sluggish economic and population growth, in turning Action Version government austerity and a ‘bunker 2.0 from a blueprint into a working plan ISSUES OF THE DAY: mentality’ among the business community. of action. • Provincial income tax “Improving the attitude of all people in In addition to working on Action • Provincial sales tax the province is a major endeavour, one Saskatchewan , the chamber’s legislative • Corporate income tax and that we all recognize as the first step in lobbying efforts continued unabated in the property taxes making Saskatchewan a leader in year 2000. • Skilled labour shortage economic growth,’’ Davis said in the 2000 annual report. The WCB also came in for criticism from the • Red tape Labour Committee on administrative issues, • Hours of work Along with fostering a change in attitude such as the claims process, rate-setting • PST and GST harmonization through the Action Saskatchewan initiative, methods and its inability to measure the the chamber also needed to continue its effectiveness of programs, like early • Review of the K-12 education system focus on legislative and regulatory issues. intervention. The committee noted that an experience rating system would help bring “We are all aware that change will take rates down, reducing the need for annual place,’’ Davis said. “What we need to do is rebates and payout of excess funds back drive the change by recognizing the realities to employers. of our economy and taking proactive steps The new millennium brought new to lead through them.’’ Having successfully lobbied the NDP challenges for the Saskatchewan Chamber government for changes to the personal of Commerce. New (and newly re-elected) Action Saskatchewan Version 2.0 income tax system, the Finance Committee governments and new premiers required highlighted four sectors as key to the set its sights on business taxes, specifically new approaches and new attitudes from province’s future economic growth: value- small business tax, in 2000. “The main the chamber. added agriculture or agri-value, creator of jobs is small business, and our biotechnology, tourism and transportation. small business tax rate is the second-worst In 2000, president T.G. (Casey) Davis, a in Canada,’’ said Norm Halldorson, Finance lawyer, spoke about the need for The chamber’s five committees – Finance, Committee chair. an attitude adjustment in the province, Economic Development, Education, which had come through a long period of Environment and Labour – all played a role 51 Top left: Political Forum, 1978

Centre: Board Members met with new Saskatchewan Liberal Party Leader Ralph Goodale at the 1981 Political Forum.

Top right: Premier at Political Forum, 2006

Bottom left: Premier at Political Forum, 2014

Bottom right: Premier at Political Forum, 2018

52 But Finance Minister was clearly The Environment Committee continued its reductions in corporate capital and income listening to the committee’s pre-budget broadside attack on the Kyoto Protocol. tax rates, and Employment Insurance submission, as his spring budget reduced “Kyoto is a seriously flawed approach that premiums. Additional advocacy wins for the the small business tax rate from eight to six is not going to solve our problem with Saskatchewan business community were per cent, effective July 1, 2001, while the climate change,’’ Environment Committee increases to registered pension and income threshold above which the tax rate chair Bob Schutzman said in the 2001 retirement savings plan contribution limits applied was raised from $200,000 to annual report. and the small business deduction limit to $300,000 on Jan. 1, 2002. $300,000. The committee lobbied federal and While pleased with the small business tax provincial officials to refrain from ratifying In 2002, the Finance Committee lobbied for cut, the committee expressed the Kyoto Protocol until they had conducted changes to the property tax assessment disappointment that there was no three- more thorough evaluation and consultation system, more venture capital and foreign year plan to reduce general business taxes, and developed a better scientific investment opportunities, and lobbied similar to the personal income tax cuts understanding of climate change. against the negative impact of the Air announced in the previous year’s budget. Security Charge on Saskatchewan. In 2001, the chamber continued developing The challenges and changes kept coming in “Not coming from Saskatchewan The Investment and Growth Committee its strategic plan to ensure the future vitality 2002, but the chamber was well prepared and not born and raised here, the advised government to remove restrictions of the province through the Action with various Action Saskatchewan activities, negative attitude was probably the on farm land ownership and to reduce red Saskatchewan initiative. The chamber also such as developing a report card to largest challenge I dealt with moving tape and border restrictions that impeded helped develop local action committees to measure the progress achieved in reaching here in the 1980s. The attitude was the free-flowing trade corridor with the U.S. spread the message of Action the initiative’s targets and goals of growing government’s role was to solve Saskatchewan across the province, as well the private sector, the workforce and the people’s problems whereas the The economy, which had been stuck in low as engage the public, stakeholders and population. people’s role is to solve their gear for years, showed more signs of life in business leaders in the Action problems…” 2003. The chamber’s Action Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Leadership Forum. The Another Action Saskatchewan initiative was report card showed that private sector purpose of the forum was to reach some to develop a human resources strategy for growth was generally positive, population “I was just pointing out to people, consensus on growing the province’s the province. In May 2002, the Labour and growth had stabilized and stopped hey, you’re responsible. And that’s private sector, capitalizing on demographics Education Committee launched its human shrinking, and the labour force continued to what Action Saskatchewan was and growing the population in the province. resources plan to better match the grow, especially in the youth, seniors and designed to do was to create workforce with the workplace, to meet the rural segments. awareness that, if you’ve got a While Action Saskatchewan was expanding learning needs of Aboriginal people, ensure problem, you solve it.” its scope, the chamber was amalgamating all students learn workplace skills, and build Chamber president Clay Dowling, the Economic Development and Finance partnerships with business, the education president of Ghost Transportation Services Clay Dowling committees into the Investment and system, and governments. of Saskatoon, told chamber members SCC President, 2003–2004 Growth Committee due to an increasing “now is the time to take action to make this overlap in focus between the two In years past, the Finance Committee had province a better place to live, work committees. successfully lobbied government for and invest.’’

