The Government of Saskatchewan issued a statement in response to the NDP’s call for an emergency sitting of the legislature.

The government says the top issue in the last provincial election was affordability and contends Saskatchewan continues to be the most affordable place to live in Canada.

In the emailed statement the government points to the first bill introduced after the election which was The Saskatchewan Affordability Act that aims to reduce taxes and on New Year’s Day several personal income tax exemptions were increased including for a family of four in Saskatchewan who now pays no provincial income tax on their first $65,000 of income.  The government says that is the highest tax-free threshold in Canada.

The Sask. Party government also described the call for an emergency sitting of the legislature as a “do-over” and says NDP Leader Carla Beck failed to appear for 16 of 25 days of the fall sitting of the Legislature.

Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan NDP says it is calling for an emergency legislative session in light of what it refers to as the situation Saskatchewan residents are facing.

The official opposition pointed to Canada’s Food Price Report where food prices in Saskatchewan are projected to rise by 4 to 6 per cent this year and suggests the provincial government will collect an estimated $25 million annually through its provincial sales tax on groceries.

The NDP also pointed to the announcements last week that rate increases are in the works for power and vehicle inurance rates this year and next.

And leader Carla Beck notes that Saskatchewan residents have also endured 41 consecutive months of rent increases, further stretching household budgets.