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What`s Behind the Curtain?
Saskatchewan
2008-08
Daily Online Edition
Saskatchewan
2008-08
Daily Online Edition
SK Economic Fundamentals 2008-08
- Thread starter joeiannuzzi
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City Hall baking a tax formula pie for 2009
For 2009, the city is determining how large a slice of the property tax pie you will fork over.
"Every four years, by legislation, every municipality in Saskatchewan is revalued for taxation purposes," said Joe Day, acting director of financial services.
City manager Robert Cotterill said each year the city and the school divisions require a certain amount of revenue generated through property taxes.
He likened the total amount collected to a pie, in which a small slice is contributed by each individual property owner.
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=158229&sc=4
For 2009, the city is determining how large a slice of the property tax pie you will fork over.
"Every four years, by legislation, every municipality in Saskatchewan is revalued for taxation purposes," said Joe Day, acting director of financial services.
City manager Robert Cotterill said each year the city and the school divisions require a certain amount of revenue generated through property taxes.
He likened the total amount collected to a pie, in which a small slice is contributed by each individual property owner.
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=158229&sc=4
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Government projects record revenue
The Saskatchewan Party government might as well throw away the financial record book -- it can certainly afford a new one.
In its first quarter financial statements released Thursday, the government is projecting that it will take in $3.1 billion more in revenue -- thanks mainly to soaring resource royalties -- than was estimated in the provincial budget passed this spring.
There has never been an in-year revenue increase of that magnitude, with the government`s total revenue for 2008-2009 now projected at a record-shattering $12.5 billion.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...01-e38efb69c01e
The Saskatchewan Party government might as well throw away the financial record book -- it can certainly afford a new one.
In its first quarter financial statements released Thursday, the government is projecting that it will take in $3.1 billion more in revenue -- thanks mainly to soaring resource royalties -- than was estimated in the provincial budget passed this spring.
There has never been an in-year revenue increase of that magnitude, with the government`s total revenue for 2008-2009 now projected at a record-shattering $12.5 billion.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...01-e38efb69c01e
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Five casinos claim $60M profit
SASKATOON -- The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) raked in record profits of more than $60 million in the last fiscal year, said the corporation`s CEO.
"It`s been a tremendously successful year for us," SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen told reporters Thursday morning.
SIGA`s five casinos, located in Prince Albert, North Battleford, Yorkton, the White Bear First Nation and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon, took in record revenue of $191 million and had record profits of $60.2 million.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...5c-15344a98a686
SASKATOON -- The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) raked in record profits of more than $60 million in the last fiscal year, said the corporation`s CEO.
"It`s been a tremendously successful year for us," SIGA president and CEO Zane Hansen told reporters Thursday morning.
SIGA`s five casinos, located in Prince Albert, North Battleford, Yorkton, the White Bear First Nation and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon, took in record revenue of $191 million and had record profits of $60.2 million.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...5c-15344a98a686
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Developers seek zoning approval
Developers of a major retail-office-hotel-restaurant project at the old Real Canadian Superstore site in central Regina will be seeking zoning approval at city hall next week.
But the Regina Downtown organization is opposed to part of the requested zoning approval for the property, at the corner of Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue.
Michael Huber, the executive director of Regina Downtown, said the organization is specifically concerned by the request by developers for general approval to potentially develop substantially more office space on the project than would be permitted under existing zoning rules.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...22-46577185b876
Developers of a major retail-office-hotel-restaurant project at the old Real Canadian Superstore site in central Regina will be seeking zoning approval at city hall next week.
But the Regina Downtown organization is opposed to part of the requested zoning approval for the property, at the corner of Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue.
Michael Huber, the executive director of Regina Downtown, said the organization is specifically concerned by the request by developers for general approval to potentially develop substantially more office space on the project than would be permitted under existing zoning rules.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...22-46577185b876
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Oil boom is costly for renters
Weyburn renters -- like their counterparts in Regina and Saskatoon -- aren`t immune to the rising costs of progress during Saskatchewan`s economic boom.
Charlie Hoskins, who shares a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, said in the past 14 months, his rent has increased by $170. The latest hike took effect Aug. 1 bringing his monthly rent up to $780, he said.
"I moved here in June 1995. I`m coming up on 81 shortly and I would like to be able to relax and take it easy instead of having somebody hounding me all the time to pay more rent. My pension doesn`t go up that much. They have got you over a barrel because there is nowhere else to go down here.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d0-afcfe5564c66
Weyburn renters -- like their counterparts in Regina and Saskatoon -- aren`t immune to the rising costs of progress during Saskatchewan`s economic boom.
