Government waste: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) stood alone a few months back in opposing a $3.5 million bailout package for World Wide Pork in Moose Jaw. The struggling pork plant had been shut down for months when the government made an 11th hour cash offer to re-open plant doors.

The logic was simple: If private investors weren't willing to risk their own money, why should the government risk our tax dollars

The initiative to save the plant was spearheaded by the union, which intended to turn the plant into an employee and producer-owned outfit. The province was asked to contribute a $1.5 million grant and forgive a $2 million dollar loan already extended to the plant in exchange for a six per cent equity position.

As recently as June, agriculture Minister Mark Wartman told the Regina Leader Post everything was going great with the plant.

"I'm thrilled that this plant is up and running again in this next week," said Wartman. "Make no mistake, the investment here is well worthwhile."

What did taxpayers get for this $3.5 million investment Well, the plant did open its doors under new management and hired back around 100 of its 300 original employees. Unfortunately, the plant closed its doors just three months later after its board of directors suddenly quit.

Think of it this way: for our $1.5 million cash giveaway and six per cent ownership in a failing pork plant taxpayers paid for approximately 100 employees to have jobs for three months. That's $35,000 per employee.

The question is, what did the government know about this investment, and when did they know it Let's hope taxpayers will get some answers when the legislature reconvenes this fall.

Government riches: The most recent report from the provincial auditor shows the government is raking in more cash than ever before. In fact, government revenues have increased by a third since 2001. The problem is that government spending is also up a third over that same period of time and is rising by 6.5 per cent annually.

The reality is that if spending had risen just as fast as inflation over those years the province would have recorded a $1.4 billion surplus this year. That's enough to completely eliminate school taxes, roll back the PST to 6 per cent and make a huge debt payment.

Saskatchewan needs to do something bold. We have an opportunity to dramatically reduce taxes, cut debt and attract people back to Saskatchewan. As long as the government spends money as fast as it comes in, we'll continue to take baby steps while Saskatchewan youth leave for more opportunity-driven provinces.

Government debt: The provincial auditor also pointed out that Saskatchewan's debt remains too high for a province of less than one million people. The net debt of the province stands at $7.8 billion and is trending downward but not fast enough.

It's time for a legislated debt retirement schedule. We need to treat the debt like a mortgage and budget for debt payments whether the province is booming or not. Resource-rich Saskatchewan owes it to future generations to ensure this province is debt free for times when things aren't quite as rosy.