History has claimed the year 2016, and we now enter a new year full of promise and potential, as indeed each new day also brings, and we look forward with some wishes for what we would like to see for our economy and from our leadership, locally, provincially and federally.
The economy in Saskatchewan has withstood some tough times in the last couple of years, due in huge part to the depressed world oil price, along with other factors that affected the economy to some degree, such as the fluctuating prices of commodities.
As 2016 drew to a close, there were hints of some minor recovery in the price of oil, as it rose above $50 and has stayed there into 2017 — but can that price be sustained, and more importantly, can it be improved upon to the point that we might actually see some resumption of activity in the southeast oilpatch?
There is some promise of oil well drilling that is being planned, with Saskatchewan forecast to have more oil wells drilled than Alberta, but only time will tell on that score.
For Weyburn’s city council, with four of seven members brand new to their positions, they will be facing a big challenge with the setting of the 2017 budget. This was a big job for seasoned council members, and will prove to be a big learning curve for our new mayor and new councillors, with the three veteran councillors having a chance to have some leadership as they help out with this big task.
At the provincial level, Premer Brad Wall and his team, including our MLA, Dustin Duncan, as the Energy and Resources minister, will have a fairly onerous task ahead as they also look to put together a budget this spring. They have the unenviable task of dealing with a large deficit, due mainly to the aforementioned performance of the economy, and taxpayers are looking nervously to see what might come down from the Legislature. One of the challenges too will be how to deal with the proposed carbon tax that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is threatening to impose, whether our province is onboard with it or not. Duncan will be in on a lot of those discussions as the Energy and Resources minister, as they consider what (if any) legal avenues they will have to challenge this tax, as it will be very hurtful to this province.
The federal government has some big challenges as they look to encourage the economy to a healthier state. Some of the provinces are wishing that they will not impose their will as Trudeau has already done this past year, but will work with them cooperatively. These are some (but not all) of the wishes for this coming year. — Greg Nikkel
