5 things you should know from the 2023-24 provincial budget
Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer presented the 2023-24 provincial budget on Wednesday. Here are five things you need to know.
NO TAX INCREASES OR DECREASES
Before the official documents were released, Finance Minister Donna Harpauer provided some insight into this year’s provincial budget on Tuesday and said there would be no provincial tax increases or new taxes. There was also a projected surplus of $1 billion.
Despite that surplus, no tax decreases such as a change to the PST or provincial gas tax was announced.
Last year the province announced a two cent increase to the tobacco tax and added PST to event tickets like Roughriders games and concerts.
AFFORDABILITY, NO 'MOE BUCKS'
In light of the province having a projected surplus of $1 billion, there was not much announced in the way of immediately addressing affordability concerns. In 2022, Saskatchewan residents were sent one-time payments of $500 to address record inflation and affordability issues.
The province did not announce a resurrection of the one-time affordability payments but said Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable places to live in Canada.
$518M FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS
The province said $518 million is going to be spent on mental health and addiction programs and services.
A total of $438.4 million will be dedicated to mental health, with the remaining $79.2 million set to be spent on improving addiction services.
The funding is part of what the province said is a “record” health budget that includes total funding of more than $6.8 billion.
MORE MONEY FOR TELEVISION AND MOVIE PROJECTS
The province said an additional $2 million will be provided to the Creative Saskatchewan Production Grant Program.
Total funds available now sit at $12 million, according to the province.
In 2022 an $8 million increase was announced.
The province said the goal is to attract larger projects to Saskatchewan.
TWINNING PROJECTS ON HIGHWAYS 6 AND 39
The province said that $422 million will be invested in capital projects this year, one of which includes twinning projects on Highways 6 and 39 south of Regina, part of the route many consider to be Saskatchewan's main connection to the U.S.
In a news release, the province said portions of Highways 6 and 39 near Rowatt, Sask. and Corinne, Sask. will begin to be twinned this year. The finished project will result in a longer twinned route from Regina to Weyburn.
Overall, the province said this year’s budget will improve more than 1,000 kilometres of highways in Saskatchewan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'
Russian cargo plane seized by Canadian government at Toronto Pearson Airport
A Russian-registered cargo aircraft that has been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport for more than a year was seized by the Canadian government Saturday afternoon and could now be redistributed to Ukraine.
Air Canada passengers frustrated after tech issue delays, cancellations
Last week's technical issues at Air Canada caused delays and cancellations and left hundreds of Canadians stranded and frustrated.
Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
Public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table': LeBlanc
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says a public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table,' following the sudden resignation of special rapporteur David Johnston.
Lawmakers shouldn't wait for unmarked graves report to act, Murray says
Ahead of the release of her interim report on progress as Canada's special interlocutor on unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says lawmakers at all levels of government shouldn’t be waiting for her findings to act.
Man arrested after breaking into Florida theme park, hopping into alligator enclosure and filming video for social media, authorities say
A man is accused of breaking into a Florida theme park, jumping into an alligator enclosure and filming a video for social media – a dangerous stunt that authorities say led to his arrest.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
Saskatoon
-
Shooting in Riversdale under investigation: Saskatoon police
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) were called to the Riversdale community Saturday afternoon after a woman was shot.
-
'This is a spending problem': Saskatoon business leader calls for 'mid-management' job cuts at city hall
The head of Saskatoon’s chamber of commerce responding with frustration to the city’s announcement of a $75 million deficit over the next two years — and the tax hikes that will likely be needed to help makeup some of the the shortfall.
-
Sask. small business makes final list for national 'Tales of Triumph' contest
A Birch Lake, Saskatchewan business is one of 15 finalists in Canada Post’s Tales of Triumph contest.
Winnipeg
-
'Things have been changing': Pembina Valley Pride standing up to hate
Hundreds of people gathered to show support after a small community experienced homophobic hate acts during Pride month.
-
Brandon Sportsplex Arena shut down due to ice plant repairs
Hockey and skating enthusiasts in Brandon will have one less rink to skate on for the foreseeable future.
-
RCMP close down highway for search warrant
Manitoba RCMP shut down traffic on Highway 9 Saturday morning as part of an ongoing investigation.
Calgary
-
Canadian WW1 internment operations marked by new Calgarian Ukrainian monument
A memorial exhibit marking a dark part of Canada’s First World War involvement was unveiled in Calgary Saturday.
-
Alberta man charged after driving SUV through attached garage
A Linden, Alta. man has been charged after allegedly driving an SUV through an attached garage.
-
Investigators on scene of early-morning fire in vacant Bowness building
Police and fire crews are investigating after a structure fire at a vacant building in Bowness early Saturday morning.
Edmonton
-
'Get out now': Officials urge people in Yellowhead County evacuation zone to leave as fire tears through the county
"If you're inside this evacuation zone, you need to get out of here." That's the key message the mayors of Edson and Yellowhead County want residents to hear after an evacuation order was issued for the area on Friday evening.
