ECONOMY #1 ISSUE: SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT POLITICAL INSTABILITY - ACCORDING TO POLL

The economy is now by far the number one issue and Saskatchewan residents are concerned that political instability in Ottawa could make the economic crisis worse.

Those are some of the key findings of a poll commissioned by the provincial government in advance of this Friday's First Ministers Conference in Ottawa.

Premier Brad Wall said it was important for him to have a clear sense of how Saskatchewan people are feeling about the economic crisis and Ottawa's response before meeting with the Prime Minister and other Premiers this week.

"Saskatchewan people want the current federal government to continue to govern, but they are also demanding a budget that addresses the economic crisis in a manner that is fair to all regions of the country," Wall said. "These are the things we have been saying for the last number of weeks. The confirmation of strong support from Saskatchewan people for these positions will help as I work to deliver Saskatchewan's message to the country."

With regard to specific budget measures:

• 87.4 per cent of Saskatchewan residents support increased infrastructure spending;
• 77.9 per cent want the federal government to speed up infrastructure spending;
• 84.3 per cent want to see increased support for the livestock industry;
• 76.1 per cent want to see increased support for the forestry industry; and
• 49 per cent support increased financial support for the auto industry.

Other key findings of the poll include:

• 93.1 per cent believe Saskatchewan's economy is performing better than the rest of the country;
• 77.3 per cent believe that Saskatchewan is on the right track;
• 53.8 per cent believe Canada is on the right track;
• 71.1 per cent believe the current instability in Parliament is making the economic crisis in Canada worse;
• 75 per cent believe the recent events in Ottawa have increased the sense of western alienation;
• 54.9 per cent believe the federal government is favouring eastern Canada over the west in dealing with the economic crisis; and
• 86.1 per cent believe the recent events in Ottawa have increased the need for western provinces to work together.

"Saskatchewan people want all the federal parties to set aside their partisan bickering and put forward a clear plan to lead Canada out of the current economic crisis - a plan that is fair to all regions of the country," Wall said.

The province-wide poll surveyed 1,002 Saskatchewan residents between January 2 and 8, 2009, and has a margin of error of +/-3.09 per cent 19 times out of 20. The cost of the poll was $13,980.

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For more information, contact:

Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927