Saskatchewan Finance Minister Ken Krawetz touted the province's balanced books before a morning audience at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Monday.
Krawetz described government initiatives outlined in the budget he handed down March 20, including more money for health care, education and infrastructure initiatives.
But it wasn't an entirely rosy reception for Krawetz as he was peppered with questions, particularly on the issue of the Saskatchewan Hospital replacement.
There wasn't much new news from the finance minister for those interested individuals at the breakfast gathering, as Krawetz gave a comprehensive review of the budget highlights and implications.
Krawetz told the audience the budget was balanced not only in the general revenue fund, but also in the summary financial statement.
"There (are) limited dollars and we wanted to make sure that indeed revenue exceeded expenditures. And that's exactly what happened," Krawetz said, pointing to the $11.6 billion in revenues coming in.
The finance minister outlined several of the initiatives of the 2013 budget. Among the initiatives Krawetz highlighted was a $350,000 increase to expand Alzheimers' First Link services in the province, $800,000 for a women's shelter in Melfort, an 8.6 per cent or $12 million increase allocated to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, the one per cent to municipalities for municipal revenue sharing, 3.5 per cent increase in health funding, and initiatives in infrastructure and labour force development.
Krawetz noted some of the pressures that were on the budget, saying population growth in the province will boost school enrolment numbers in the years to come.
He pointed to a situation in education in three or four years "where 11,500 are going out of the school system and 14,500, maybe 15,000 are going in. That's a challenge, but that's going to be a good challenge."
Krawetz did speak about Saskatchewan Hospital replacement plans by acknowledging the $6 million allocated in the budget to SaskBuilds for preparatory work for P3 (public private partnership) opportunities. Krawetz also noted that approach is being contemplated for the Regina east bypass, as well.
"Saskatchewan Hospital is needed, it is a priority," said Krawetz.
"Whether it is a P3 - that's what SaskBuilds is going to be tasked with doing." Krawetz then turned to Battlefords MLA Herb Cox who was in the room, and said "Herb, the sooner we can get this one going, the less times you'll be barking at me, which is good."
Krawetz also publicly took issue with a column in that day's edition of the Regina Leader-Post about the hospital replacement.
"Some of the comments made by the writer are just not true," said Krawetz.
"We are committed to this. It takes time to design it because there are various ministries involved. You have the ministry of justice, you have corrections and public safety, you also have health involved, and we've got to do it right. But we're going to do it."
Sask. Hospital prompted some discussion in the question and answer session that followed. One person, who identified herself as a member of the Canadian Mental Health Association, peppered Krawetz about what P3s would mean for the project,
He explained P3s could be a design and build, or a design-build-and-manage, or a P3 that could include "everything that you want".
"What we're going to look at is what model do we want to have in the Battlefords," said Krawetz.
"How do we do it in a most efficient manner? How can we do it in a manner that is going to be done first of all expeditiously, and second of all so that the taxpayers over a period of time are getting their best bang for the buck?"
Krawetz explained the province would still have full responsibility for the building in the end. "We're still going to be the owners of the property, the Saskatchewan Hospital."
Light of Christ School Division chair Glen Gantefoer also posed a question of Krawetz, raising concern about the government's challenge to school divisions to improve graduation rates.
"We can do it, but it's going to require additional funding," said Gantefoer.
Krawetz acknowledged there will be more to do, but said education will continue to be a priority "and our $1.8 billion dollars speaks to that."
