Photo: Angus Reid

The Saskatchewan NDP says the results of a recent Angus Reid poll show how squeezed Saskatchewan residents are feeling.

The institute reports that three-in-five Canadians are saying they can’t keep up with the cost of living. The most frequent levels of financial stress are being reported in Saskatchewan, as 54 per cent of respondents say this is something they feel “often” or “always”.

NDP Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon says Saskatchewan residents are feeling the effects of a ‘double whammy’ created by the provincial and federal governments.

“The cost-of-living hardship has been made worse, certainly, by the federal carbon tax, which we oppose. It’s certainly been made much worse by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party Government who’ve piled on top of that with more taxes, and bill and fee increases,” Wotherspoon accused.

He adds that Premier Scott Moe could provide relief today by axing the tax on gas and diesel.

“Nearly half of Canadian provinces have suspended gas taxes in light of the cost-of-living challenges. In fact, both of our prairie neighbours, to the west and to the east, Alberta and Manitoba, have acted on this front.”

Wotherspoon urges Moe to get rid of the tax, which is 15 cents/litre. The suggested six-month tax suspension would cost the provincial government roughly $200 million but save Saskatchewan families about $400.

“With the stroke of a pen, they could offer some relief to Saskatchewan people. We think it’s the least he can do,” suggested Wotherspoon.

On a Canada-wide scope, the consequences of these financial struggles seem to have hit the Liberal Party hard, as currently, the poll reports just 57 per cent of 2021 Liberal voters say they would continue to vote for the party.

Also, the proportion of Canadians saying they ‘can’t keep up with the cost of living’ rises to 70 per cent for those whose annual household income is less than $50,000.