-
Apartment fire causes traffic delays in Eastwood area
Drivers are being asked to avoid the area of 82 Street between 118 and 122 Avenues while crews fight a fire at an apartment building
-
'Exciting and unique': Kingsway Mall growing rooftop garden for good cause
Kingsway Mall, once known as Kingsway Garden Mall, has gone back to its roots.
Toronto
-
Russian cargo plane seized by Canadian government at Toronto Pearson Airport
A Russian-registered cargo aircraft that has been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport for more than a year was seized by the Canadian government Saturday afternoon and could now be redistributed to Ukraine.
-
'Do not consume': Health Canada recalls brand of frozen berries sold in Ontario
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for two kinds of Alasko brand frozen fruit due to possible norovirus contamination.
-
Toronto Raptors hiring Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as new head coach: reports
Toronto is hiring Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as its new head coach, according to multiple reports Saturday.
Ottawa
-
Four men injured in ByWard Market shooting
Ottawa police say four men were located on Clarence Street with gunshot wounds at approximately 1:30 a.m. Two of the men suffered life-threatening injuries.
-
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'
-
Diving for debris: Kingston divers pull garbage out of Lake Ontario on day of cleanup, awareness
Our water sources are some of the most important resources we have in the world, so divers and volunteers came together in Kingston to clean up Lake Ontario’s shoreline on Saturday.
Vancouver
-
Hundreds displaced after fire breaks out in Maple Ridge
More than 200 people have been displaced after a large fire in Maple Ridge Friday night.
-
Shifting winds, cooler temperatures helping firefighters at Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Shifting winds, cooling temperatures and intermittent rain showers are helping crews today battling a wildfire that forced the evacuation of the northeast British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge.
-
Woman with cerebral palsy discovers passion for skydiving
After decades of being told "no," to various activities, an adrenaline junkie with cerebral palsy found a love of skydiving.
Montreal
-
'The battle isn't won': Next 48 hours crucial in Quebec wildfire fight : Bonnardel
The next 48 hours will be crucial in Quebec's wildfire fight in northern and western parts of the province, with rain forecast for Monday but warmer, humid temperatures expected until then.
-
A worker on a Quebec highway construction site was hit by a driver
A worker on a worksite on Highway 15 South in Mirabel was hit by a driver on Friday evening. He suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
-
Stakes are high to make festival season a success this summer, says a business leader
A leader in Montreal's business community says certain factors threaten to throw a wrench into this year's festival season. Chiefly among them is a labour shortage.
Vancouver Island
-
Rain slows down Vancouver Island wildfire, detour route reopens
Rain overnight Friday provided some relief for a wildfire burning out-of-control near Port Alberni, B.C., as crews continue to battle the blaze that shut down the only paved roadway connecting the east and west coasts of Vancouver Island.
-
Woman with cerebral palsy discovers passion for skydiving
After decades of being told "no," to various activities, an adrenaline junkie with cerebral palsy found a love of skydiving.
-
Vancouver Island wildfire expected to continue for 'several days' as highway remains closed
Wildfire officials are sending an additional 20 firefighters to help battle an out-of-control blaze that has burned more than two square kilometres of forest and cut off a major highway on Vancouver Island.
Atlantic
-
Cape Breton tourism officials aim to clear the air after businesses impacted by N.S. wildfires
Although Cape Breton is hours away from the wildfires on mainland Nova Scotia, the head of Destination Cape Breton says some would-be visitors to the island have ended up with the wrong idea.
-
N.S. woman fined nearly $29,000 for outdoor fire as massive Shelburne wildfire burns
Police say a woman in central Nova Scotia has been fined nearly $29,000 for having an unsupervised outdoor fire in the midst of a provincewide fire ban.
-
New disc golf course headlines Shamrock Day in Saint John, N.B.
Disc golf lovers in Saint John, N.B., will no longer have to travel the province to play their sport. Shamrock Park now hosts a full 18-hole course for all to enjoy.
Northern Ontario
-
Someone in Ontario has an email telling them they've won $22M in a Lotto Max jackpot
Someone in Ontario will wake up to an email informing them they're $22 million richer.
-
Northern Ont. wildfire update, one new fire reported Saturday
There is one new confirmed fire in the Northeast Region as of Saturday. Here’s what you need to know.
-
Timmins Pride celebrates 10th anniversary with rally and parade
The annual Timmins Pride Rally and Parade in Timmins is celebrating a milestone -- its 10th anniversary.
Kitchener
-
Crowds celebrate Pride in Waterloo region despite security concerns
Hundreds of people turned up for the inaugural Pride street party in Cambridge on Saturday, while others packed Victoria Park in Kitchener for the Tri- Pride event.
-
OPP investigating two-vehicle collision southwest of New Hamburg
Debris from a badly damaged car could be seen scattered across a rural road in Oxford County on Saturday afternoon following a collision in East Zorra, near Tavistock.
-
“Celebrate communities where everybody belongs”: Waterloo Belongathon aims to raise accessibility awareness
Hundreds of people walked and rolled into Waterloo on Saturday to highlight the importance of accessibility.