January 22, 2009

I am VERY ANGRY with the Government of Saskatchewan. It's kind of a long story, so get comfy.


It all started back in 2007. The NDP was in power here in SK and they implemented a new program called the Graduate Tax Exemption (GTE). Basically this meant that anyone in SK who was awarded a degree, diploma, or certificate received an additional $10 000 tax-free income every year for 5 years after graduation as long as they stayed in SK. I finished my Masters of Science in 2007 and thus qualified for the GTE for the tax year 2007. Sweet! I have substantial student debt from my many years in school and any tax break I get helps me pay that debt off.


In October of 2007 a provincial election was held and the Saskatchewan Party was elected as the new governing party. They honored the GTE program promised by the NDP for 2007, but as of January 1, 2008 they changed the GTE to the Graduate Retention Program (GRP). Basically the GRP allows people who have recently been awarded a diploma, certificate, or undergraduate degree since 2006 a tax break for up to 7 years based on the amount of tuition they paid when they were in school. Sounds like a decent deal, right? Did you catch the magic word that's making me so angry right now? That's right... undergraduate degrees only. Advanced degrees (ie, Masters degree and PhD) don't qualify.

So basically the current Government of Saskatchewan is working to retain graduates of certificate, diploma, and undergrad programs but telling everyone who earns a graduate degree that they're not required. Feel free to find employment in another province!


I'm truly baffled by the Governments logic on this one. Do they think that people with graduate degrees don't deserve tax breaks because employers start throwing huge salaries at them the instant they leave school? Hmm, that didn't really happen to me and by the way, I know several people with undergraduate degrees who make substantially more money than I do. Maybe the Government feels that people with graduate degrees just aren't worth retaining. Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, Government of Saskatchewan. I'm sorry you feel that people who have the determination and ambition to earn an advanced degree are not worth retaining.


I realize that some people who read this may think "Hey Apathetic Bride, I didn't qualify for any type of tax break when I was done school because I graduated before 2006. I don't see what you're complaining about, at least you got a tax break for one year." You're right. I did get a tax break for one year. I will sorely miss that same tax break this year as it really helps pay down my student debt, but that's not really what angers me about this situation. It angers me that the Government of Saskatchewan feels it necessary to cater to graduates of other worthwhile programs, but completely ignores graduates of advanced programs.


Screw you, Saskatchewan Party!

January 20, 2009

So as I was leaving Walmart yesterday, I noticed that while I had been in the store the parking spot ahead of my car had a new occupant. The giant white car that was now occupying the space seemed awfully close to my car, so I went to invesigate. Turns out it was awfully close to my car. So close, in fact, that I couldn't even get my finger between the two cars. I did check when I got home and there was no evidence that the driver of the white car had hit my car, but it was a little close for comfort.

My car is the blue one, by the way.

January 19, 2009

I had to go to Walmart this week. I generally despise Walmart and I avoid it when I can, but since I work very close to one I occasionally run out there to buy household essentials (TP, cat litter, shampoo, you get the idea). Today I was headed to the pet area and I noticed a little sparrow jumping around on some of the high shelves. He must have gotten into the store through one of the loading dock doors and now can't figure out how to get out. The staff had opened up a bag of birdseed for him (her?) to snack on, so I guess the little thing could be much worse off.

Still, I'd go nuts if I was stuck inside Walmart and couldn't figure out how to get myself out of there.

January 18, 2009

We've been in the deep freeze weather-wise for the last 3-4 weeks or so. I'm talking daytime highs of around -30oC with windchills down into the -45 degree range. This week, it went from -30 on Monday to +4 on Sunday. To celebrate, Ian built a snowman in our backyard. The snowman felt the need to celebrate also, so Ian gave him a bottle of beer. The picture doesn't really do it (him?) justice, since Ian actually manufactured very detailed hair and facial features.

Hey Winter, we're all quite ready for Spring to show up!

January 5, 2009

Yummiest supper ever.

The original recipe can be found here, but I added portabello mushrooms and I cut down on the onion. I also added a couple of tablespoons of salsa onto the tortilla before I added the veggies and cheese.