'We did get a little bit': Renewal of firefighting course, limited new funding for hospital among budget highlights in Yorkton
Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley was optimistic he’d see more funding for the construction of the heavily anticipated Yorkton Regional Hospital in the latest provincial budget.
An increase in funding was provided. However, it was not exactly what Hippsley expected.
“We did get a little bit. Another $200,000 was allocated for planning for the hospital. Now they’re at $500,000 [to date]. No one spends $500,000 unless the intention is to build that hospital,” he told CTV News on Tuesday.
Hippsley called the extra funding a “step forward,” but said it’s “time for real action.”
He added that residents in the service area will have to fundraise 10 per cent of the total cost of the facility in the near future, which would have a price tag of roughly $30 million.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said the work behind the scenes is ongoing.
“We're expecting that [planning phase] to be completed sometime this spring and we can move onto the next phase, maybe site location and maybe some design work,” he told CTV News on March 23.
Besides the hospital, the provincial budget brought additional municipal revenue, amounting to around $120,000 more annually for the City of Yorkton.
New money is on its way to finish up renovations at the Yorkton Regional High School as well, according to Ottenbreit.
PARKLAND COLLEGE FUNDING BRINGS BACK FIREFIGHTING COURSE
After a one year pause, Parkland College firefighter course will return, thanks to new money in the budget.
$1.33 million will be allocated to the college to upgrade equipment and get the site near Melville up to standards.
Up to $250,000 in additional funding will head to the college for annual funding from the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training to deliver the firefighter course, and up to $210,000 in Capital Grant funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education.
The one year pause was caused by primarily the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Allison Dubreuil, Interim President and CEO of Parkland College and Cumberland College.
“We needed to reassess our delivery, but we also took that opportunity to conduct a fulsome, comprehensive review of the course,” she said Monday.
“[This funding will allow for] an enhanced relationship we have with the Government of Saskatchewan, and it will allow us [so] we can continue to deliver on our training needs.”
The 14-week program returns in July, with interested applicants able to submit their applications at any time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.