear to be the case.

Saskatchewan Party candidate Nancy Heppner is claiming the NDP is “resorting to lies” about her party’s policies.

In Sask. Party would sell STC first: Calvert (StarPhoenix, Oct. 30, 2007) NDP Leader Lorne Calvert raised concerns that the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) would be first in line to be privatized under a Saskatchewan Party government.

“We would keep Crowns public, and STC is part of that,” said Heppner, seeking re-election in Martensville.

According to the article Calvert pointed to past statements by Sask. Party members -- coupled with the party’s plans to create Enterprise Saskatchewan to oversee economic development -- as signals that STC would be privatized.

Calvert said Monday that a review of the Crowns by a “hand-picked” group of people in Enterprise Saskatchewan is cause for concern. He pointed also to a 2004 Saskatchewan Party policy document that said the party would maintain public ownership of SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy and SGI but didn’t mention others.

“What will Mr. Wall do when Enterprise Saskatchewan recommends the sale of STC?” Calvert asked.

Heppner said the Sask. Party wouldn’t accept advice that went against the party’s stance that the Crowns will remain public, including the Crowns beyond the major utilities.

The problem with Heppner’s comments is that the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book does not appear to say that. Calvert is correct in that it only mentions the four major Crowns. There is absolutely no solid reference to maintaining public ownership of the other Crowns.

Enterprise Saskatchewan is designed to remove barriers to growth. The Saskatchewan Party has pre-determined that the Crowns are a barrier.

The Saskatchewan Party Policy Book states:

“A Saskatchewan Party government will maintain Saskatchewan’s four major utilities (SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy and SGI) as government-owned Crown corporations and they will play a key role in the implementation of the Enterprise Saskatchewan Plan.” [Page 45]

“Enterprise Saskatchewan will develop a systematic and ongoing process to identify and remove barriers to growth in each of our key economic sectors.” [Page 43]

“[N]on-tax barriers that will require the attention and diligence of Enterprise Saskatchewan include direct competition to business from various government agencies and Crowns attempting to diversify from core functions, as well as policies of the Crowns themselves.” [Page 48]

“CC05-1. Keeping the Major Crowns Public – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act and will retain public ownership of our major Crown corporations as important tools in the provision of utility services to Saskatchewan families and businesses and important partners in the economic development of Saskatchewan.” [Page 11]

“EC05-2. Rethinking Direct Government Investment and Intervention in the Economy – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will replace direct government investment and intervention in the economy with…Enterprise Saskatchewan…and…The removal of barriers to private sector investment in Saskatchewan’s key economic sectors.” [Page 13]

“EC05-3. Establishing the Right Economic Development Priorities – Be it resolved that the economic development priorities of a Saskatchewan Party government will be to…Maintain public ownership of Saskatchewan’s major crown utilities focused on the provision of power, telecommunications services, natural gas transmission and distribution and insurance services to Saskatchewan families and businesses at the lowest possible cost.” [Page 13]

Heppner states “Enterprise Saskatchewan would be set up to advise and the ultimate decision would be with the government.”

Under Enterprise Saskatchewan the government “will cede significant control over the formation and implementation of economic development strategies to a broad partnership of economic stakeholders with the full support of the Premier and Executive Council.” [Page 46]

“Rather than taking direction from government, Enterprise Saskatchewan will establish provincial economic development goals and strategies for endorsement by Cabinet and the Legislature. Government departments, agencies and, in some cases, Crown corporations, will then be tasked with implementing these strategies. Enterprise Saskatchewan will also monitor progress and measure results.” [Page 46]

Furthermore, when it comes to the finer details of the plan there appears to be no transparency.

The Saskatchewan Party has not released the complete terms of reference for Enterprise Saskatchewan or clearly explained the process of how its chair, vice-chair and members of the board will be selected.

Party leader Brad Wall has not said whether the Enterprise Saskatchewan board meetings and its agendas will be open to the public.

To date Wall has not supplied a definitive list of the groups that will comprise the Enterprise Saskatchewan board.

When is the Saskatchewan Party going to come clean about its Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme?

Saskatchewan Party pulls Regina Walsh Acres candidate information from website; party brass aware of complaint when nomination sought

“[Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall] indicated he didn’t know what was going on in this situation. He said he didn’t know about the gold-plated health benefits that they (MLAs) took. He worked for a cabinet minister who got convicted of fraud and said he didn’t know what was going on there.”

“At some point in time, we would like to know what Mr. Wall does know? ... For a person that is wanting to be premier, you better know.”
– David Karwacki, Liberal Leader

The Saskatchewan Party appeared to be in full damage control mode after losing Regina Walsh Acres candidate Dan Harder over the weekend.

According to Sask. Party candidate withdraws (Leader-Post, Oct. 29, 2007) Harder got the hook after party leader Brad Wall learned of the details of a complaint made against him last year.

The article notes that “Harder served as the executive director of the Big Brothers of Regina when in 2006 some employees complained that he had made comments to them that were alleged to be inappropriate.”

Equally disturbing is learning that “The Saskatchewan Party was aware of the complaint when Harder sought the party’s nomination.”

“(Wall) knew accusations were made about the Regina Walsh Acres candidate, but he signed his nomination papers anyway,” said NDP candidate Pat Atkinson.

Incredibly, it seems leader Brad Wall was not aware of this, or so the public is being led to believe.

According to a March 9, 2007, Saskatchewan Party news release the candidate nomination meeting for Regina Walsh Acres was on March 27, 2007. There appeared to be no subsequent news release announcing Harder’s candidacy.

The Leader-Post also reported that “References to Harder were removed from the Saskatchewan Party Web site by Sunday morning, as was a Web site Harder had created for his candidacy.”

The information may have been yanked but remnants of its existence remain, at least for the time being.

Cached versions of Harder’s biography, a message from what appears to be the Regina Walsh Acres Constituency Association, and a low resolution photo of Harder that were posted on the Saskatchewan Party website are available.

As for Harder’s own website (www.trydanharder.com) a cached version of his “About Me” page appears to be still there. Missing though is a photo with the caption: “Dan Harder with Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall.”

