On April 10, the Saskatchewan government announced its 2018-2019 budget and its clear aim to keep the province on track for the three-year plan to balance.
“The 2018-19 Budget supports the priorities of Saskatchewan people through major investments in health care, education, social services and the protection of people and property.” Donna Harpauer Minister of Finance said in a released statement along with the budget. “It also invests in needed infrastructure, hospitals, schools and highways, and helps support a strong and growing economy.”
In media and government website releases, Harpauer says this year’s budget aims to keep on track by controlling government spending, delivering high-quality services, flattening tax rate increases, keeping our economy strong and returning to balance.
One of the most notable points in the budget is the record health budget of $5.36 billion, slated to provide quality services for the people of Saskatchewan. These services include universal HIV drug coverage, a new psychiatric facility in North Battleford, a new hearing loss screening program for infants, and $2.4 million for Autism Spectrum Disorder funding benefits.
The budget also gave the $30 million increase promised to education for a total of $1.87 billion for the province’s K-12 schools. Premier Scott Moe says he hopes the $30 million increase will be used to hire more educational assistants and more teachers.
The budget also pushed for more funding for at-risk children and families, and for adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as general public safety by twinning certain highways, building passing lanes for others and by slating a new $4.9 million funding for rural crime strategies.
Overall, the 2018 budget does include a $365 million deficit; however, Harpauer says that the balance will return in 2019/2020 with a modest surplus of $6 million. Higher surpluses of $108 million and $212 million respectively are projected for 2020-21 and 2021-22.
The budget also highlighted the savings already incurred since last year, $19 million from the amalgamation into one health region, and $5M in savings from government vehicle reduction, and decreased spending by 1.4%.
Kindersley constituency’s MLA, Ken Francis says that the budget was produced after a lot of thought and noted that since the budget has rolled out, he has not yet heard any negative feedback in the constituency. “I’m pleased to be a part of a government that is fiscally responsible; you know you just can’t kick that can further down the road for someone else to deal with it. We are dealing with it right now, and so far, we have kept on track.”
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