53 the respondents indicated that they did not “Action Saskatchewan is a generational feel that Saskatchewan had a climate for project, with the challenge being to The newly formed Human economic investment. maintain the momentum behind it. It will be Resources Committee far more important to take the Action (formerly the Labour In its pre-budget submission, the Finance Saskatchewan message outside of the Committee) took a strong Committee renewed its call for business tax chamber and get people to buy into it,’’ stand against proposed rate reform, specifically lowering the provincial said Zawada. changes and legislative sales tax (PST) by one or two per cent and amendments for the WCB. removed entirely from capital projects. At a board meeting in October, director “These amendments will Ralph Boychuk of Prince Albert provided have huge implications for The Investment and Growth Committee a brief summary of the most recent Action the province of conducted its own survey of public and Saskatchewan report card, noting that Saskatchewan in terms private stakeholders, which determined that the province’s population had risen for of future growth and our Saskatchewan’s key weaknesses were a the first time in seven years due to image as a ‘business shortage of skilled labour, taxation levels, increased in-migration. friendly’ environment,’’ “A turning point in changing the inability to attract entrepreneurs and said committee chair The long-awaited Business Tax Review, the attitude of Saskatchewan people, excessive red tape. The committee urged Mike Carr. heated battle over available hours of work was when the chamber pushed hard the government to review the corporate tax legislation and the Action Saskatchewan for business and personal income structure and identify ways to achieve parity summit, known as The Gathering in tax reform in Saskatchewan. When with neighbouring jurisdictions in order to Saskatoon in October, were the main issues the NDP government of the day prevent the exodus of successful business on the chamber’s plate in 2005. appointed U of S accounting dean and wealth creators, while at the same time and former senior financial In July, 2003, the Action Saskatchewan developing a strategy to attract investment. steering committee was formed to come up The controversy over the available hours of department official Jack Vicq to with themes or objectives to achieve certain work actually began in the fall of 2004 head a tax review commission, the Action Saskatchewan : A Blueprint for 2005 , goals and objectives. These themes when NDP Labour Minister chamber got behind its the economic development strategy included growing the private sector, dusted off some amendments to the recommendations, which were initiated by the chamber in 1999, was the developing good public management, Labour Standards Act that were passed, implemented for the most part.” main preoccupation of the chamber increasing the wealth of the people, turning but never enacted, by the Romanow throughout most of 2004. Aboriginal demographics from a challenge government in 1994. Ted Hillstead to an opportunity, and changing attitudes. SCC President, 2005-2006 At a board of directors meeting in March, The legislation would require employers to In December, the Finance Committee director Craig Zawada provided the board offer additional hours of work – due to conducted its annual pre-budget survey of with an update on Version 3.0, noting that termination, resignation or temporary chamber members, which indicated the major themes, such as concerns about absence of an employee – to the most dissatisfaction with the levels of provincial economic and population growth, attitude senior, qualified part-time employee. The income tax, provincial sales tax, corporate and resistance to change, were still evident bill would cover workplaces with 50 income tax and property taxes. Over half of in the latest version of Action Saskatchewan . employees or more. 54 But the chamber pointed out the legislation highest, at 117 per cent of the national environments so they can attract and would affect more than two-thirds of the average in 2005, to 53 per cent in 2008, retain young employees. employed workforce and half the part-time within ‘spitting distance’ of Alberta. workers. Moreover, employers would lose Another chamber initiative was designed to their ability to use part-time workers to With the notable exception of sales tax create more Aboriginal-friendly workplaces. cover peak demand periods, if they weren’t harmonization, the Calvert government The chamber hosted two Aboriginal emergencies or unexpected increases eventually implemented most of the Vicq Awareness sessions, which helped in workload. committee’s recommendations. And the employers understand Aboriginal culture chamber could rightly take much of the and expectations and aimed to assist More importantly, employers would be credit, having lobbied for business tax employers in creating welcoming forced to offer additional hours of work to reform for decades. workplaces for members of the Aboriginal the most senior, rather than the most community. qualified workers, including students and As the economy began to pick up speed in Aboriginal part-time workers. The fact that the mid-2000s, another obstacle threatened Meanwhile, the province’s economy and no other jurisdiction in North America had to put the brakes on the province’s nascent population growth were showing signs of economic recovery: the shortage of labour, such legislation was seen as another life after a decade-long slump. The Action “The Board’s objective with the especially skilled workers. disincentive to invest in the province. Saskatchewan report card noted that the growth strategy was to put forward provincial population had now registered a plan that would give a guideline In the 2006 annual report, chamber After a concerted lobbying effort by the two consecutive