I was interviewed on TV and radio Down Under last week, sending out a message that Canada wants Australian business, now that the Labor government is slapping a 40 per cent tax on mining profits there. I said:
 
“My job is stand up for Saskatchewan. My job is to stand up for Canada; if that means that I have to go point out Australia’s mistake on their tax policies to get the little bit more business, I’m going to do that. And with higher taxes in Australia, there will be lower returns.”

On May 4th, I released a five point plan to make Canada more attractive to foreign investment in resource sectors like mining.

The plan urges the Government of Canada to make regulatory reform a priority. The plan also calls for provincial governments to review royalty rates; for corporate tax rates to be reduced to at least 25 per cent on average and for Parliament to pass my private members’ bill (C-436) that would open up more foreign investment in the uranium mining sector. Letting the world know that a “culture of responsible development is imbedded in Canadian resource industries,” is also part of my plan.

Saskatchewan’s mining industry spends more than $3 billion a year on wages, goods, services, taxes and fees. If money fleeing the Australian mining tax comes to investment friendly Saskatchewan, that will mean more jobs for us.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.