This latest incident can be added to the list of other controversies plaguing the Saskatchewan Party. These include:

– Corporate and media contributions
– Connections to Stephen Harper’s federal conservatives
– Enterprise Saskatchewan & Labour legislation
– Misleading election platform
– Crown corporations
– Dan D’Autremont fiasco

Saskatchewan Party: Labour legislation and Crown corporations among targets for first Legislative session of a Brad Wall government

The Saskatoon StarPhoenix reported today that Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall told reporters Friday that a Sask. Party government would “reach out” to labour.

“We want them to join in the Enterprise Saskatchewan model,” Wall said. [Wall claims momentum with Sask. Party, SP Oct. 27, 2007]

Wall was responding to concerns raised by NDP Leader Lorne Calvert that the Sask. Party plan to create a public-private entity called Enterprise Saskatchewan to serve as the province’s central economic development agency raises flags for the future of Crown corporations and in areas such as labour laws because one of its expected tasks is “removing of barriers to growth.”

Calvert is absolutely right. That the Saskatchewan Party has a long history of suggesting that the Crowns and labour laws are barriers that need be removed is no secret.

It is interesting that Wall would even attempt to “reach out” to labour at this point or continue trying to ease people’s fears that the Crowns are safe when both will be targets in the first six months of a Saskatchewan Party government.

In a speech given at the Saskatoon Leaders Dinner on March 2, 2006, Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall said:

“Most recently, I got into the specifics of [Enterprise Saskatchewan] at the North Saskatoon Business Association December meeting where I laid out the details of what we were proposing and the first 180 days of a Saskatchewan party government.

“This includes reforming the labour legislative environment in the first session of the House, implementing Vicq’s recommendations on lower taxes on growth, and stopping government intervention in the economy.”

With friends like that who needs enemies?

At the aforementioned North Saskatoon Business Association meeting on Dec. 8, 2005, Wall said that changes to labour legislation are “Non-negotiable and foundational to the terms of reference given to Enterprise Saskatchewan.”

Why on earth would Saskatchewan labour organizations want to be part of a process whose terms and outcomes are non-negotiable and pre-determined? The Saskatchewan Party’s Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme seems clearly flawed with little credibility.

(It should be noted that the NSBA were one of the business groups consulted when Enterprise Saskatchewan was being developed. Did Wall’s party “reach out” and consult labour?)

At the Regina Leaders Dinner on April 4, 2006, Wall told the audience that the purpose of Enterprise Saskatchewan was “to provide enterprise friendly leadership to our economy, to change our brand, and to warm up the business climate.”

No doubt the Saskatchewan Party’s close friends, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, were pleased to hear that. After all their agenda’s seem to mirror each other.

(Note: The 2006 & 2007 leaders’ dinner speeches given by Brad Wall appear to have been removed, without explanation, from the Saskatchewan Party website.)

Leader Brad Wall claims his party supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act, yet past comments and the party’s current policy book seem to tell a different story.

The Saskatchewan Party has identified the Crowns and their policies as barriers to growth. Enterprise Saskatchewan, the cornerstone of the party’s economic vision, is designed to remove barriers to growth, many of which have been pre-determined thereby undermining the credibility of the Enterprise Saskatchewan board and its non-elected and as yet unidentified “sector teams” that will supposedly be tasked with studying each sector of the economy to identify barriers for removal.

Saskatchewan Party policy states that “all parts of government” (i.e. departments, agencies, Crown corporations, regulations and labour legislation) will be reviewed. It stands to reason this will include the four major Crown utilities that the party says will remain publicly owned. It also stands to reason should any so-called barriers be identified during those reviews the said barriers will be removed as per party policy. Just because the four major Crowns may be protected does not mean they are untouchable.

Despite assurances from leader Brad Wall that the Crowns will not be privatized or the operations of their subsidiaries wound down, the party policies still exist and are very real. It is reasonable to think that the party did not go through the trouble of undertaking a comprehensive review of its policies following its 2003 election defeat only to stand by and watch them sit idle should it form the next government.

It should be remembered that The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act applies to more than just the four major Crowns that the Saskatchewan Party says it will protect – SaskTel, SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SGI. It also applies in part to:

Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan
Liquor and Gaming Authority
Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation
Saskatchewan Transportation Company
Saskatchewan Water Corporation
SGC Holdings Inc.
TransGas Limited

The Saskatchewan Party is silent on the fate of these Crowns, as well as others like the Saskatchewan Research Council and the Saskatchewan Communications Network. The media, many of which donate to the party, don’t seem too eager to talk about this or challenge party leader Brad Wall on its alleged support of the Act.

The party is also silent on whether it has any plans to amend the Act, since it too appears to be a barrier to the advancement of the Saskatchewan Party’s policies.

Below is a brief snapshot of the Saskatchewan Party’s views and policies regarding the Crowns:

“[W]e would put an end, an unequivocal and absolute end to the amazing practice of this government of using the Crown corporations to compete with small-business men and women. You bet we would do that.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party MLA for Swift Current, in the Legislature, March 25, 2002

“[W]e believe all but four of the major Crowns should be dispensed.”
–Brenda Bakken, Saskatchewan Party MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy, Weyburn Review, June 19, 2002

“The major initiative appears to be an attempt to enshrine the Crowns to ensure they will be the engines of the economy. We have not seen the legislation so whether that means all 87 crowns or just the 4 major Crowns (which we support) will be looked at when the bill is introduced.”
– June Draude, Saskatchewan Party MLA for Kelvington-Wadena, commenting on the Province’s Speech from the Throne, March 2004

“The terms of reference of Enterprise Saskatchewan also include the end of government picking winners and losers in the economy.

“These initiatives are non-negotiable and are hard wired right into Enterprise Saskatchewan. Legislative changes where necessary will be readied for the first Legislative session.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, in a speech to the North Saskatoon Business Association, December 8, 2005, one year after voting in favour of The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act.

