75-Minute Debate (18 November 2021)

From Hansard (18 November 2021)

Programs to Encourage Investment

The Assembly was debating the following motion moved by Jeremy Cockrill (Sask Party - The Battlefords):

That this Assembly recognizes the success of programs such as the manufacturing and processing tax credit, the Saskatchewan value-added agriculture incentive, oil and gas processing investment initiative, and the Saskatchewan technology start-up incentive in attracting opportunity to our province and supports in principle the introduction of further programs to encourage investment such as the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation.

Mr. Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I really find it very interesting that one of the most educated members opposite is using the same old, tired talking NDP points through and through.

I’m excited to enter into the debate today. As a newly elected representative for Last Mountain-Touchwood, I’m continuously drawing on my experience in my previous careers. Working across this province in multiple resource projects, I’ve always believed it’s the government’s responsibility to create policy conducive to economic growth. Based on their track record in government, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the concept of economic growth and job creation, it’s a little difficult for the members opposite. I’m going to try my best to break it down for them.

Jobs and growth fund all the infrastructure and the social programs that we, as a province, all enjoy. The Minister of Energy and Resources the other day, she said it really good in question period. It’s not about right jobs, wrong jobs, menial jobs, or green jobs. It’s about jobs. To ensure job creation we must be diligent in growing our industries so that we remain a global leader in development. We want the international community to know that we are not the province we once were when the NDP were in power.

The mineral exploration tax credit, as well as the oil and gas processing investment incentive, can assist in enhancing the competitiveness by encouraging projects in Saskatchewan soil. The Saskatchewan technology start-up incentive, which officially launched in 2018, provides opportunity to early-stage technology that allows for job creation in this province. This incentive encourages investment, diversification, and economic growth, which is what the people of Saskatchewan deserve and expect from their government.

The exciting announcement that occurred the other day about our helium action plan is a perfect example of what good policy can do for our province. The helium industry is in a period of growth in this province due to market factors. The multiple ways in which helium is used is quite a long list. It’s essential to note that it is critical for many applications. Its uses are growing and the use of helium is going to continue growing.

As a province, we’ve always been a producer of commodities, and it is an exciting time when we find we can keep adding value to our raw goods. Canola is a perfect example of this. When it first started being grown in this province, there was zero value added in this specialty crop. Fast forward decades and we will hit our long-term goal of processing 75 per cent of the canola grown in this province. This growth is billions of dollars of value added to our local economy. You really have to note, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this benefits rural and this benefits urban people.

Saskatchewan has over 40 million cultivated acres, most in Canada. We grow a vast amount of canola. Since the launch of the Saskatchewan value-added agricultural incentive, 12 projects have been approved for the incentive in the amount of 472 million. This incentive provides a 15 per cent tax rebated on capital expenditures for newly constructed facilities or facilities looking to expand.

Ask yourself this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, why would these companies not build a canola crush facility in our neighbouring provinces like Alberta or Manitoba? They both have large canola acres. They grow it every year. They’re good farmers. They’ve got the same growing conditions. They’re building here, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because of this government’s use of policy to spur investment in this 100 per cent renewable industry. Who wouldn’t want to invest in this province?

And I talked about this in my Speech from the Throne, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but it deserves repeating. Once these plants are built here, they have to be fixed. They have to be repaired. They have to be maintained. There’s jobs for welders, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, equipment operators. I mean the list is on and on. The true goal of all of these policies put forward by this government is to help every Saskatchewan citizen.

I had an opportunity this summer, Mr. Deputy Speaker, joined by my colleague, the Minister of Environment. We attended the grand opening of the Kihew FabCo shop in Melville. It’s a newly opened piping and structural steel shop in the old Babcock & Wilcox shop in Melville, Saskatchewan.

Now there’s a lot of things I don’t know anything about — tons — but when it comes to pipe fabrication shops, I know everything. This business is partnered with the Kahkewistahaw First Nations to provide opportunities for local band members. I met the chief, Evan Taypotat. He gave just a passionate presentation talking about how his band’s future lies in economic reconciliation, section 92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And he talked about the pride of providing for your family. It’s empowering for all people.

And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Minister of Government Relations talked about this and, you know, it has to be repeated. This could not be a better time in this province to open a new small business in pressure piping. Their services are going to be highly in demand for the upcoming Jansen potash mine, the multiple canola plants, the OSB [oriented strand board] plant. I mean the list is on and on and on.

We produce products in this province highly valued by the global economy. We must realize we’re competing on the international stage. That’s why it’s critical to have a competitive taxation policy in effect. We want these jobs here. We want these resources extracted here, and we want these royalties here. This economic growth that this policy will stimulate is what we need to pull ourselves out of this pandemic spending that was required.

It’s essential to note here, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I know the members opposite talk about this federal funding and provincial funding and everything else, but we need it on the record, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There is only one taxpayer. Programs such as the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Corporation has been encouraging news for First Nations throughout this province.

It’s imperative that we work together with our First Nations to assist in their goals of developing their communities that they reside in. Together with the provincial government and our First Nation governments, we can work together by employing thousands of First Nations people and ensuring that First Nations entrepreneurs are involved in growing a stronger Saskatchewan.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, we want to see advancements in every corner of this province. We want to see communities strengthened, growing, and thriving.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Minister of Energy and Resources said it really good the other day at the helium action plant. Government money follows. It never leads. We need the private sector to attract capital, secure investment, and make it happen on a strict timeline. Private businesses are best suited to do this work, and this government will be there for them.

I genuinely believe we’re on the cusp of a commodity super cycle. All indications show it. I mean the oil is rising, natural gas, uranium. Grain prices are just unheard of. Beef, pork, and even the future prices are rising today.

And we have to talk about the historical precedent, Mr. Deputy Speaker. 1918 was the last Spanish flu, the last pandemic that affected this province. And after that pandemic we hit the Roaring Twenties, and those were the best years this province had. The price of wheat was high. We had record immigration. It was great for the whole province. And I really see history always repeats itself, and it will happen again. The next decade is going to be great for Saskatchewan and great for all Saskatchewan people.

I’m running out of time, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I will be seconding the motion from the member from North Battleford and supporting it wholeheartedly. Thank you.

After the 75-minute debate, there is a 10-minute question and answer period between members.

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question for the member from Last Mountain. His government sat by and didn’t fix business risk management programs for producers this year, despite the fact that the federal government was at the table, despite the fact that producers were united. They left them high and then really dry during a time with a terrible drought.

Further, we now have a time where we’ve got calls from the livestock producers, specifically from the stock growers, calling for the threshold for the farm and ranch program, an important program, to be reduced to $10,000 because right now the Sask Party’s shut out so many small livestock producers with this program, and they need to extend the timeline.

To the member: will he fix business risk management programs? Will he commit to reducing that threshold? And will he commit to extending that deadline so producers can get access to the water they need and deserve?

Mr. Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I can answer this question, no problem at all. I just need a second to compose myself. I’m doing a little bit of fanboying here. To get a question from the longest serving member in opposition to have never served in government is something that is very, very awesome to my heart, so thank you for that.

To the member opposite, our government will support our cattle producers through and through. We put $119 million into that. The program has been very well received by our producers. It has been very cost-effectively used and we will definitely carry on supporting all the agricultural producers in this province. Thank you.

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