Saskatchewan government to introduce affordability bill Monday

On Monday afternoon, the provincial government is expected to introduce the Saskatchewan Affordability Act.

The act will make the necessary changes in legislation for the affordability measures Scott Moe’s Sask. Party promised during the election campaign to come into effect. The changes would reduce income taxes by increasing the personal exemption and increasing the low-income tax credit.

Moe made the announcement Monday morning on social media.

Today, our government will introduce Bill 1 of the new Legislature: The Saskatchewan Affordability Act. 

It will deliver on the commitments we made in the recent election campaign to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people. pic.twitter.com/r6Ux2zj2SA

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) December 2, 2024

The premier said the legislation would also double the active families benefit and expand the number of families that can quality for it.

It would increase the first-time home-buyers tax credit, increase the graduate retention program to a maximum of $24,000 (up from $20,000), create a home renovation tax credit, increase a number of tax credits like the disability tax credit and the caregiver tax credit, and keep the small business tax rate at one per cent.

Finance Minister Jim Reiter has said the government wants at least some of the measures to be in place by January to start giving people relief on their income taxes. With the fall sitting expected to last only two weeks, the government will have to fast-track the bill and pass it this week.

The government blocked two motions for affordability relief last week from the Saskatchewan NDP — cutting the PST from pre-made groceries and cutting the gas tax. When asked if the NDP would support the government’s affordability measures, leader Carla Beck said her party would treat it like any other legislation and take a look at what’s in it before making a decision.