“A Saskatchewan Party government will maintain Saskatchewan’s four major utilities (SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy and SGI) as government-owned Crown corporations and they will play a key role in the implementation of the Enterprise Saskatchewan Plan.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, The Promise of Saskatchewan (September 2004), which is now part of the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 45

“Enterprise Saskatchewan will develop a systematic and ongoing process to identify and remove barriers to growth in each of our key economic sectors.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, The Promise of Saskatchewan (September 2004), which is now part of the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 43

“[N]on-tax barriers that will require the attention and diligence of Enterprise Saskatchewan include direct competition to business from various government agencies and Crowns attempting to diversify from core functions, as well as policies of the Crowns themselves.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, The Promise of Saskatchewan (September 2004), which is now part of the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 48

“Most recently, I got into the specifics of [Enterprise Saskatchewan] at the North Saskatoon Business Association December meeting where I laid out the details of what we were proposing and the first 180 days of a Saskatchewan party government.

“This includes reforming the labour legislative environment in the first session of the House, implementing Vicq’s recommendations on lower taxes on growth, and stopping government intervention in the economy.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, Saskatoon Leaders Dinner, March 2, 2006, p. 6

“[Enterprise Saskatchewan] will be organized by sector teams whose job it will be to identify barriers to growth in each of the economic sectors that we know will attract investment and create jobs.

“It will report them publicly to the government and then hold the government accountable for how it is doing.”
– Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party Leader, Saskatoon Leaders Dinner, March 2, 2006, p. 7

“CC05-1. Keeping the Major Crowns Public – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act and will retain public ownership of our major Crown corporations as important tools in the provision of utility services to Saskatchewan families and businesses and important partners in the economic development of Saskatchewan.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 11

“EC05-2. Rethinking Direct Government Investment and Intervention in the Economy – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will replace direct government investment and intervention in the economy with…Enterprise Saskatchewan…and…The removal of barriers to private sector investment in Saskatchewan’s key economic sectors.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 13

“EC05-3. Establishing the Right Economic Development Priorities – Be it resolved that the economic development priorities of a Saskatchewan Party government will be to…Maintain public ownership of Saskatchewan’s major crown utilities focused on the provision of power, telecommunications services, natural gas transmission and distribution and insurance services to Saskatchewan families and businesses at the lowest possible cost.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 13

“EC05-9. Reviewing Regulations to Remove Barriers to Sustainable Growth – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will mandate Enterprise Saskatchewan to review all government regulations every five years to eliminate barriers to environmentally sustainable economic growth.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 15

“CC05-6. Stopping Provincial Government Competition With Private Sector Businesses – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will immediately review provincial government competition with the private sector through government departments, agencies and Crown corporations in the delivery of services to the people of Saskatchewan.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 30

“EC05-8. Performing a Service-Based Review of Government Operations – Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will perform a service-based review of government operations to ensure all parts of government are…Removing barriers to the development of an entrepreneurial and enterprising economy.”
– Saskatchewan Party Policy Book (February 2007) p. 30

Saskatchewan Party platform misleading voters on Crowns; Enterprise Saskatchewan lacks transparency; social policies overlooked; TILMA revisited

The Saskatchewan Party continues to mislead the public on its plans for the province’s Crown corporations. It is also failing to be transparent with its Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme.

On October 19, 2007, Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall released the entire Saskatchewan Party election platform. Called Securing the Future – New Ideas for Saskatchewan the plan includes a four year fiscal forecast (2008-09 to 2011-12).

On the subject of Crown corporations the platform states:

“In 2004, the Saskatchewan Party voted in the Legislature to support the Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act.” [Page 29]

“A Saskatchewan Party government will keep our Crowns publicly owned and ensure that Saskatchewan people continue to enjoy high quality utility services at the lowest cost.” [Page 30]

The platform discusses SaskTel, SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SGI. No other Crown corporations seem to be mentioned. What the Saskatchewan Party is not telling voters, though, is that these are the only Crown corporations it supports keeping publicly owned. The local media, who seem to favour donating to the party, do not report this.

The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act, which the party claims to support, applies to Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, Liquor and Gaming Authority, Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Saskatchewan Telecommunications, Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation, Saskatchewan Transportation Company, Saskatchewan Water Corporation, SaskEnergy Incorporated, SGC Holdings Inc. and TransGas Limited.

As one can plainly see the list goes well beyond the four major Crowns that Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall seems to only mention.

The legislation leaves out Crowns such as the Saskatchewan Research Council and the Saskatchewan Communications Network. This is because selling off a major portion of a Crown without fully privatizing the company would require the same legislative process under the Act.

The Act received second reading on November 22, 2004. Prior to the vote Wayne Elhard, the Saskatchewan Party MLA for Cypress Hills, spoke on behalf of the party: “For the record, Mr. Speaker, the Saskatchewan Party supports this Bill. The Saskatchewan Party supports the continued public ownership of the major Crowns.”

Elhard also stated:

“Mr. Speaker, the Saskatchewan Party believes it is the role of government to provide essential services like power, like gas, like insurance, like telecommunications services, but they need to be directed to the people of Saskatchewan at the lowest possible cost.”

“Therefore, Mr. Speaker, the Saskatchewan Party supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act and commits to the people of Saskatchewan that a Saskatchewan Party government will keep the major Crowns publicly owned while focusing on providing the best possible service to Saskatchewan people, Mr. Speaker, all the while at the lowest possible cost. Thank you.”

Elhard only named the four major Crowns – power, gas, insurance and telecommunications services. The Saskatchewan Party Policy Book is no different.

Policy resolution CC05-1: Keeping the Major Crowns Public states:

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government supports The Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act and will retain public ownership of our major Crown corporations as important tools in the provision of utility services to Saskatchewan families and businesses and important partners in the economic development of Saskatchewan.”

Policy resolution EC05-3: Establishing the Right Economic Development Priorities states in part:

“Be it resolved that the economic development priorities of a Saskatchewan Party government will be to:

d) Maintain public ownership of Saskatchewan’s major crown utilities focused on the provision of power, telecommunications services, natural gas transmission and distribution and insurance services to Saskatchewan families and businesses at the lowest possible cost.”

It’s clear that the Saskatchewan Party only supports keeping the four major Crown utilities publicly owned. Leader Brad Wall and the rest of his party are silent on the fate of the rest. Why? Could it be because a Saskatchewan Party government would amend the Act so it can begin dismantling them?

ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN

On the Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme the Saskatchewan Party platform states:

“A Saskatchewan Party government will create Enterprise Saskatchewan, a new public-private partnership between government, business, labour, First Nations, municipalities, post-secondary institutions and economic stakeholders. Enterprise Saskatchewan will be Saskatchewan’s central economic development agency.” [Page 18]

“Enterprise Saskatchewan teams will review key sectors of Saskatchewan’s economy, to identify barriers to growth and make recommendations to government for their removal.” [Page 19]

According to leader Brad Wall’s The Promise of Saskatchewan: A New Vision for Saskatchewan’s Economy (Sept. 2004), under Enterprise Saskatchewan the government “will cede significant control over the formation and implementation of economic development strategies to a broad partnership of economic stakeholders with the full support of the Premier and Executive Council.”

“Its board will represent both government and the aforementioned partners, with the chairperson coming from the non-government members of the board.”

“Rather than taking direction from government” Wall’s non-elected Enterprise Saskatchewan partners “will establish provincial economic development goals and strategies for endorsement by Cabinet and the Legislature. Government departments; agencies and, in some cases, Crown corporations, will then be tasked with implementing these strategies.”

One of Enterprise Saskatchewan’s key functions will be to “develop a systematic and ongoing process to identify and remove barriers to growth in each of our key economic sectors.”

Wall’s plan, however, lacks any credibility because his “vision” pre-determines what the alleged barriers are and what the outcomes are expected to be. (See page five of Wall’s Dec. 8, 2005, speech to the North Saskatoon Business Association for an example.)

Furthermore, when it comes to the finer details of the plan there appears to be no transparency.

The Saskatchewan Party has not released the complete terms of reference for Enterprise Saskatchewan or clearly explained the process of how its chair, vice-chair and members of the board will be selected.

Wall has not said whether the Enterprise Saskatchewan board meetings and its agendas will be open to the public.

To date Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall has not supplied a definitive list of the groups that will comprise the Enterprise Saskatchewan board. At this juncture it appears that Enterprise Saskatchewan will be little more than a front for the party’s corporate friends (i.e. Canadian Federation of Independent Business & Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce etc). After all, it’s business that provides the bulk of the party’s donations – not to mention the media who are also well represented.

SOCIAL ISSUES

The Saskatchewan Party platform appears to be light on social issues. Aside from high profile ticket items like health and education, the party says it “will provide an additional $2-million in over the next four years to community schools across the province for school lunch and anti-hunger programs” and “an additional $20-million over four years to food banks and community based organizations that provide life skills, development and employment training to under-skilled individuals.”

Page fifteen notes: “A Saskatchewan Party government will empower community based organizations, by holding a summit of community based organizations within the first six months of a Saskatchewan Party government to develop a new social policy direction for Saskatchewan.”

Page thirty-four indicates that a Saskatchewan Party government will provide an additional $16-million in funding over four years for more addiction treatment beds and services.

There doesn’t appear to be much more.

However, this is what the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book states:

SC05-9. Addressing Food and Hunger Issues

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will address food and hunger issues in the province by:

a) Increasing the food allowance for social assistance recipients; and
b) Ensuring a portion of social assistance received by families is dedicated to food funding.”

SC05-5. Supporting the Transition from Social Assistance to Employment

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will promote economic self-sufficiency and support the transition of people from social assistance to full employment by:

a) Ensuring training programs are delivered with the input of employers and are geared towards local labour market needs;
b) Increasing the amount a recipient can earn from employment while on assistance; and
c) Removing barriers to make it easier to move from welfare to work.”

SC05-6. Increasing Support for Persons with Permanent Disabilities

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will increase assistance and establish a distinct funding mechanism to support individuals with permanent disabilities.”

SC05-7. Building Partnerships to Deliver Employment Programs for Persons with Disabilities

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will work in partnership with local community organizations and businesses to determine how best to deliver employment programs to persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.”

SC05-8. Implementing a Strategy to Reduce the Use of Crystal Meth and Other Addictive Substances

“Be it resolved the Saskatchewan Party government will implement a strategy to reduce the use of crystal meth and other addictive substances, including:

a) Assisting families, communities and schools to get the information they need to combat the dangers of crystal meth by facilitating public awareness, providing a list of expert speakers in the field of law enforcement and drug awareness and ensuring parents have access to the material they need to work together;

b) Implementing a specific crystal meth strategy, including an awareness program, mandated for use in schools;

c) Improving treatment for those suffering because of addiction to crystal meth, or other drugs made cheaper by its arrival on our streets. This will include:

i) An addictions treatment program specifically for children;

ii) Centres capable of treating individuals for extended periods;

iii) A treatment system prepared to meet current and future demands;

iv) Safe houses for at risk individuals waiting to get into treatment centres; and

v) Family counseling.

d) Re-establishing an independent addictions foundation, staffed by experts specializing in upto-date treatment options; and

e) Lobbying the federal government to give police the enforcement tools needed to stop the proliferation of crystal meth and other addictive substances.”

A Saskatchewan Party government will ensure “that social assistance recipients who make the transition to work have access to the necessary financial resources to pay for initial work related expenses.” [Page 83]

GM05-1. Studying the Social Impact of Gaming to Inform Future Gaming Strategy

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will honour all existing casino development agreements but will complete a comprehensive study of the social impact that gaming expansion is having on Saskatchewan before considering the approval of any further casino developments or expansion in the number of VLTs operating in Saskatchewan and release the study to the public.”

GM05-2. Dedicated Funding for Addictions Treatment Programs and Facilities

“Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will dedicate a percentage of liquor and gaming revenues to addictions programs and facilities.”

None of these policies seemed to make the final cut. No explanation is given why.

TILMA

In 2006, Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall unequivocally supported and endorsed the BC-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement in its present form. He berated Premier Lorne Calvert for not signing it. On June 28, 2007, he flip-flopped.

Page twenty-one of the Saskatchewan Party platform states:

“A Saskatchewan Party government will reduce interprovincial trade barriers” and “will be an active participant in inter-provincial Western Canadian initiatives that expand economic opportunity, improve the effectiveness of public services and enhance security for Saskatchewan people, including initiatives related to: Protecting and furthering Western Canadian interests within Confederation…”

The Saskatchewan Party Policy Book is blunter:

IG05-4. Eliminating Barriers to Growth
Be it resolved that a Saskatchewan Party government will work with other provinces to standardize provincial regulations and eliminate barriers to growth.

In other words TILMA: The Sequel.

Saskatchewan Conservative MPs donate to Saskatchewan Party; candidate incredibly denies ties between the two

Nancy Heppner, Saskatchewan Party candidate for Martensville

According to the Saskatchewan Party’s Registered Political Party’s Fiscal Period Returns for 2004, 2005 & 2006, four sitting federal conservative MPs contributed to the party yet Martensville candidate Nancy Heppner is quoted in today’s Saskatoon StarPhoenix saying that there is no link between the two.

In Speech interjects Ottawa into campaign (SP Oct. 18, 2007), Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk reported that Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall “mostly brushed off reporters’ questions about the throne speech and [Conservative Prime Minister Stephen] Harper’s potential impact on the provincial campaign. And one of Wall’s MLAs denied her party has any relationship with Harper.

“There are no ties between the Saskatchewan Party and the Conservative government,” said Rosthern candidate Nancy Heppner, who left her job as a Harper communication strategist to run for the Saskatchewan Party. “We are completely independent of each other.”

The Saskatchewan Party’s annual returns to Elections Saskatchewan, however, show that the following four individuals contributed to the Saskatchewan Party and are Saskatchewan Conservative MPs in Stephen Harper’s government:

Carol Skelton – Conservative MP for Saskatoon–Rosetown–Biggar.
Apparently donated $526.11 in 2004; $702.85 in 2005 and made at least two donations in 2006, one for $765.71 and another for $400.00. Heppner was Skelton’s constituency assistant and also worked in both Opposition and the Prime Minister’s Office with the Conservative Party of Canada.

Bradley Trost – Conservative MP for Saskatoon–Humboldt.
Appears to have made one donation for $400.00 in 2006.

Lynne Yelich – Conservative MP for Blackstrap.
Records show one contribution of $293.46 in 2004.

Tom Lukiwski – Conservative MP for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre.
Two contributions are recorded: $290.00 in 2005 and $295.11 in 2006. Lukiwski served as the Executive Director of the former Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan and General Manager of the Saskatchewan Party.

It should be noted that the returns filed with Elections Saskatchewan show only the names of those individuals and corporations that contributed more than $250.00. It is certainly conceivable that other conservative MPs could have contributed lesser amounts but only the Saskatchewan Party would have that information.

For the sake of transparency and honesty perhaps the Saskatchewan Party should release all the names of its contributors between 2004 and 2006.

Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall: Who is he and do we want such an abysmally unaware person as premier of Saskatchewan?

The Saskatchewan Party recently launched a redesigned website and in the process appears to have removed – without explanation – the speeches given by party leader Brad Wall since 2004. These include:

2007 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Regina
April 24, 2007

2007 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Saskatoon
March 8, 2007

2006 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Regina
April 4, 2006

2006 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Saskatoon
March 2, 2006

2006 Saskatchewan Party Annual Convention
Keynote Address, February 11, 2006

2005 Saskatchewan Party Annual Convention
Keynote Address, February 5, 2005

2005 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Saskatoon
March 2, 2005

2004 Saskatchewan Party Leader’s Dinner, Calgary
November 25, 2004

Additionally, the old homepage used to contain a prominent link to the Saskatchewan Party Policy Book. This has been deleted and the document buried deep within the site. It can now be found via the following path: Home>Team>The Party

The link to the document is at the bottom of the page and reads:

“February 6, 2005 - A policy renewal package is debated and passed by party membership at the 2005 Annual Convention.”

With the election underway the level of public scrutiny has increased. As a result it seems the Saskatchewan Party buried some documents and removed others completely. The policy book is probably the one crucial document that should be read. It, along with the December 8, 2005, speech given by Wall to the North Saskatoon Business Association (still available on the Sask. Party Caucus website), give a good indication of what damage can be expected should the party form the next government. That the party is making it hard to find says a lot.

Below is a great article on Brad Wall by John F. Conway that appeared in Planet S Magazine a few months after the 2003 provincial election. Conway’s observations and concerns then are just as valid today. Wall’s “life before politics” bio is still short on meaningful detail and the media bias in favour of the party remains.


Planet S Magazine, April 15, 2004

Wall’s World
JUST WHO IS BRAD WALL, ANYWAY?
by John F. Conway

Brad Wall’s official biography – which you can find posted on his website, www.bradwall.com – is not packed with information. Indeed, what’s most interesting about it is its conspicuous lack of detail.

But certain things are well known about Wall – and they don’t cast the newly-crowned leader of the official opposition in a positive light. Now that Wall is officially leading the Saskatchewan Party into battle against the NDP, it’s worth taking another look at Saskatchewan’s Great Right Hope.

Ideologically, Wall is a fanatical free enterpriser who backs private sector solutions to social problems. For example, in a press scrum on the day he was acclaimed as leader, he suggested that innovative free enterprisers could solve the problems (presumably financial) of single parent mothers. I’m not clear on how that’s supposed to work; perhaps Wall figures when someone in difficult circumstances is left alone by the nanny state (presumably by having the government programs and supports that make their lives manageable slashed), they’ll be better able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

The mind boggles at this insightful social policy idea.

Then there’s his stance on the crowns. As Crown Corporations critic before the last election, Wall was a leading advocate of privatization, lamenting that “profligate government intervention in the economy” leads to “lost opportunities,” and insisting “private sector investment drives economic growth.”

One presumes that crown activities somehow do not constitute economic activity or growth in Wall’s world. This makes sense, given his ideology; if there is no private profit there clearly can be no economic activity going on.

Ironically, while Brad Wall’s entire adult life has been driven by a devotion to extremely conservative politics, most of his working life has been devoted to political rather than entrepreneurial jobs. Sucking on the public nipple rather than engaging in the risk-taking, swashbuckling, private sector activity he constantly extols has characterized most of his working life. In a sense, in his political speeches, Wall bites the breast that feeds him.