Charlie Hoskins, who shares a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, said in the past 14 months, his rent has increased by $170. The latest hike took effect Aug. 1 bringing his monthly rent up to $780, he said.
"I moved here in June 1995. I`m coming up on 81 shortly and I would like to be able to relax and take it easy instead of having somebody hounding me all the time to pay more rent. My pension doesn`t go up that much. They have got you over a barrel because there is nowhere else to go down here.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...d0-afcfe5564c66
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Kindersley is booming, but so is the drug trade
KINDERSLEY -- Mayor John Boquist and his councillors gathered for a meeting July 14 with an RCMP officer, the high school principal and an addictions worker.
At this meeting, the subject was not street cleaning, park maintenance or property tax.
"We were updating them on the drug situation here. The problem is growing. It`s in every community in the area," Staff Sgt. Wally Lynds said.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...f1-9208f85e2b90
KINDERSLEY -- Mayor John Boquist and his councillors gathered for a meeting July 14 with an RCMP officer, the high school principal and an addictions worker.
At this meeting, the subject was not street cleaning, park maintenance or property tax.
"We were updating them on the drug situation here. The problem is growing. It`s in every community in the area," Staff Sgt. Wally Lynds said.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...f1-9208f85e2b90
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Few U.S. travellers in Sask.
Looks like playing the licence plate game won`t be as much fun passing the time in the car this summer since the number of Americans travelling in the province is down.
"We are about to see an influx of American travellers who come through this time every year on their way back from Alaska. Other than those, no, we have not seen a lot," said Peggy Henderson, visitor services manager at Tourism Regina.
The amount of American travellers to the province was down in July by 30 per cent compared to last year. June saw a 26-per-cent decrease and a four-per-cent decrease in May.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...19-2ee67fa67b1e
Looks like playing the licence plate game won`t be as much fun passing the time in the car this summer since the number of Americans travelling in the province is down.
"We are about to see an influx of American travellers who come through this time every year on their way back from Alaska. Other than those, no, we have not seen a lot," said Peggy Henderson, visitor services manager at Tourism Regina.
The amount of American travellers to the province was down in July by 30 per cent compared to last year. June saw a 26-per-cent decrease and a four-per-cent decrease in May.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...19-2ee67fa67b1e
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House prices dropping, but average higher than last year`s
House prices have started to fall in Saskatoon.
It`s still about 20 per cent higher than it was at the same time last year, but the average sale price of residential property in Saskatoon last month was $292,428, according to new statistics released Friday by the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors.
In June, the average price was $310,386 -- nearly $18,000 higher, according to the SRAR`s Web site.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...ea-e1ee3616db51
House prices have started to fall in Saskatoon.
It`s still about 20 per cent higher than it was at the same time last year, but the average sale price of residential property in Saskatoon last month was $292,428, according to new statistics released Friday by the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors.
In June, the average price was $310,386 -- nearly $18,000 higher, according to the SRAR`s Web site.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...ea-e1ee3616db51
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Potash exploration hot around Regina
REGINA -- Potash exploration rights are selling like hot cakes in Saskatchewan, with several sites in the Regina area and nearby Belle Plaine being eyed as possible sites for new, billion-dollar mines.
George Patterson, the executive director of exploration and geological services for Saskatchewan Energy and Resources, said exploration permits on about 5.5 million hectares of land have been taken out provincewide by exploration companies in recent months.
That`s way up from the situation as recently as eight months ago when the total amount of permits that had been taken out for potash exploration only amounted to about 200,000 hectares, Patterson said.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...b3-60929c0feee4
REGINA -- Potash exploration rights are selling like hot cakes in Saskatchewan, with several sites in the Regina area and nearby Belle Plaine being eyed as possible sites for new, billion-dollar mines.
George Patterson, the executive director of exploration and geological services for Saskatchewan Energy and Resources, said exploration permits on about 5.5 million hectares of land have been taken out provincewide by exploration companies in recent months.
That`s way up from the situation as recently as eight months ago when the total amount of permits that had been taken out for potash exploration only amounted to about 200,000 hectares, Patterson said.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...b3-60929c0feee4
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Lawn still king around Canadian castles
Lawns are a "guy" thing. There are theories to explain this -- my favourite is that the suburban dad of the `50s craved something he could mould according to his complete will. All day he had to apply his talents according to the direction of some large corporation. At home, his multi-tasking spouse held dominion over domestic affairs.
