The Saskatchewan Government has tabled a balanced budget for 2019-20.
Here’s a look at how the provincial budget breaks down:
Key figures:
- Forecasted revenue: $15.03 billion
- Forecasted spending: $14.99 billion
- Forecasted surplus: $34.4 million
Taxation:
- No new taxes introduced, no increases to any existing taxes
- In the 2020 taxation year, volunteer firefighters and first responders who clock at least 200 hours of volunteer service will be able to claim a $3,000 tax credit
- Deductions eliminated from the Potash Production Tax to ensure Saskatchewanians receive a fair return for their potash
Education:
- School divisions receive $1.9 billion in operating funds
- Ministry of Education receives $2.48 billion
- $727.8 million toward the Ministry of Advanced Education
- School infrastructure investments increase $20 million to $95.6 million -- including replacement of St. Pius X Elementary School and Argyle Elementary School in Regina, replacement and consolidation of Sacred Heart, St Mary Elementary Schools, Empire and Westmount schools in Moose Jaw, and determining the scope of a replacement school for St. Frances Elementary in Saskatoon.
- $4.3 million invested in the Early Childhood Intervention Program
- Investment in libraries up $128,000 to $11.2 million
- $1.0 million in continued funding for Saskatchewan Literacy Program
- $88 million in funds for the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan
- $727 million in funds to the Ministry of Advanced Education
Health:
- Total investment projected at $5.89 billion, up 2.1 per cent from last year
- $500,000 invested in the creation of an organ donor registry by next year
- The province promises to spend more than $500,000 to create an organ donor registry by next year.
- Operating funds for the Saskatchewan Health Authority up 3.2 per cent from last year to $3.6 billion, including $23 million for staff at the new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon
- $103 million for healthcare infrastructure including $12 million for construction of a new long-term care facility in Meadow Lake
- Capital investments include funding for the design of a new Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, and planning for a new hospital in Weyburn
- $402 million investment in mental health and addiction support initiatives, including funds for more than 140 new beds in treatment centres
- Autism Individualized Funding benefit up $2,000 to $6,000 a year per for children under six years of age
- $1.1 million to the Alzheimer Society for the First Link program to assist those newly diagnosed with dementia to get the care they need as quickly as possible
Social Services:
- $1.43 billion invested in social services and assistance, which includes the Ministry of Social Services, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission
- $27 million to support at-risk children and families
- Supports for adults with intellectual disabilities up $6.6 million
- $1.4 million designated to increase monthly payments for foster families who take specific additional training
Economy:
- SaskPower’s $873 million capital investment will help to connect customers and expand electricity generation assets
- SaskTel to enhance services with investment of $321 million, including an additional 100 new cellular sites in small communities across the province
- $437.1 million to the Municipal Revenue Sharing Program
- Oil and natural gas royalties estimated at $691.1 million
- $618.6 in potash royalties
Highways and Infrastructure:
- $20 million invested in safety improvements to Saskatchewan highways, specifically improvements at Highway 35 and 335, lighting improvements at Highway 3 at Shellbrook and improvements at Highway 1 and Kalium Rd.
- $13 million to be invested for the first year if a five-year Enhanced Intersection Safety Program, estimated at $65 million in total over five years
- $7 million invested through the Safety Improvement Program, which aims to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions
Other:
- Ministry of Agriculture budget up three per cent to $391.3 million
- $211 million in investment in Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations
- $8.5 million invested in the correctional systems security, and more beds for young offenders
- $1.6 million will address recommendations made in the review of the Saskatchewan Coroners Service
