The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) stopped in Weyburn this morning, as part of their Provincial Debt Clock Tour. The clock itself, mounted on the side of a moving truck, displays Saskatchewan's debt in real time.
Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Gage Haubrich, says the tour is meant to raise awareness about the provinces rapidly increasing debt.
“If you look on the side of the truck, you'll see that the provincial debt right now is increasing by about $3,300 a minute. In the drive that it took us to go from Moose Jaw to Weyburn, it went up by about $300,000.”
“We decided to do a provincial debt clock tour this summer because when Scott Moe was first elected, Saskatchewan's debt was about $11 billion and now he's doubled it to over $22 billion. We're saying that taxpayers are demanding an end to the increasing debt, trying to show that the debt clock needs to start ticking down and not keep flying up at crazy rates.”
The number is calculated based on the provinces taxpayer-supported debt, and does not include crown corporations. Haubrich notes the effect of this debt and its interest on the wallets of Saskatchewan taxpayers.
“Every single year taxpayers have to shell out hundreds of millions of dollars in interest to cover the cost of all that borrowing, just like anyone's credit card. This year it's costing taxpayers, $880 million, or $700 per person.”
Haubrich explains they intend to stop in as many communities as possible, having already toured locations like Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Maple Creek. He explains that they are having conversations with taxpayers and attempting to provoke change.
“We're hoping the provincial government sees this and realizes that it is actually a huge problem, and that by going around the province and talking to taxpayers everywhere, that it's time to take action on the debt. For too long, the government has just let it run up.”
Haubrich describes the CTF as a nonprofit organization funded entirely by voluntary donations, and aimed at inciting lower taxes, less waste, and accountable government. Members across the country work in their respective provinces, calling out the actions of their respective governments.