increases. for the private sector to parallel the president Ralph Boychuk alluded to the business community, including the chamber problem of finding, training and retaining efforts of the public sector and set and the opposition , The report card, compiled by Sask Trends labour in a province that had lost key goals. We knew that the Higgins backed down and pulled the Monitor’s Doug Elliott, attributed the generations of workers to other provinces. population was a critical one. When legislation in February, 2005. population increase to a “surge in the “The labour shortage is putting pressure on we said 1.5 million by 2030, people number of people moving to or returning to every industry in Saskatchewan,’’ said at the time said that will never On the other hand, the Finance Committee the province, rather than a drop in the Boychuk, a senior manager with RBC happen, but now it has. We also said endorsed the report of Business Tax Review number who are leaving.’’ Financial Group in Prince Albert. we need to grow to that 1.5 million committee, which was headed by former target. So what do we need to do to Associate Deputy Minister of Finance, The chamber’s approach to the labour In addition, the report card said that the get to those indicators? Housing, assistant dean of the College of Commerce shortage was simple: make workplaces employment rate was increasing among education, all of those important and retired accounting professor, Jack Vicq. friendlier and more welcoming to youth and younger and older people, those with lower measures as a community were Aboriginal people. levels of education and Aboriginal youth. integrated into the growth strategy. In November, 2005, Vicq recommended the I think it was a brilliant plan.” province reduce corporate income tax (CIT) To that end, the chamber launched the In a pre-budget consultation with Finance rates, eliminate corporate capital taxes Youth Friendly Workplace Designation Minister Andrew Thomson, the Finance Steve McLellan altogether and harmonize the PST with the program (YFWD) in September 2006. The Committee urged him to implement the SCC CEO, 2007–present GST. Under Vicq’s plan, Saskatchewan’s YFWD program aimed to help employers Business Tax Review committee’s business tax burden would fall from second- create more youth-friendly work recommendations to harmonize the PST 55 with the GST and further reduce the PST recommendations, reform labour legislation Current and ministerial aide during the rate, as well as reduce the personal income and implement a growth agenda. Devine years, also promised big changes for tax (PIT) rate. the province’s business community. The following year, the electors would pass As part of a coalition of business, taxpayer judgment on the promises made by each and local government associations, the party during the provincial election in chamber also pressed the government to November 2007. reduce the education portion of property “The change in taxes by lowering the percentage paid by With the new year came a new government government has also property taxpayers from 55 to 40 per cent to replace the 15-year-old NDP opened a lot of new doors over three years. administration, a new CEO for the chamber, and the ‘Voice of Business’ and a new economic development strategy is being heard louder and The Youth, Education and Training to replace Action Saskatchewan . clearer than ever before,” Committee launched the Saskatchewan said Dave Dutchak, Business Mentorship Institute (BMI). “BMI is In the 2007 annual report, chamber president and CEO of MD “I wanted to be part of the chamber designed to provide an opportunity for president Dave Dutchak noted that Action Ambulance Care of because it showed the integration successful businesses to assume a Saskatchewan had come to an end in 2005. Saskatoon. and inclusiveness of First Nations mentorship role that allows them to provide “This coupled with the huge momentum businesses and business leaders into advice and guidance to emergent swing in our province in 2006 meant a new the provincial business community. businesses with related issues and plan was needed: one that built on the It really showed that when we’re on concerns,’’ said the YET Committee’s report. foundation of Action Saskatchewan but took us further.’’ the same playing field, we’re equal Also new to the chamber was CEO Steve The Environment Committee redoubled its in a lot of ways. There’s still a lot of McLellan, who spent 18 years with Tourism efforts to reduce federal-provincial As a result, the chamber launched its work to be done. For Aboriginal Regina and Tourism Saskatchewan and 11 duplication and overlap of regulations and Sustainable Growth Strategy in 2007. The businesses, there is still a lot of years in the hospitality industry, mainly as a resolve interjurisdictional issues. The Growth Strategy was designed to help the support needed. But, at the end of restaurant owner and manager. committee would like to see the province overcome challenges and barriers the day, it showed that we’re at the McLellan replaced the retiring Mary Ann implementation of a single-window to sustained economic growth. A number of table and we’re discussing matters McFadyen, who oversaw the chamber’s regulatory system for environmental issues. targets were set for various indicators, that need to be discussed.” evolution from a regional office of the including population, demographics, labour Canadian Chamber of Commerce to an Richard Ahenakew At the chamber’s Political Forum in October, force and GDP growth. In this Sustainable independent, strong and respected voice for SCC President, 2010–2011 Premier Lorne Calvert promised to reform Growth Strategy, it projected that by 2030 the property tax system, boost support for the province would need to have a business in the province. the uranium industry and increase population of 1.5 million. investment in the North, while the In McLellan’s view, 2007 marked the Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall The new Saskatchewan Party government “coming of age’’ for Saskatchewan, with the unveiled a “180-day plan’’ to fully led by Premier Brad Wall, a former election of a new pro-business government, implement the Business Tax Review economic development officer in Swift an economic resurgence and a newfound 56 confidence in the province’s business not have the workplace skills, knowledge At a board of directors meeting in May, community. and abilities employers expect. outgoing chamber chair Dave Dutchak reported that he had met with Premier Brad But with economic growth came challenges, The Human Resources Committee Wall and they agreed the chamber and the namely a shortage of skilled labour and the applauded the new Saskatchewan Party government “needed to work together to suddenly booming housing market. The government for passing Bill 6, which grow Saskatchewan and work on bettering plan to increase the population by roughly amended the Trade Union Act to require some areas like education and health.’’ 50 per cent in less than 25 years would put secret ballot votes for union certification pressure on other systems, such as and decertification and allow employers to In his first-year report in September, CEO education and training institutions, housing communicate directly with employees Steve McLellan noted the confluence of and public infrastructure and the chamber during organizing drives. positive indicators, including strong put its efforts behind advocating that action economic and population growth, low be taken to address areas that would be of Bill 6 also contained provisions to determine unemployment and high labour force concern in the future. essential services for public sector participation rates. employees, which the committee Property tax reform was at the top of the considered necessary legislation to ensure “While the past year has been one of “It had a lot to do with the Brad agenda for the Finance Committee, noting the orderly delivery of services in the event significant growth for most sectors in the Wall’s government that sort of put that 72 per cent of chamber members rated of a work disruption. The changes to the province and while I cannot take any credit Saskatchewan on the map, so to it their highest priority. The committee took Trade Union Act were upheld, but the for that growth, I truly believe that the speak. People were optimistic. There issue with the existing tax rebate system, essential services legislation was ruled Saskatchewan Chamber can,’’ McLellan was a feeling of pride of being in which was conveyed to MLA , who unconstitutional by the Supreme Court said, citing the chamber’s Action Saskatchewan. Successful people was conducting a review of the property tax of Canada in 2015 and had to be Saskatchewan , the Sustainable Growth used to have to hide their success in system. substantially rewritten. strategy and advocacy work to lower taxes, Saskatchewan. I think that’s reduce red tape and encourage changed.” In a pre-budget meeting with Finance If 2007 was the year the economy started entrepreneurship. Minister in January 2008, the gathering speed, 2008 was the year the Patricia Warsaba SCC Chair, 2017–2018 Finance Committee urged the new economy took off, fuelled by higher prices In December of 2008, Dutchak outlined his government to implement the second for most of Saskatchewan’s commodity plan for the Growth Strategy Task Force, phase of the Business Tax Review exports. which included holding forums on three Committee’s recommendations, namely the main topics: housing, workforce and health. harmonization of the PST with the GST. CEO Steve McLellan told the directors that The chamber also planned to hold a Growth he had met with Enterprise and Innovation Summit in fall of 2009 or spring of 2010. The Youth, Education and Training Minister and Enterprise Committee called for a full review of the Saskatchewan CEO Dale Botting about the As it turned out, 2008 would be the last year province’s K-12 education system, based on chamber’s Growth Strategy Task Force and of significant growth for the provincial orci a scelerisque purus. Arcu vitae elementum a survey showing that nearly 80 per cent of reported great support to move forward economy in the decade, as the global curabitur vitae nunc sed velit dignissim. Ultricies chamber members believed students did with the task force. financial crisis in late 2008 would trigger a mi quis hendrerit dolor magna eget. Dignis 57 collapse of commodity prices and recession Force’s community growth “toolkit” and downplayed the distinction of being the first in 2009. submissions to the Provincial Panel on Indigenous person in Canada to lead a Student Achievement that advocated a new provincial chamber of commerce. Indeed, the provincial economy took a model for education in the province. “It’s not that Aboriginal people haven’t sharp nose dive in 2009, posting gross been involved in business. There have been domestic product (GDP) of $55.6 billion, McLellan also noted that the chamber’s many successful First Nations entrepreneurs compared with $65.4 billion in 2008, a Environment Committee was instrumental and Métis entrepreneurs,’’ Ahenakew told decline of nearly 15 per cent, according to in helping develop a new model for The Regina Leader-Post following his Statistics Canada. environment regulatory practices, while election at the annual meeting in Prince the Human Resources Committee’s work to Albert in May. But 2009 chamber chair Holly Hetherington, level the labour relations environment and observed that the provincial economy and remove working age restrictions were “big the government’s finances seemed to be wins for business.’’ weathering the storm that was swamping the global economy. The Youth, Education and Training (YET) With the election of Committee successfully lobbied the Richard Ahenakew as “The Saskatchewan Chamber is a In her Chair’s report, Hetherington reflected government to commit to improve the chair in 2010, the chamber very important organization now on the “whirlwind that started with a global and has been, over the decades. recession and ended with the province province’s low student achievement record marked another milestone In good economic times or bad, and tabling the only balanced budget in the and the Finance Committee saw the fruits in its 90-year history: the in times when our elected leaders at country, and industry signalling billions of of its lobbying efforts reflected in the March first Indigenous leader of all levels are focused on ideology dollars of major capital projects in the 2010 budget, which saw a reduction in the a provincial chamber in and public policy, the Chamber pipeline.’’ size of government. Canada. provides a consistent and relevant voice for business. We have a In his CEO report, McLellan agreed that Dave Dutchak, chair of the Growth Strategy mandate to make Saskatchewan a 2009 “was a good year for Saskatchewan Task Force, reported two major better place to live, work and invest business and great year for the achievements in 2009: the release of the and as such we add common sense Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. community growth “toolkits’’ to 80 “The role (of Aboriginal people) can have an to environmental scanning that The world economic challenges were felt communities and a significant improvement impeding or accelerating impact on how informs public policy. Our century by many businesses but in most cases in terms of population growth. In October the province does. We need everyone old longevity marks our success in were a slowdown, versus a major reversal, 2009, Saskatchewan’s population hit pulling together, succeeding and moving delivering a valued perspective to of fortunes.’’ 1,034,974, a record high and just 9,700 forward,’’ Richard Ahenakew. decision makers across this people short of the growth strategy’s target province.” Certainly, the 2009-10 year was a busy one for 2009. On the positive side, the province led the for the chamber, which saw the tabling of nation in employment income growth at 60 Valerie Sluth “Right People, Right Place, Right Time: Ahenakew, general manager of the per cent from 2000 to 2010, while being the SCC Chair, 2019–2020 Saskatchewan’s Labour Market Strategy,’’ Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert and only province to maintain a budget surplus the release of the Growth Strategy Task a member of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation, during the recession. 58 The chamber’s tax reform project, A Change education curriculum, which had been a ahead for the chamber under the Today for Your Tomorrow , developed in long-standing policy of the chamber. leadership of 2012 chair Fred Titanich, partnership with the Canada West president and CEO of CAA Saskatchewan. Foundation and four other business and During 2011, the chamber undertook the professional associations, would establish a On Track Saskatchewan campaign, a Titanich noted that several chamber strong foundation for the province’s future $250,000 advertising campaign to recommendations were incorporated into growth. The comprehensive review of counteract the negative, anti-business, anti- the new Employment Act and labour growth campaign of the labour groups. legislation changes, while the general Saskatchewan’s tax environment called for However, the chamber’s proposed tax corporation tax rate had been reduced in reductions in education and municipal reform was encountering some resistance the spring budget from 12 per cent to 10 property taxes, personal income tax, from the newly re-elected Saskatchewan per cent, more or less in line with the corporation income and capital taxes and, Party government. chamber’s tax reform plan. once again, sales tax harmonization. “The strategic push towards tax reform In his CEO’s report, McLellan pointed out The Youth, Education and Training (YET) based on the tax plan partnership Saskatchewan was leading the nation in Committee looked at the primary and continues, … but progress is slow, with no almost every economic indicator in 2012. secondary education system and developed visible master plan by the province,’’ He said the chamber’s Growth Strategy in a discussion paper called Student First , McLellan said in his CEO’s report. 2007 set out a series of indicators the which highlighted some of the opportunities province had to meet to ensure its Steve McLellan, SCC CEO, 2019 Saskatchewan would miss if the K-12 Of the seven recommendations from the economic growth was sustainable, system did not operate more effectively. Tax Plan, only one – reducing the education specifically growing to 1.5 million portion of property taxes for residential and population by 2030, an annual increase of With 2011 being an election year, both non-residential taxpayers – had been 1.75 per cent. federally and provincially, the chamber had implemented to date. to work extra hard to get the attention of By 2012 the province was exceeding that The Environment Committee continued its government and opposition parties percentage growth rate and as a result, work toward implementation of the new preoccupied with their respective there were more people living here than at environmental management model and any time in history. campaigns. code for Saskatchewan. But the committee raised concerns about a proposed “super The chamber’s ambitious tax reform plan, Nevertheless, chamber chair Pat Friesen agency’’ for water management, arguing launched in 2010, was moving forward, but reported the chamber had a number of the functions of water supply, water and there was work to be done on getting it successes in the area of advocacy, wastewater treatment, irrigation and implemented. An update on the tax reform particularly