January 18, 1999

Dear Editor;

Recently Ralph Goodale, MP published an open letter in Saskatchewan newspapers. Mr. Goodale’s attempt to make it appear as if the federal Liberal government is doing something wonderful for Saskatchewan is pathetic.

What he doesn’t say in his letter that most significant. Mr. Goodale doesn’t tell us how much money is collected from the province in taxes every year but never finds its way back to Saskatchewan. He doesn’t tell us how much money is collected from the province in taxes every year but never finds its way back to Saskatchewan. He doesn’t tell us how much the bloated bureaucracy in Ottawa costs us to administer the programs he lists. He doesn’t tell us how much Quebec and Ontario receives in benefits from the federal government in comparison to Saskatchewan. He doesn’t mention the programs being funded by Ottawa that Saskatchewan doesn’t want. Yes, it is what he doesn’t say that screams to be heard.

Mr. Goodale also fails to put into perspective the statistics he quotes. $200 million for agriculture in Saskatchewan, but over 5 times that much is given to operate the CBC. As well, why doesn’t he mention what the Bombardier Corporation in Quebec receives from the Liberal government compared to the grants given for Saskatchewan community infrastructure projects?

The Canada Council for the Arts gets more than all of Saskatchewan gets for rural development. $135 million has been allocated from the federal government since 1993 for roads and highways in Saskatchewan. Compare that to the 4 billion dollars collected in fuel taxes in 1996-97 alone. Also, why did the Liberals cut back on health care and instead fund a billion-dollar gun registration scheme? Which of those improves our quality of life?

Canadians need to see the whole picture and this is cleverly hidden by Mr. Goodale. It must also be noted that the Prime Ministers announcement of a special 10-member task force on the four "Western Provinces" fails to include a single person from Saskatchewan.

It makes me very angry to see how the Liberals fail to tell us the whole story.

Sincerely,

Garry Breitkreuz, MP

Yorkton - Melville