While unable to present a full budget Wednesday afternoon, Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the 2020-21 Estimates at the Saskatchewan Legislature.
The province plans to spend $14.15 billion, which is an increase of 3.1%. No revenue forecast was provided at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting world markets.
In a news release, Harpauer says it’s important to move on these expenditures now to continue to support Saskatchewan families.
The budget includes a record-investment of $5.77 billion in health care. Among that, $3.74 billion will be going towards the Saskatchewan Health Authority to help pay doctor, nurse and health care professional salaries. The funding is a 3.9% increase from 2019.
The health care budget includes $434.5 million for mental health and addictions support services.
Another major piece of the budget will be education funding, which takes up $2.57 billion. Saskatchewan’s school divisions will receive $1.94 billion in operating funding for the 2020-21 school year. The $42 million increase in school board funding is aimed to address recent enrolment growth, inflation and collective bargaining.
Capital spending for schools is on the rise. $130.4 million will be spent to help several joint-use facilities, including the new facility in Harbour Landing and a future joint-use consolidation of St. Peter, St. Michael, and Imperial elementary schools in Regina.
The province will provide a PST rebate on new home construction of up to 42% of PST paid on a new house contract up to $350,000 excluding the land. According to the ministry of finance, it’s a move that helps both the construction industry and families looking to purchase a new home.
Crow corporations will invest a total of $1.7 billion over the next year for upgrades to improve services provided by SaskPower, Sasktel, and SaskEnergy.
Lastly, the province is committing a record $278 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing. The total is up 11% from last year.
NDP gives Estimates a failing grade
Provincial NDP leader Ryan Meili called Wednesday’s budget a failed response to COVID-19 arriving in Saskatchewan.
Meili says Saskatchewan people were already struggling before COVID-19 arrived, and despite federal funding announced Wednesday to help lighten the pressure on Canadians, the Sask Party government is still unable to take urgent action.
In a news release, Meili says the province needs to step up immediately to help flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve.
Some of the calls made by the NDP include banning gatherings of more than 50 people, clear instructions to businesses and organizations, and measures to increase the capacity of the health system, as well as financial aid to help people in the province now.
Beyond immediate needs, Meili has called for an economic stimulus plan to protect people from a prolonged economic downturn while the province, and world markets, recover from COVID-19.