WALL’S RANCH

After graduating from university, Brad Wall went off to work for Tory MP Geoff Wilson in Ottawa, where he co-founded the Alliance for the Future of Young Canadians – a rabidly pro-Free Trade lobby organization with strong links to the Mulroney Tories and the corporate sector. He then returned to Saskatchewan to work in the Devine government as executive assistant to Tory cabinet minister John Gerich. After Devine’s defeat in 1991, Wall unsuccessfully contested the Tory nomination in Swift Current. In the 1990s he served as Swift Current’s economic development officer until 1999, when he was elected as the riding’s Sask. Party MLA.

In all these jobs, his income came from the public purse (except, perhaps, the lobby work for free trade, which likely came from the corporate sector).

There is one exception. Brad Wall’s website biography proudly notes, “Brad’s entrepreneurial background [??!!] led him to establish the Last Stand Adventure Company, an adventure travel enterprise that promotes Saskatchewan tourism and the rich western heritage of Southwest Saskatchewan to a growing market in Europe.”

Here, finally, was evidence of Wall’s real world business acumen. A Google search led to a one-page site that revealed a handful of guests at the Martens ranch were happy with the experience. But there is no indication how successful the business has been, or the role Wall played in it or continues to play in it.

So Brad Wall helped set up a dude ranch for Europeans. Huh. Excellent credentials for running the province.

This is just another example of the unnerving lack of detail in Wall’s official and obviously sanitized biography. Furthermore, the biography is evasive, as if Wall had something to hide. Thus Wall’s work for the Mulroney government and Tory MP Wilson becomes “working in federal politics on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.” And Wall’s work as executive assistant for Gerich in the Devine government becomes “two years working at the Legislature in Regina.”

The established media in Saskatchewan, cheerleaders for the Saskatchewan Party that they are, aren’t doing anything to let Saskatchewanians know who Brad Wall really is, either. They’re so busy puffing up Wall by putting an incredibly positive spin on the man they want to replace Calvert, that they neglect their duty to inform the public. Why are no investigative journalists digging up more on Brad Wall? What is the story on the dude ranch? What about the free trade front group in Ottawa, who funded it and did it say?

And, perhaps, most importantly, what is the Brad Wall story in the Devine government?

Brad Wall worked for John Gerich, Devine’s caucus whip and associate minister of economic development and tourism. As caucus whip, Gerich was one of the key architects of the fraud scheme, christened Operation Fiddle by the RCMP, that defrauded the public purse of $837,000. Gerich personally profited from the elaborate scheme. It involved false invoices and an elaborate money-laundering trail which took public funds through numbered companies, then back into the pockets of the individuals involved. There were also envelopes of crisp hundred dollars bills distributed off the books to cabinet ministers and selected caucus employees.

Gerich went to jail for two years less a day for his sins. The judge sternly reprimanded him at sentencing. “Political corruption is endemic to Latin American countries, Asian jurisdictions, and perhaps Eastern European jurisdictions, but never has it been seriously suggested that corruption permeates Canadian politics – at least until a fraud of this scale was revealed,” he said.

Brad Wall was never charged. And it’s doubtful he got any of the envelopes of hundred dollar bills. But did he not notice anything was amiss in this maelstrom of false invoices, secret meetings, envelopes of cash in which his boss was a central player? Was he asked to shred documents? What is the story about his two years in the doomed Devine administration, given his job as executive assistant to one of the key actors in the fraud? Perhaps he knew nothing, noticed nothing. Perhaps he was blithely unaware that he worked daily in a cesspool of corruption. Fair enough. But do we want such an abysmally unaware person as premier of Saskatchewan?

Saskatchewan Party donors: City of Regina, Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium, U of S, U of R, RREDA, SUMA, SAHO, SARM, SIAST, CTV & Rawlco Radio

More than a dozen Saskatchewan institutions receiving public money have some explaining to do to taxpayers on why their names appear as contributors to the Saskatchewan Party.

Under The Election Act, 1996 all political parties registered in Saskatchewan must submit an annual return of the party’s receipts and expenses.

The Registered Political Party’s Fiscal Period Return (E-521) includes information on the contributions to, and expenditures of, registered political parties. The Saskatchewan Party returns for 2004, 2005 and 2006 are available on the Elections Saskatchewan website.

Since 2004, the following organizations and institutions receiving taxpayer dollars in some form or another have contributed to the Saskatchewan Party:

City of Regina – $325.08
Saskatoon Prairieland Park – $2,834.52
Regina Exhibition Park (now IPSCO Place) – $1,300.32
Regina Regional Economic Development Authority (RREDA) – $955.10
RREDA/Tourism Regina – $625.64
Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) – $637.90
Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) – $325.08
Tourism Saskatchewan – $931.36
University of Regina – $5,016.56
University of Saskatchewan – $4,715.92
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) – $746.58
Saskatoon Centennial Auditorium (now TCU Place) – $551.10
SIAST – $726.10
SIAST Kelsey Campus – $257.64
Canadian Western Agribition – $312.82
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region – $637.90
Saskferco – $1,551.28

None of the above appears to have contributed to the NDP during the same time period.

The media is well represented on the list of contributors to the Saskatchewan Party. This would seem to confirm the long-held suspicion by many that there exists in the province a right-wing bias when it comes to news reporting. The list of media donors include:

Rawlco Radio (Saskatoon) – $7,015.24
Rawlco Radio Ltd. – $1,251.28
565509 Saskatchewan Ltd. (Doug Rawlinson co-owner Rawlco Radio) – $22,903.36
CJWW/Hot 93/Magic 98.3 – $515.28
CTV Television Inc. – $2,586.71
Regina Leader-Post – $312.82
Shaw Cablesystems G.P. (operates Shaw TV local news) – $329.14
629112 Saskatchewan Ltd. (CJWW Radio) – $1,217.04

Communications giants Rogers Group of Companies and Shaw Communications Inc. are also supporters having donated $2,710.70 and $3,291.80 respectively.

The lone media donation for the NDP appears to be one made by Rawlco for $1,392.00 in 2004.

From its inception the Saskatchewan Party has been identified with business. In the three year period from 2004-2006 the party received $1,702,683 in corporate contributions, $1,352,684 from individuals and zero from trade unions. In 2006 alone, 880 companies donated to the party.

