Wall begins last political session with throne speech

Prepare for the theatre of politics to come to life as the fall session of the Saskatchewan legislature kicks off Wednesday.

As per tradition, it will begin with the speech from the throne detailing the provincial government’s upcoming plans.

In a video posted to social media Tuesday, Premier Brad Wall said the law currently allowing for the sale of up to 49 per cent of a Crown corporation is being scrapped.

“Saskatchewan, we’ve heard you,” Wall said in the video. “Here at the legislature, in the throne speech, we’ll confirm that our government is repealing Bill 40.”

Bill 40 was unpopular because it not just defined what privatisation meant, but allowed for any potential sale of a Crown corporation without a referendum.

A week before, Wall also hinted that plans to decrease the corporate income tax rate may change.

Talking to reporters at the Saskatchewan legislature last Thursday, Wall said the change wasn’t necessary now that the B.C. government had increased its rate.

“For us to continue to be the most competitive, have the lowest – or tied for the lowest – corporate income tax rate, means we don’t need to lower the our rate,” Wall said.

That may be two major items for the premier, but Saskatchewan NDP interim leader Nicole Sarauer maintained there were plenty of other items that need to be debated.

“GTH, cuts to education, cuts to healthcare – just to name a few things,” Sarauer said.

Interesting times

This session will be Wall’s last as premier having announced his retirement from politics in August.

Four backbench MLAs are vying to replace him. As well, two NDP MLAs are looking to become that party’s new leader.

“If you are interested in politics in Saskatchewan, this session is going to be very interesting,” Wall said. “There are so many different stories. There are so many different dynamics and potential outcomes that are important to the province’s future.”

It was a statement echoed by Sarauer, who insisted that despite the rivalry in caucus, theirs was a united team.

“We’ve all been working together really well as a team and it is a really exciting time in the party,” Sarauer said.

The speech from the throne will be delivered in the legislature at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday.