‘That is simply the worst form of populist pandering. There may be additionally a whiff of political cynicism about it,’ writes Ian Hanna.
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I learn with incredulity the Jan. 4 column on this newspaper by the premier’s former director of digital operations, Dale Richardson, on our province’s present fiscal place.
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Mr. Richardson, whom I do know and whose work I respect, is urging Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Donna Harpauer to maintain saying “no” to these calling for renewed investments in well being and training.
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That is poor public coverage and threatens to additional erode fundamental companies that all of us rely on. “Simply Say No” is likely to be an interesting catch phrase. Nonetheless, it’s a poor substitute for precise governance, which is all about making clever selections.
And as a former authorities communicator myself, I really feel it’s essential to make the case for renewed investments in some essential areas. In training, I consider Saskatchewan is heading within the unsuitable path.
By way of per pupil funding — maybe essentially the most significant metric for figuring out a authorities’s dedication to public training — Saskatchewan has slipped from first to sixth place amongst provinces and territories.
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The funding squeeze our school rooms are experiencing additionally comes at a time when enrolment is growing at document charges. Speak to any trainer if you wish to discover out the sensible penalties of this squeeze in training working {dollars}.
As one Regina trainer just lately advised the Minister of Training: “I really like my job, however you’re positive making it laborious to do.” Towards the backdrop of the dramatic 2022-23 price range turnaround, Richardson writes: “It will be sensible to ship one other spherical of affordability cheques out to Saskatchewan residents.”
That is simply the worst form of populist pandering. There may be additionally a whiff of political cynicism about it.
Handing out cheques to particular person voters is likely to be good short-term politics, nevertheless it betrays a basic obligation of an elected official: making selections that have in mind the collective good whereas sustaining essential public companies like well being care and training.
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Ian Hanna, Regina
(Hanna was a director of communication for the Saskatchewan Social gathering authorities and a director of presidency relations for the Saskatchewan Lecturers’ Federation.)
Peaceable nations don’t want fighter jets
The letter from Roy Schneider of Regina contradicting Prime Minster Justin Trudeau’s declare that Canada is “a rustic of peace” is true and I agree with him that Canada has by no means been a rustic of peace.
So perhaps we don’t want $19 billion value of F-35s. The temptation to make use of them in persevering with to impress Russia and China shall be too nice.
Perhaps we’ll wind up utilizing them in Libya and Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. I don’t recall ever being bombed or threatened by any of those nations.
It’s time for Canada to start out respecting the United Nations Constitution, the sovereignty of different nations and acknowledge that violence and battle is a final resort — not the nationwide pastime.
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Martin Shaw, Coldwater, Ont.
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‘It is time to step as much as the plate’: STF, SSBA name for presidency motion on training funding
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Murray Mandryk: Moe’s $500 cheques mirror Sask. Social gathering’s good timing
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