Saskatchewan NDP says 1st priority if elected is to slash the gas tax

The Saskatchewan NDPsays its first act if it forms government after the Oct. 28 election would be toimmediately slash the provincial gas tax.

Nicole Sarauer, the NDP's candidate in Regina DouglasPark, made the announcement Friday. The party has previously promised the cut, but had not said it was the first thing it would do.

"We're going to cut the gas tax and we're going to fix health care. We won't waste a second, because we know families need a break on the cost of living," said Sarauer at a news conference at the party's headquarters in Regina.

Cutting the tax would reduce gas by15 cents a litre in the province.

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Saraueralso slammed Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe's announcement, made Thursday, that his party's "first order of business" if re-electedwould be to establisha policy restricting students' use of change rooms in the province's schools to their sex assigned at birth.

"Scott Moe made his number 1priority clear yesterday: no plan to make your life more affordable this year or next year, no plan to get health care and education out of last place," Sarauer said.

As for "fixing health care," Sarauersaid the NDP would end a "culture of disrespect" against health-care workers that she said the Saskatchewan Party has fostered.

Sarauer said the NDP wouldbring workers to the table to hear their proposed solutions to health-care issues.