'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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.