If you think really, really positive thoughts, Saskatchewan's challenges will melt away before you. The expatriates will return to our fair province if only we could turn our frowns upside down. That's what Premier Calvert told an audience of government insiders at Regina's Centre of the Arts.

By launching a massive public relations and advertising campaign, Calvert hopes to stem the tide of people heading for greener pastures. The campaign includes glitzy television commercials, a massive print advertising campaign, and even a rock anthem performed by Saskatchewan musician Jason Plumb. These initiatives are intended to boost provincial pride, and convince businesses to set up shop here.

If only life was that easy.

Details of the cost of the entire campaign were not disclosed, but the first phase has been pegged at $2 million. When pressed on the exact cost of the three-year campaign, Premier Calvert replied that it was "too early to say."

The theme of the campaign is "Our future is wide open." Nothing could be further from the truth. The policies of this government limits the future of every Saskatchewanite. The reality is that nothing short of sweeping economic reforms is going to bring people back to Saskatchewan. Look at the sacrifices people have to make to come here: punitive income taxes, highest corporate income taxes in Canada and soaring property taxes. The only economy Saskatchewan has out-performed is Newfoundland.

Unless this government initiates serious tax reform, we're in a no-win situation. Our income tax system, when compared to Alberta's, penalizes both high and low income earners. Alberta's basic personal exemption (the amount a person can earn before paying taxes) is more than $5,000 higher than Saskatchewan's, and their single rate tax is one per cent lower than Saskatchewan's lowest rate.

Even worse is the fact that Saskatchewan has so much going for it. Premier Calvert correctly points out that Saskatchewan has tremendous infrastructure and educational institutions. If it's educated employees a business is looking for, we've got'em in spades. Well, we do until they graduate and move to Alberta or Ontario to find jobs. We also have outstanding research facilities, and a great standard of living. Housing prices are dirt cheap compared to other jurisdictions.

Even with these obvious advantages, Saskatchewan still needs an expensive advertising campaign to lure businesses to our province. After you eliminate all other factors, it comes down to taxes - the highest corporate income taxes in Canada, soaring property taxes, and small business taxes that simply don't compete.

How long will it take for this province to realize how badly we need real tax reform All the positive thinking in the world won't make it cheaper to live in Saskatchewan.