The lawn, at least, was his. My take on this is that (the din of the mower notwithstanding) lawn care meant some private time away from clamouring offspring and demanding bosses. There are more theories about why
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...62-98985105a68b
Lawns are a "guy" thing. There are theories to explain this -- my favourite is that the suburban dad of the `50s craved something he could mould according to his complete will. All day he had to apply his talents according to the direction of some large corporation. At home, his multi-tasking spouse held dominion over domestic affairs.
The lawn, at least, was his. My take on this is that (the din of the mower notwithstanding) lawn care meant some private time away from clamouring offspring and demanding bosses. There are more theories about why
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...62-98985105a68b
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New company hauling new jobs into community
Melfort, like the rest of Saskatchewan, is booming and no where is this more evident than at the brand new Canadian Modular Manufacturing Corporation (CMMC) facility.
The new CMMC facility, which will eventually employ at least 60 people (37 currently), held a media event on July 25 to unveil their new operation.
CMMC president Guy Luchenski likes the direction that his company has taken and sees real potential for growth here in Melfort.
http://www.melfortjournal.com/Front%20Page/412866.html
Melfort, like the rest of Saskatchewan, is booming and no where is this more evident than at the brand new Canadian Modular Manufacturing Corporation (CMMC) facility.
The new CMMC facility, which will eventually employ at least 60 people (37 currently), held a media event on July 25 to unveil their new operation.
CMMC president Guy Luchenski likes the direction that his company has taken and sees real potential for growth here in Melfort.
http://www.melfortjournal.com/Front%20Page/412866.html
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New housing development under way in Melfort
Regal Homes has started work on a new development in Melfort.
The site of the mobile home development is east of Maude Burke Elementary.
Both mobile home court units on leased lots and free hold owned units will be available for sale, according to Don Anderson, the sales manager with the company.
"They will, at the moment, be all the same design, a little under 1,000 square feet, two and three bedrooms, two baths. In the $80,000 to $90,000 range, roughly, depending on whether it`s the court or the free hold," said Anderson.
http://www.melfortjournal.com/Front%20Page/412871.html
Regal Homes has started work on a new development in Melfort.
The site of the mobile home development is east of Maude Burke Elementary.
Both mobile home court units on leased lots and free hold owned units will be available for sale, according to Don Anderson, the sales manager with the company.
"They will, at the moment, be all the same design, a little under 1,000 square feet, two and three bedrooms, two baths. In the $80,000 to $90,000 range, roughly, depending on whether it`s the court or the free hold," said Anderson.
http://www.melfortjournal.com/Front%20Page/412871.html
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Community welcomes opening of new shortline railway By Matthew Liebenberg
The newest shortline railway in Saskatchewan received an enthusiastic welcome from the community last Thursday.
After receiving its locomotive earlier this month, Torch River Rail`s grand opening ceremony on July 24 celebrated the start of its operations. Pulling 12 railway cars, the locomotive left Nipawin in the morning for a trip along the almost 45 kilometres of the company`s newly acquired line.
While the train rolled slowly across the old Nipawin bridge, onlookers waved and took pictures. In White Fox residents were at hand to witness the train`s arrival and enjoy coffee with donuts. The train then continued to its final destination in Choiceland, where a large crowd gathered for the official ceremony and ribbon cutting.
http://www.nipawinjournal.com/News/412880.html
The newest shortline railway in Saskatchewan received an enthusiastic welcome from the community last Thursday.
After receiving its locomotive earlier this month, Torch River Rail`s grand opening ceremony on July 24 celebrated the start of its operations. Pulling 12 railway cars, the locomotive left Nipawin in the morning for a trip along the almost 45 kilometres of the company`s newly acquired line.
While the train rolled slowly across the old Nipawin bridge, onlookers waved and took pictures. In White Fox residents were at hand to witness the train`s arrival and enjoy coffee with donuts. The train then continued to its final destination in Choiceland, where a large crowd gathered for the official ceremony and ribbon cutting.
http://www.nipawinjournal.com/News/412880.html
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Revenue hike will force gov`t to juggle demands
REGINA (SNN) -- After years of belt-tightening, fat resource revenues are feeding billions more than expected into the provincial government belly -- and there`s no shortage of places to burn off the cash.
A number of items are on the public wish list in the wake of revised provincial revenue projections, placing many expectations on the Saskatchewan Party government, said University of Regina political scientist Jeremy Rayner.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...8a-36fa2ac286f3
REGINA (SNN) -- After years of belt-tightening, fat resource revenues are feeding billions more than expected into the provincial government belly -- and there`s no shortage of places to burn off the cash.
