Sask. budget promotes record spending with $273M projected deficit

Saskatchewan's budget comes despite a projected deficit of $273.2 million, with "record increases and spending" announced for ministries including education and health in the 2024-25 budget released Wednesday.

The province expects total expenditures of $20.1 billion, an increase of nearly 8 percent from 2023, and projected revenues of $19.9 billion, an increase of more than $184 million. The province of Saskatchewan is added, noting that it is expected to reach a surplus by 2025-26 due to increased revenue.

Together, the education and health ministries will receive $10.89 billion in 2024-25, which the province says includes the "largest" operating budget increase for both ministries.

"Next year, Saskatchewan's population will reach 1.25 million, an increase of 250,000 since our government took office," said Finance Minister Donna Harper. "This budget responds to the challenges of a growing province by restoring a growing province."

The province also did not announce any increase or decrease in provincial taxes for the next fiscal year.

However, Harper reiterated that Saskatchewan remains Canada's cheapest province.

"Saskatchewan residents will get more help because of our decision to end carbon credits on natural gas and electric home heating from Sask Energy and Sask Power," he said.

Harper adds that the registration fees are a direct result of pressure from the provinces and that the revenues will be related to the additional fees in the future.

"I'm pleased with the investments that are being made in this budget and I think it's time to invest in services that people are very comfortable and confident that our economy will support and be sustainable into the future," he said. He added that careless spending is not an option.

Saskatchewan New Democrat Leader Carla Beck and CFO Trent Weatherspoon share their views on the 2024-25 provincial budget.

Beck said at a news conference on Wednesday that the funds are struggling to make ends meet and are not helping.

"This funding doesn't help a struggling young mother as families across the province struggle with higher costs," she said. We do not see any charge for gasoline. "We don't see any plans to make life more affordable."

New Democrat and finance MP Trent Wetherspoon echoed Beck's comments, saying it was "sad but not surprising" that the government was offering a budget without spending on living expenses.

"The content of the budget is not a question of politics or curiosity," he said. "In terms of whether they're going to pay the bills, buy groceries, do they need to cut out activities that their child likes."

"This is real life and real hardship."

Education budget
The province announced that $4.4 billion will be allocated to education sectors, including the ministries of education, higher education and immigration, and vocational training.

Of the $4.4 billion, the Department of Education, which supports K-12, will receive a total of $3.3 billion, an increase of $247.8 million, according to the province.

Of the $3.3 billion total, the province says Saskatchewan-wide departments will receive a total of $2.2 billion in the 2024-25 school year.

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