Local reaction to provincial budget

YORKTON - The Saskatchewan Party has released the province’s latest budget. 

The $463 million deficit forecast in the budget for 2022-23, tabled by Finance Minister Donna Harpauer, is a $2.1 billion improvement from last year’s budget. 

Through the next three years, the path to balance shows successively smaller deficits of $384 million in 2023-24, $321 million in 2024-25 and $165 million in 2025-26. A balanced budget is expected in 2026-27. 

Revenue of $17.2 billion is forecast in the 2022-23 Budget, up $2.7 billion from last year's budget. Non-renewable resource revenue is projected to be $2.9 billion, up $1.6 billion from last year, largely due to higher potash and oil price forecasts because of expected global demand. 

"Saskatchewan is back on track," Harpauer said in a government release. "We are seeing strong economic growth and job creation as we come out of the pandemic and as a result, the provincial's financial outlook has improved significantly. 

"The deficit has been reduced by over $2.0 billion. Our economy is growing, with 30,000 new jobs created over the past year and the second highest rate of job growth in Canada so far in 2022. 

"Our finances will steadily improve and we are on track to balance as a result of careful management of spending and prudent revenue forecasts. 

Most notable for many will be that starting in October, the province plans to add the six per cent provincial sales tax to admissions fees and entertainment, including to events such Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL games, other sporting events, concerts, museums, rodeos and gyms. 

Smokers also face increasing taxes starting March 24. There will be another two cents per smoke for a total increase of 40 cents for a 20-pack. Taxes on loose tobacco will rise by eight cents per gram. 

The range of tax increases are expected to bring in more than $33 million annually. 

This budget includes $156.6 million for health care capital, including $15.2 million for urgent care centres in Regina and Saskatoon, $13.5 million to continue construction at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, $6.0 million to continue the project to replace the Weyburn General Hospital, and $6.5 million to continue design and procurement activities for specialized and standard long-term care beds in Regina. 

Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley was disappointed a new hospital in Yorkton was not higher up the list. 

“I was hoping for a little more direction to the regional hospital here,” he said, adding he was told there are dollars for additional planning, but there is no timeline for the much talked about local build. 

Hippsley said when it comes to government investments and timelines “they don’t give you one.” 

Yorkton MLC Greg Ottenbreit said there are other facilities ahead of Yorkton, pointing to Prince Alberta where the new facility will take pressure off Saskatoon facilities. 

And, there remains things to fine tune in terms of a Yorkton facility, from how significant a dialysis service is needed, how MRI services fit in, and better access to a helipad, which then brings into the equation where to build it? 

When it comes to a location, Ottenbreit said he believes it could fit in behind the existing hospital, and allow for the existing facility to potentially be repurposed, but he added there is some thought being given to taking the build south of the city along Queen Street. 

“So there’s quite a few things to be looked at,” he said. 

The 2022-23 Budget includes $846.0 million to operate, maintain, build and improve the province's roads and highways, through the Ministry of Highways. 

Ottenbreit said that investment is allowing work such as the passing lanes on Highway #16, and the upcoming work being planned in co-operation with the City of Yorkton on York Road as a highway connector route. 

The 2022-23 Budget includes $168.6 million for school infrastructure. This budget includes $95.2 million to support the ongoing planning and construction of 15 new schools and the renovation of five existing schools, as well as $55.9 million for preventative and emergency maintenance. An additional $12 million provides for the purchase of relocatable classrooms. 

Yorkton Regional High School has work being done – previously announced – but still a positive for the city, noted Hippsley. 

This budget includes an increase of $8.0 million, bringing the total funds available to $10 million, for the Creative Saskatchewan Production Grant Program, for film and television.  Only Saskatchewan labour, goods and services are eligible for support under the program, ensuring dollars stay in the province. 

"This investment is estimated to generate a $50 million increase in film and television production and millions in annual economic activity, including significant increased spending in the hospitality industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic," Harpauer said in the government release. "We are going to see a busy sound stage in Regina and today, I am honoured to announce that it will be renamed the John Hopkins Regina Sound Stage, honouring the memory of a strong advocate for our capital city, our province and our economy." 

Randy Goulden, executive director of the Yorkton Film Festival sees the new program as a positive. 

“We welcome the increased funding along with the confidence shown to the film industry; to grow the creative economy and create jobs,” she said. 

The NDP Opposition were not as impressed by the budget. 

“At a time when Saskatchewan families need a lifeline, the Sask Party has thrown them an anchor. Hard-working people are struggling with increased costs at the grocery store, at the pump and in their housing but this government isn’t listening,” said NDP leader Ryan Meili. “Not only does this budget not offer any relief for families just trying to make ends meet, it increases taxes and fees when people are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Meili. “These are very serious times, with increased uncertainty caused by world events. Saskatchewan people deserve solutions to serious problems. Budget 2022 fails to offer any vision to grow our province.”   

With no new relief measures, 32 new taxes and fees and no support for seniors or students who need support post-pandemic, this budget reveals a government that has lost track of what’s most important to Saskatchewan people, suggested the NDP release. 

The Saskatchewan Party government will continue to run deficits over the next three years with a goal to balance the budget in 2026-27.