in the area of youth financial drainage should be separate from the plan acknowledged that only two out of literacy and entrepreneurship. Friesen, a regulatory functions, which should remain seven major recommendations had been senior executive with Innovation Credit with the Ministry of Environment. implemented, either in whole or part. Union in , said the chamber lobbied the government to create a youth While 2012 marked the 100 th anniversary of The education portion of property taxes had financial literacy program for the K-12 the sinking of the Titanic , it was full steam been reduced significantly, but the promise Immigration Forum, 2018 59 Left: Deputy Ministers at the 2018 of property tax reform – capping taxation of making Aboriginal education and skills CEO McLellan remarked in the 2013 Chair’s Invitational Dinner non-residential properties at 1.43 of training a priority, while the Finance annual report. residential properties – was not yet fulfilled. Committee promoted the concept of a Right: SCC chair Randy Beattie at the Specifically, forward movement on the 2015 Chair’s Invitational Dinner heritage fund for the province. Similarly, the general corporation tax rate Environmental Code and the Employment had been lowered from 13 to 10 per cent The committee, which met with Finance Code were big wins for the chamber. With (versus nine per cent under the tax reform Minister in December, praised nearly 60 current policies on the books and plan) and small business tax from 4.5 to 2 the 2013-14 budget for its balanced budget a solid advocacy program, the chamber helped inform government, and promoted per cent (versus three per cent under the and lower expenditure growth. But, with its work for business. tax plan). respect to the tax reform plan, the committee acknowledged a challenging If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, The Investment and Growth Committee budget meant delays in implementing the the chamber should have been very created the Northern Business Task Force to recommendations, though welcoming the flattered by the 2013 launch of the encourage development of the North and improvements in the property tax. provincial government’s Saskatchewan Plan enhance quality of life for northern for Growth – Vision 2020 and Beyond . residents. The task force would meet in “The year 2013 will be remembered in As chamber chair Marion Ghiglione pointed 2013-14 to develop a plan for infrastructure Saskatchewan for many things but most out in the 2013 annual report, the and economic development. likely… the Riders’ home field Grey Cup win province’s growth plan “paralleled our and the bumper crop. The Saskatchewan Sustainable Growth Strategy. The Voice of The Human Resources Committee Chamber of Commerce may not have won Saskatchewan business – the developed five policies for the chamber’s a Grey Cup, but we won a lot of games, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce – AGM in 2013, including the importance of and had a bumper crop of policy wins,’’ had been heard.’’ 60 Aside from P3s, the Investment and Growth As for the 2014-15 budget, the committee played in the province since its inception Committee talked a lot about productivity, was pleased with the balanced budget, use 95 years ago. including productivity seminars to of summary financial statements (which encourage and assist the business included all government spending and “Despite the fact that we had a federal community and the government to adopt revenues, including Crowns) and lower election and a provincial election, the productivity measures. expenditure growth. But the committee chamber has remained focused on the long noted the province delayed promised term for our members and the province, The Human Resources Committee corporate income tax changes. while being active in both elections,’’ 2015 conducted a survey of members and chair Randy Beattie, President of PFM found that an overwhelming number The year 2014 was another busy one for Capital Inc., said in the annual report. were concerned about a shortage of the chamber, which hosted three policy skilled and unskilled workers and issues events, released several studies and reports, Beattie said the chamber’s new policy around immigration, specifically hiring and developed numerous policy positions development process seemed to pay immigrant workers. and recommendations at four policy round dividends in its first year, which was tables. especially important in a year when two Immigration Forum, 2008 The Youth, Education and Training (YET) elections occurred. Committee was reinstated after a brief The HR Committee celebrated a significant hiatus to focus on youth entrepreneurship, The Youth, Education and Training win, with the distribution of $79 million in including the Aboriginal Youth Educational Committee saw great success in the area of rebates to employers in 2015 by the Project, a program to encourage and train financial literacy, including hosting a forum Workers’ Compensation Board following young Aboriginal entrepreneurs. in November, 2015 for Financial Literacy years of lobbying by the provincial Month featuring a presentation by Jane chamber. The YET committee also met with Ministry Rooney, the federal government’s financial of Education, Saskatchewan Teachers literacy leader. Federation and Saskatchewan School The chamber also commended the province for the adoption of the Boards Association officials regarding the The forum led to the formation of the Environmental Code for Saskatchewan, chamber’s Student First initiative, which was Saskatchewan Financial Literacy Network, designed to “unify and reorient the largely due to the persistent lobbying efforts which was developing a website to serve as education system around what matters of the Environment Committee over the a “one-stop portal’’ for anyone seeking most – the student.’’ previous 10 years. information on financial literacy.

