The Queen City saw a lot of investments in the provincial budget made both in and around it.
In healthcare, a $3.0 million increase was made for ten high acuity beds at the Regina General Hospital, which will enhance care for patients with more complex medical needs.
$15.2 million is being invested for urgent care centres in Regina and Saskatoon, $6.5 million to continue designing and procuring activities for specialized and standard long-term care beds in Regina. The budget provides procurement and design of the Regina General Hospital Parkade.
The budget will also provide $95 million to sustain the ongoing pandemic response and protect the Saskatchewan people. The funding covers personal protective equipment, support for 58 temporary acute care beds in Regina and Saskatoon.
In education, $684.1 million in operating and capital grants to post-secondary institutions, including $445.9 million for the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.
Regina schools are on the list of 20 ongoing capital projects to build 15 new schools and renovate five existing schools.
The Highways around Regina will be getting some improvements as twinning projects for Highways 6 and 36 near Regina and Weyburn will be their planning and pre-construction phase.
SaskPower will be beginning construction on the Logistic Warehouse Complex that will centralize regional services and support around the Regina area, SaskEnergy is planning the expansion of the Regina East and West transmission system, and through SaskWater, the Government is investing $52.7 million to support significant industrial growth in the Regina region.
Mayor Sandra Masters said she was excited about the investments made into the City.
“There looks like some increased funding in terms of municipal projects, so we are kind of hoping to be in on that,” she said. “We know there is going to be some money spent on highways around the City of Regina, which is really helpful considering some of the economic announcements we’ve had in terms of the transportation hub.”
“There is an increase in spending for mental health and addictions, which is incredibly needed, the urgent care centre for both Saskatoon and Regina; we know we need one of those here, so that’s pretty fantastic,” she continued.
One thing Masters wasn’t expected was the provincial government’s investment in film and television.
“One big surprise I had was that increased grant for digital media production, which would include higher utilization of our sound stage,” she said. “Coming out of a pandemic when tourism, restaurants and retail have taken such a hit to have that creative industry back, I think it’s fantastic for tourism and our local businesses.”
Stepping out of her position as a Mayor and reacting as a resident of the province she added the province’s reduction in their year-to-year deficit stuck out to her.
