$13 minimum wage, 48-seat legislature among Sask. Liberal platform promises

Touting a plan that seeks to build a diversified provincial economy, the Saskatchewan Liberals released their election platform on Monday, which includes a promise of $13 minimum wage in 2017 and a legislature of 48 seats.

"Saskatchewan Liberals are ready with new ideas and a strong team to bring real leadership and real change to the Saskatchewan Legislature on April 4th," Liberal Leader Darrin Lamoureux said in a news release.

The Liberal plan will "build a strong and diversified economy, support sustainable communities, make education work for everyone, bring leadership to health care, and implement fair and efficient government," the party said.

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"In the legislature, I will lead the fight on these and other important issues," Lamoureux said.

"Most importantly, I will listen to the constituents of Regina Pasqua and all Saskatchewan citizens to ensure that their voices are heard."

Among the Liberals' platform highlights are:

• Raise the minimum wage to $11.75 per hour on July 1, 2016; raise it to $13 per hour on July 1, 2017
• Limit political donations and reduce the size of the Legislature to 48 members (down from the 61 seats in this election).
• Phase out the temporary foreign workers program and expand the provincial nominee program to fill employment vacancies.
• Re-instate and enhance the film employment tax credit.
• Offer an income tax rebate to homeowners covering up to 25 per cent of the cost of installing solar or wind generation facilities.
• Raise the basic personal income tax exception to a level equivalent to a full-time minimum wage job.
• Provide a working tax credit to refund the federal income tax collected on earned income up to the new basic personal amount.

The Liberals haven't won a seat in a Saskatchewan Legislature since 1999.