The NDP by comparison received $646,670.79 in corporate donations, $2,793,847.67 from individuals and just $60,702.90 from trade unions. A mere 52 companies donated to the party in 2006. By far the majority of NDP donations come from individuals whereas with the Saskatchewan Party it’s corporations. This should put to rest the argument of who controls whom. The Saskatchewan Party is clearly beholden to business and industry.

Some notable corporations that have contributed to the Saskatchewan Party since 2004 are:

AltaGas Services Inc., Areva/Cogema Resources, Bank of Montreal, Brandt Tractor Ltd., Calgary Zoo, Cameco Corporation, Canada Life, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Canadian National Railway Co., Canadian Pacific Railway Co., Canadian Tire, Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers, Canadian Western Bank, CIBC (Saskatoon), Delta Regina, Diamond Energy Services Inc., Edco Financial Holdings Ltd., Edco Oil & Gas Ltd., EDS Canada, Enbridge Pipelines Inc., EnCana Corporation, General Electric Canada Inc., Great Western Brewing Co. Ltd., Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd., Hotels Association of Saskatchewan, Husky Oil, Imperial Oil Ltd., JED Oil Inc., KFC, KPMG Chartered Accountants, Labatt Breweries, Loblaw, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc., M.D. Ambulance Care Ltd., Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods Inc., Molson Canada, PCL Construction Management Inc., Petro-Canada, Pfizer Canada Inc., Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, Royal Bank, Sabre Energy Ltd., Saskatchewan Trucking Association, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Saskatoon Hotels Association, Scotiabank, Shaw Communications Inc., Suncor Energy Inc., Westfair Foods Ltd., Weyerhaeuser Canada, and Yanke Group of Companies.

Some notable individuals that have donated to the Saskatchewan Party since 2004:

Stuart Pollon – Chartered accountant, certified public accountant and senior manager with KPMG in Regina. Pollon is a former Regina Chamber of Commerce board member and was Deputy Chairperson of the 2002 Constituency Boundaries Commission. His wife, Marilyn Braun-Pollon, is Vice-President, Saskatchewan and Agri-Business for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The CFIB is closely aligned with the Saskatchewan Party.

N. Murray Edwards – President and Owner of Edco Financial Holdings Ltd. Edwards is a director of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Banff Centre, and a member of the Board of the Canada West Foundation and the C.D. Howe Institute.

Trevor Forrest – Executive Director, Saskatoon Community Foundation.

Shirley Ryan – Executive Director of the North Saskatoon Business Association. The NSBA was one of the organizations consulted during the development of the Saskatchewan Party’s Enterprise Saskatchewan scheme.

Tiffany Paulsen – Saskatoon city councillor and lawyer with Robertson Stromberg Pedersen LLP in Saskatoon, who is also a Saskatchewan Party contributor.

Gordon Wyant – Saskatoon city councillor and lawyer with McKercher, McKercher & Whitmore LLP in Saskatoon, who is also a Saskatchewan Party contributor. Wyant was the business manager for Saskatchewan Party MLA Ted Merriman’s campaign.

Terry Alm – Former Saskatoon city councillor and current Saskatchewan Party candidate for Saskatoon-Eastview.

Mark Regier – Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon Prairieland Park.

Les Cannam – Past President, Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation.

Carol Skelton – Conservative MP for Saskatoon–Rosetown–Biggar. As Minister of Western Economic Diversification (WD) on March 24, 2006, Skelton announced that Saskatoon Prairieland Park would receive $4 million from WD through the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan initiative to add a 50,000 square foot expansion worth $5 million to complement its current 160,000 square feet of all-under-one-roof trade show and exhibit space. What the WD news release did not say was that, according to Prairieland’s 2006 Annual Report, Skelton was a voting member of the organization at the time.

Terry Bergan – President and CEO of International Road Dynamics Inc.

Larry Seiferling – Partner, McDougall Gauley in Saskatoon and past Chairman of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Labour Committee.

Jack Brodsky – Governor of the Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club. Brodsky currently serves on the board of Prairieland Park. He is a Past-President of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve on the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee.

Donald Funk – Friend of Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison and former director of LEAD Saskatoon Futures Inc., a political lobby group formed in August 2003 to unseat Mayor Jim Maddin and several left-leaning city councillors. Other directors at the time included Russel Marcoux (CEO, Yanke Group of Companies & Past Chair, Canadian Chamber of Commerce), Coni Evans (Past-President, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce), Don Ravis (former Conservative MP) and Gary Emde (Realtor).

Dave G. Dutchak – President & CEO of M.D. Ambulance Care Ltd. and President of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Neil Buechler – Board of director of SIAST and Saskatoon Prairieland Park Corporation.

Judy Harwood – Board of director of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and Saskatoon Community Foundation. Harwood is also a former president of the North Saskatoon Business Association.

Peter Zakreski – Former Saskatoon city councillor and senior vice-president of Federated Co-operatives Ltd. Chair 2007 World University Summer Games (Saskatoon) Inc. and recipient of the Order of Canada in 2002.

Walter Mah – President, North Ridge Development Corp. in Saskatoon.

Robert B. Pletch – Chairman, MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP.

Brian A. Barrington-Foote – Partner, MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP.

Graham Parsons – President, Organization for Western Economic Cooperation and former Chief Economist for the Canada West Foundation.

Ray Malinowski – President, Ram Industries Inc. in Yorkton. Malinowski is a former member of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board representing employers and a past President of both the Prairie Implement Manufacturers Association and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

C.D. (Clare) Gitzel – Member of the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board representing employers.

Brad Sylvester – Former director of the Erindale Arbor Creek Community Association and current member of the City of Saskatoon’s Municipal Planning Commission.

Sinclair Harrison – Past-President, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM).

Robert Stromberg – Retired Partner, Robertson Stromberg Pedersen LLP.

Bradley Trost – Conservative MP for Saskatoon–Humboldt.

Lynne Yelich – Conservative MP for Blackstrap.

Tom Lukiwski – Conservative MP for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre.

Daniel Halyk – President & Chief Executive Officer of Total Energy Services Ltd.

