Harpauer post-budget event more subdued than last year’s

It is fair to say Finance Minister Donna Harpauer received a far more hospitable reception before the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce than her predecessor did last year.

At the previous year’s post-budget event hosted by the Chamber, Finance Minister Kevin Doherty was bombarded with questions from the audience in what could only be described as a tense atmosphere in the wake of budget cuts.

Harpauer faced a far less rancorous crowd during the noon hour at the Chamber Monday. Battlefords Chamber president Terry Caldwell even had to prod the audience to ask more questions of the minister during the question and answer period at the end of the luncheon.

Harpauer acknowledged to reporters the “tough decisions were made,” the year before.

“But we are now benefiting from those tough decisions that were made. We are on track to balance and that was the goal, that’s what we think will keep Saskatchewan strong and moving forward.”

She pointed out there is now revenue coming into the province that is less reliant on natural resources.

“At one time we were relying on resource revenue up to 32 per cent of the budget, now it’s only 10 per cent, which means our budget is more stable.”

As expected, Harpauer’s address to Chamber members focused on the highlights of the budget, noting the province was still on track to balancing the books in 2019-20.

She pointed to $34 million going towards completing the construction for Saskatchewan Hospital, North Battleford. She also said North Battleford would receive $2.5 million this year from municipal revenue sharing and Battleford, $880,000. 

A number of questions focused on education. In his remarks, Light of Christ chair Glen Gantefoer thanked the minister for the $30 million increase in funding to education, and $7.5 million directed into the sector this year.

But Gantefoer pointed out this still did not make up for the full $54 million cut previously, “which did cause a widespread negative effect on every school division in this province.” There was still a shortfall, he said.

Harpauer said she recognized this is not restoring full funding, but thanked school divisions for the efficiencies found and said “it needs to be ongoing good work not just by ourselves, but by our partners.”

 “Each and every year there’s more work that needs to be done,” said Harpauer to reporters later. “But it was a decade of increases each and every year, and I commend the school divisions for the efficiencies they were able to find.”

Caldwell, a restaurant owner, later expressed his concerns about the imposition of the PST on restaurant meals, something also brought in during the previous budget.

“Altogether, 1,700 jobs were lost in restaurants” over the past year, said Caldwell. He suggested dropping the PST.

Harpauer recognized there was some impact but also noted the “change in drinking and driving laws was enormous.”

The economy was a factor as well, she said.

“There’s many factors that affect your industry, and I also know that margins are tight in your industry,” said Harpauer. “Are we in the position to reverse that decision at this point in time? Obviously, we are not.” 

After the Chamber meeting in North Battleford, Harpauer was scheduled for a couple more similar presentations. She is doing six of these budget presentations around the province. 

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer was before the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce during the noon hour on Monday for the Chamber’s annual post-budget event. Photos by John Cairns