A number of items are on the public wish list in the wake of revised provincial revenue projections, placing many expectations on the Saskatchewan Party government, said University of Regina political scientist Jeremy Rayner.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...8a-36fa2ac286f3
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Steelworkers union, Potash Corp to resume talks this week
SASKATOON -- Negotiators from United Steelworkers (USW) District Three and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan expect to head back to the bargaining table this week now that an Ontario mediator is assisting with discussions.
Vic Pathe met with PotashCorp, the largest fertilizer producer in the world, on Monday and is expected to meet with the union today, said Lee Edwards, staff representative and negotiator with the USW.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...31-c00ae5e96dd7
SASKATOON -- Negotiators from United Steelworkers (USW) District Three and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan expect to head back to the bargaining table this week now that an Ontario mediator is assisting with discussions.
Vic Pathe met with PotashCorp, the largest fertilizer producer in the world, on Monday and is expected to meet with the union today, said Lee Edwards, staff representative and negotiator with the USW.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...31-c00ae5e96dd7
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Economic development agencies to amalgamate
MOOSE JAW -- Groups devoted to economic development in communities across Saskatchewan are facing amalgamation as part of an overhaul that even the provincial government acknowledges will cause some growing pains.
But Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said the creation of 13 new "enterprise regions" will build on the successes of the regional economic development authority (REDA) system in place for the past 15 years and allow areas to better compete globally for investment.
The province`s 27 active REDAs will be wound down by the end of March 2009.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...99-a1b3af88a8f4
MOOSE JAW -- Groups devoted to economic development in communities across Saskatchewan are facing amalgamation as part of an overhaul that even the provincial government acknowledges will cause some growing pains.
But Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said the creation of 13 new "enterprise regions" will build on the successes of the regional economic development authority (REDA) system in place for the past 15 years and allow areas to better compete globally for investment.
The province`s 27 active REDAs will be wound down by the end of March 2009.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...99-a1b3af88a8f4
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`Eco-prenurial` offices starting to sprout up
From the return of the cardigan to showering at the office and reduced work weeks, experts say the environment has already altered our workplace lives and is poised to overhaul them completely.
The idea of compressed four-day work weeks to reduce commutes and conserve energy was floated last week by Nova Scotia`s provincial government and at Hamilton`s city hall -- just one of many initiatives employers are considering that will change how we work.
"It`s slow but it will pick up pace," says Bruce Cox, executive director of Greenpeace Canada. "What it really takes, in my view, is management will -- somebody to sit down and say, `We`re going to do this.` "
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...46-51bc0585b4f4
From the return of the cardigan to showering at the office and reduced work weeks, experts say the environment has already altered our workplace lives and is poised to overhaul them completely.
The idea of compressed four-day work weeks to reduce commutes and conserve energy was floated last week by Nova Scotia`s provincial government and at Hamilton`s city hall -- just one of many initiatives employers are considering that will change how we work.
"It`s slow but it will pick up pace," says Bruce Cox, executive director of Greenpeace Canada. "What it really takes, in my view, is management will -- somebody to sit down and say, `We`re going to do this.` "
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...46-51bc0585b4f4
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SaskEnergy offers loan, rebate programs
SaskEnergy is introducing two programs to help customers afford better energy efficiency.
With natural gas prices rising by an anticipated 40 per cent this winter, SaskEnergy will provide a loan program at prime interest rates for purchasing high-efficiency furnaces. The loans, available on approved credit, will be offered through SaskEnergy network members.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...e2-a176a3791678
SaskEnergy is introducing two programs to help customers afford better energy efficiency.
With natural gas prices rising by an anticipated 40 per cent this winter, SaskEnergy will provide a loan program at prime interest rates for purchasing high-efficiency furnaces. The loans, available on approved credit, will be offered through SaskEnergy network members.
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix...e2-a176a3791678
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Housing market cools off slightly
The number of Regina and area homes sold in July continued to cool from the previous year, but the average selling price set a new record for the month, according to the Association of Regina Realtors.
The average price of all residential properties sold hit $247,262 in July, an increase of 40 per cent from 2007`s $176,736, the association said in a news release Tuesday.
Recent monthly averages were $242,981 in June, $235,458 in May and $248,039 in April.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...51-d71215dad593
The number of Regina and area homes sold in July continued to cool from the previous year, but the average selling price set a new record for the month, according to the Association of Regina Realtors.
The average price of all residential properties sold hit $247,262 in July, an increase of 40 per cent from 2007`s $176,736, the association said in a news release Tuesday.
Recent monthly averages were $242,981 in June, $235,458 in May and $248,039 in April.
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...51-d71215dad593