Holly Hetherington – President, Executive Source Partners and 2nd Vice-President, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

Hugh Segal – Conservative Senator and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s former chief of staff. Segal is a past president of the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Saskatchewan Party shamelessly exploit Saskatoon Silver Springs community association newsletter to push its conservative agenda

Saskatoon is home to more than 40 community associations. According to the city’s Community Association Volunteer Handbook:

“Community associations enhance quality of life for residents in neighbourhoods throughout Saskatoon.

“Community associations are non-profit organizations that recruit and train volunteers, plan and administer seasonal recreation programs at minimal cost to residents, and work to enhance the quality of life for people living in their neighbourhoods.

“An association may operate an outdoor rink in winter, assist with public meetings on neighbourhood development or organize a community cleanup in spring. Whatever the activity, the goal is to encourage residents to get involved and build a sense of “community.””

Some might think community associations should be immune from the ugliness of partisan politics. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case with the Erindale-Arbor Creek Community Association. Since 2002 the Saskatchewan Party seems to have been exploiting the organization’s quarterly newsletter in order to push its conservative agenda.

The constituency of Saskatoon Silver Springs is one of the fastest growing areas in the province. Located in northeast Saskatoon, the constituency includes the neighbourhoods of Forest Grove, Erindale, Arbor Creek, Silverspring, Willowgrove, University Heights and part of Sutherland.

Erindale and Arbor Creek are among the most affluent neighbourhoods in Saskatoon.

The City of Saskatoon Neighbourhood Profiles – 8th edition, July 2007 shows that Erindale, with a population of 4,359, has the sixth highest average family income in the city at $91,243. The Housing Affordability Index for the area is 0.69. (This measure is an index of average household income for Saskatoon compared to the average house price for each neighbourhood. An index number above 1.0, for example, indicates house prices that are relatively more affordable than the city as a whole. Less than 1.0 represents relatively less affordable.)

Arbor Creek, with a population of 4,654, has the second highest average income in Saskatoon at $99,489 and a Housing Affordability Index of 0.65.

While the large majority of associations in the city appear to draw the line at paid political advertising in its newsletters – particularly prior to provincial elections – Erindale-Arbor Creek seems to have gone considerably above and beyond that with its publishing of a regular column by Saskatchewan Party MLA Ken Cheveldayoff.

Prior to being elected in November 2003, Cheveldayoff worked with Western Economic Diversification as a senior business advisor. He is also apparently the majority shareholder in K & K Cheveldayoff Holdings Ltd. a real estate company developing several Saskatoon properties.

Cheveldayoff’s conservative roots run deep. He was once a president of the Young Progressive Conservatives of Saskatchewan. The October 29, 1987, legislative hansard indicates he was employed from June of ‘85 to December of ‘85 as a ministerial assistant to Sid Dutchak in the disgraced Conservative government of Grant Devine.

In the 1993 general election Cheveldayoff was the Progressive Conservative candidate in the federal riding of The Battlefords–Meadow Lake, which radio talk show host John Gormley once held.

Cheveldayoff has a long history of community involvement including working with Citizens for a North East Collegiate, Terry Fox Run, Children’s Health Foundation, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, North Saskatoon Business Association, Provincial Exporters Association, and is a member of Lakeview Free Methodist Church.

According to his website, Cheveldayoff is also a member of the Erindale-Arbor Creek Community Association.

The association’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (May 2004 Revision 3.0) state that its board of directors “shall have power to do all things necessary for the successful operation of the Association and be empowered to…Ensure that the objectives of the Association are carried out and that the Association operates on a non-political, non-sectarian basis.”

The objectives of the association include: To promote and assist in the development of the education, recreational, and social well-being of the residents within the designated boundaries; to encourage a sense of community awareness and to work to improve the quality of life of the people in the neighborhood; and to promote, develop, and organize recreational, educational, and social programs, facilities.

According to its financial statements the association appears to have received public money in the form of grants for $3,229 in 2006, $3,729 in 2005 and $3,229 in 2004 from the City of Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Party has had a continuing presence in the association’s newsletter since at least the summer of 2002 when a full-page advertisement trolling for new members was published. In the summer of 2004 the Saskatchewan Party Saskatoon Silver Springs Constituency Association paid for a full-page message by leader Brad Wall promoting the party. In spring 2005 yet another ad was published asking members to renew their Saskatchewan Party Memberships. And the list goes on. How this activity might be considered “non-political” is puzzling.

Since the spring of 2004, a column by Cheveldayoff appears to have been a regular feature in the Erindale-Arbor Creek Community Association newsletter. The majority of the time the articles seemed to have little to do with Saskatoon Silver Springs issues and appeared to be nothing more than a cheap soapbox for pushing the Saskatchewan Party’s partisan message. Some of things peddled in Cheveldayoff’s columns include:

Fall 2007: Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall’s tour of the province in August and the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Saskatchewan Party that took place at the Forestry Farm, right in the heart of Saskatoon Silver Springs.

Summer 2007: Complaining about the provincial budget, Murdoch Carriere, the Children’s Hospital Announcement and the Al Gore Speech.

Spring 2007: Scaring people by suggesting that the province is suffering because the NDP is failing to manage the health care system effectively.

Winter 2006: Attacking the Crown corporations saying that the provincial government should get out of business and stop competing with the private sector.

Summer 2006: Complaining about the provincial budget and urging constituents to drop by his office to sign a petition on funding for a Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, or for schools in Arbor Creek and Willow Grove.

Spring 2006: Inferring that the government might not spend $1.5 billion in extra revenue responsibly.

Summer 2005: Promoting leader Brad Wall and the party’s release of its “100 Ideas to Get Saskatchewan Ready for the Next 100 Years.”

Spring 2005: Flogging the Saskatchewan Party Annual Convention that was held February 4-6 in Regina where delegates voted on the policy we will carry the party into the next election.

Winter 2004: Thanking those that attended the Saskatoon Silver Springs Town Hall Meeting on November 4th and asking people to let him know if they share Brad Wall’s vision for Saskatchewan and saying “I know he will be an excellent Premier.”

Fall 2004: Suggesting that the NDP is fresh out of new ideas and providing little direction for the future.

Summer 2004: Complaining about the provincial budget again.

It’s beyond shameful that the Saskatchewan Party would stoop to politicize a non-profit community association’s newsletter so it can further its conservative pro-business agenda.