There are many ways to assess the performance of a company or an economy for that matter. There's cash flow, asset evaluation and so on. Another that works well in the commercial world is comparative analysis, measuring a company's performance against one of its competitors to determine if it is a front runner, an also-ran or a laggard.
The litany of negative numbers flowing from most of the provinces is also an important factor in the federal government's deficit. It's simply the sum of its parts and Saskatchewan, while a stellar performer right now, doesn't have the bulk to offset the deficit delivered by an Ontario or Alberta.When TD made the statement, it was interesting because this development seemed little more than an incremental gain for Saskatchewan. We were headed that way, made it last year in fact, and this was just another step along the path to fiscal rebalancing. For those with a national perspective such as a bank, however, this was news. It was unusual.Saskatchewan today is uniquely positioned to choose between devoting its revenues to program spending as Alberta did or directing it towards renewing infrastructure to strengthen Saskatchewan's economic foundation even further.Adding the middle man can sometimes streamline operations in such way that it becomes irresistible and impossible to ignore. Always, the demand arises when delivery routes of a service system become overloaded.The story in Quebec is not quite as bad, with a forecast deficit of $4 billion this year, only a smidge ahead of Alberta -once the nation's financial powerhouse - which is anticipating spending to exceed revenue by $3.4 billion. BC is nearly a billion in the red and even Manitoba, a province that seems to be doing well economically, is anticipating a S400 million expenditure overrun.At this writing, ail but Newfoundland and Labrador have tabled their 2011/12 provincial budgets across Canada.Saskatchewan remains all alone with a surplus, although Newfoundland and Labrador, yet to table has a shot at making into the black with their newfound resource revenues. While we wait for St. John's to bring forward its budget, we will look at the fiscal condition of the others around us.So a government in a strong fiscal position generally is the steward of an economy in an equally strong position. In other words, Saskatchewan's economy is doing well at the moment and all indications are that it will not only continue but probably experience faster growth.Using that particular test provides an interesting and unique insight into Saskatchewan's economic position and the skill of those charged with our fiscal management.To put Saskatchewan's performance in context, consider the forecasts from other provinces. Ontario is expecting a deficit of nearly $17 billion this year. That's 50 per cent bigger than Saskatchewan's entire expenditure in the coming year. This is an economy in trouble and its government's financial condition is proof. Can you say "California"?Associate EditorToday, there are situations when we actually add a �middle person� instead of eliminating one for increased service efficiency. If it�s cost-effective and demand is high, then proper market positioning will make it a worthwhile endeavor. For example, my sister just informed me of a food delivery service in New Mexico that will let you choose one out of many different food outlets (all types of ethnic/fast food)- and then guarantees delivery within a specific time period. This not only gives the customer assurance of reliability, but more choices for dining take �out style.In relating this theory to restaurants, it is the food runner that has become popular, especially in the larger dining establishments that rarely existed years ago. Food runners are employees who only work the rush hours of the dining room- only running food back and forth from the kitchen to the tables with light dining room table interaction (condiments, fresh pepper etc.). It is a 2-4 hr. shift, depending on how long the dining rush lasts.Ireland have beaten France just twice in the last 10 meetings, while the record against the Welsh is the complete opposite, with Ireland winning eight of the last 10.Paul Martin is heard daily on News Talk 650 and News Talk 980 as well as on the radio stations of the Golden West broadcasting network in Saskatchewan.But Best claims Warren Gatland's men have plenty to worry Ireland ahead of today's clash in Cardiff.
Associate Editor
Author: Paul Martin
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