The Finance Committee gave its support to Going to the polls seemed to be a recurring With the election of a federal Liberal the Saskatchewan Futures Fund plan theme in 2015-16, as the chamber dealt majority government in 2015, the chamber proposed by former U of S president Peter with two elections in less than six months: a was faced with the possibility of a carbon MacKinnon, which called for government to federal election in October 2015 and a tax being imposed on Saskatchewan. set aside any excess or ‘windfall’ resource provincial election in April 2016. revenues for debt repayment or the Nevertheless, the chamber kept its sights on In fact, 2016 chamber chair Shawna heritage fund or both. the advocacy role the organization has Nelson, director of sales and marketing for 61 The Indigenous Engagement Charter launch the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon, mechanism to achieve such reductions,” options for the province to successfully and signing ceremony was held in 2020 at the called the carbon tax “the new dirty word!’’ the Environment Committee said in its adapt to any enforced tax. First Nations University in Regina. report. “Yes, we are against the imposition of The carbon tax wasn’t the only public policy carbon tax,’’ Nelson said in the chair’s Instead, the committee established the challenge the chamber tackled in 2016. report. But she added, “it’s our Energy Efficiency Taskforce to advance the In response to provincial Finance Minister responsibility and obligation to our implementation of energy efficiency Kevin Doherty’s call for “transformative” membership to know the full course of measures as the first step toward reducing change in how the government does actions available if one is put in place.’’ emissions through energy conservation. business, serves the public and earns Accordingly, two of the chamber’s five revenues, the chamber and five other expert committees were engaged in carbon In addition, the Finance Committee focused business groups established TransformSK. tax projects in 2016. on the impact, repercussions, and potential opportunities, arising from the Co-chaired by CEO McLellan and Following a survey of chamber members implementation of a carbon tax as Saskatchewan Construction Association conducted in November 2016, the negative prescribed by the federal government. president Mark Cooper, TransformSK held response to carbon pricing came through 60 sessions in 14 communities and received loud and clear. While the carbon tax would only be hundreds of submissions. The resulting imposed if the province failed to produce a report contained 45 ‘Calls to Action’ that “While the vast majority of respondents plan that helped achieve the federal could lead to transformative change in the concluded that reducing carbon emissions government’s climate change goals, the way government operates. was important, almost three quarters committee felt it needed to be armed with opposed the use of carbon pricing… as the knowledge and information to develop 62 While 2015 and 2016 were both election was a tumultuous time with the The chamber also backed the provincial years, 2017 also saw significant changes in announcement by the federal government government’s Prairie Resilience climate the political landscape in Saskatchewan, as of proposed tax changes.’’ Warsaba was change strategy, released in December both government and opposition parties referring to proposals by federal Finance 2017, which would employ “offsets, changed leaders. Minister Bill Morneau to change tax performance credits and emissions-intensity planning strategies of Canadian Controlled targets” aimed at large emitters, without Premier Brad Wall surprised the province Private Corporations (CCPCs). resorting to a carbon tax. by announcing his intention to resign as Saskatchewan Party leader and “retire The chamber mounted a major lobbying The chamber also achieved another big win from politics” after 10 years as Premier in campaign to show that “the business with the announcement in March 2018 by August 2017. Rosthern-Shellbrook MLA community strongly opposed the proposed Education Minister that Scott Moe won the leadership contest in tax changes,’’ including circulating an financial literacy will be introduced into the January 2018 and was sworn in as Premier online petition that collected responses province’s K-12 curriculum during the 2018- on February 2, 2018. from more than 600 businesses employing 19 school year. The announcement capped over 15,000 people. decades of lobbying efforts and The NDP was also in the process of collaboration with educators to develop a choosing a leader to replace , “The changes would have negatively financial literacy program for elementary who resigned after losing his seat in the impacted tens of thousands of businesses,’’ and secondary school students. 2016 election. In March 2018, the NDP Warsaba said. “It was amazing to see the chose Saskatoon doctor and three-time chamber network across Canada speak as Finally, the chamber saw some more leadership candidate as leader. one voice, a voice that ultimately the federal positive results from its Northern Business government could not ignore.’’ Task Force report from 2014, which In his CEO’s message in the 2017 annual proposed 12 recommendations to report, McLellan alluded to all the changes Warsaba also had accolades for accelerate northern economic and social taking place at the provincial and federal Saskatchewan’s departing Premier, noting development. level. that Wall “accomplished much during his tenure, but one of the most important Based on three fact-finding visits to the “This last year was one for the history achievements was the change in attitude north over three years, the task force report books,’’ McLellan said. “We fought federal he was able to instill in all of us. People are focused on increased energy efficiency; tax changes, experienced the change in now positive about Saskatchewan and its improved infrastructure, including all- leadership of both the government and role in the country and the world.’’ weather roads; increased food subsidies, A Blueprint for Saskatchewan Business opposition parties and kept up the pressure and high-speed internet for northern Competitiveness report and media conference with regards to getting Saskatchewan On the climate change front, the chamber communities. businesses a fair deal on carbon emissions released its Energy Efficiency Strategy in regulations. And that’s just some of it!’’ November 2017. The two main objectives of In 2017, the federal government announced the recommendations were to reduce support in principle for the Wollaston Lake Regina lawyer and 2017 chair Patricia carbon emissions, and also increase road, significantly increased food subsidies Warsaba agreed that the “summer of 2017 Saskatchewan industrial competitiveness. under the Nutrition North Canada program, 63 and financial support for high-speed aimed to overhaul the country’s regulatory responded by developing a regulatory increasing trade and market diversification, internet. SaskTel also chipped in with process for major projects, and made a framework that would provide a level removing interprovincial trade barriers and improved high-speed internet service to 26 number of recommendations to remedy the playing field for all market participants, providing more skills training and STEM- northern communities. bill’s many shortcomings. In January 2019, while giving consumers greater choice. based learning in the K-12 curriculum. the SCC also provided additional comment The challenges facing Saskatchewan’s to Senate hearings on Bill C-69. The SCC made a number of Perhaps the ultimate compliment paid to business community seemed to be recommendations, including regulating Beyond 2020 was that some of its mounting at an ever-increasing rate. While firmly opposed to the imposition of safety standards, while phasing out barriers recommendations were adopted in the the federal carbon pricing, the chamber to entry and price controls, several of which province’s own growth plan in November, In 2018 and 2019, carbon pricing and worked with industry stakeholders to were included in the government’s Vehicles- Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan: the Next federal climate change policy, a sluggish promote the development of more for-Hire Act . Decade of Growth 2020-2030 . The growth renewable energy sources and energy economy and rising competition from the plan establishes 30 goals, such as reaching efficiency to reduce the province’s carbon ‘gig’ economy, meant that business owners The icing on the cake for the chamber came 1.4 million in population, creating 100,000 footprint. faced a multitude of challenges. in 2018 after it was nominated as a finalist new jobs, increasing exports by 50 per cent for the Chamber of the Year Award by the and value-added agriculture sales to $10 The resulting internal report, The Renewable But, as chamber CEO McLellan remarked in Association of Chamber of Commerce billion by 2030. Energy Sector in Saskatchewan , provided the SCC’s 2018-19 annual report, challenges Executives (ACCE) for the third year in a row. an overview of the renewable energy sector can also give rise to opportunities. “There The award is presented to a state or and identified barriers and business have always been challenges in provincial chamber in North America that opportunities in the sector. The report will Saskatchewan, but there have always been achieves advocacy excellence for its help guide the chamber’s advocacy efforts more opportunities and as your provincial members, and the Saskatchewan Chamber and public policy recommendations as the chamber, we will work with you to make finished second only to the Hawaii Chamber province transitions to a low-carbon sure we tackle those challenges together.” of Commerce in the state/province economy. category. For example, SCC and Canadian Chamber Indigenous engagement is another “This is a great achievement for us and we of Commerce officials attended a “Day on chamber initiative that seeks to take the are proud to represent Saskatchewan and the Hill’ advocacy effort in Ottawa in May challenges facing Indigenous people in Canada,’’ said SCC CEO McLellan. 2018, in support of the Trans Mountain Saskatchewan and turn them into Pipeline project. This “day of support” opportunities. The Indigenous Engagement In September 2019, the chamber released included meetings with Finance Minister Bill Charter is designed to serve as a roadmap another study, Beyond 2020: A Blueprint for Morneau, Minister of Natural Resources Jim to provide businesses with tools to achieve Carr, Leader of the Opposition Andrew engagement with Indigenous employees Saskatchewan Competitiveness , which Scheer, the Independent Senators Group and partners and assist the business included 24 recommendations in six key and the Steel Caucus. community in working toward areas to assist government in improving the reconciliation. province’s competitiveness. In April 2018, the SCC provided comments to the House Committee on the With the rise in the gig economy, specifically The recommendations include ensuring that Environment regarding Bill C-69, which ride sharing companies, the chamber Saskatchewan goods get to market, 64