The province is forecasting a deficit of $2.4 billion dollars.
That number that Finance Minister Donna Harpauer refers to as “daunting” was announced Monday as a full provincial budget was introduced in the Saskatchewan Legislature as MLA’s returned after leaving in March due to the pandemic.
Reaction to the document was swift.
SASKATCHEWAN FEDERATION OF LABOUR:
- President Lori Johb says the budget missed an opportunity to invest in Saskatchewan’s workers and that it has very little for the people that actually power our economy. She also feels the province should be raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour
SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
- CEO Steve McLellan says the number of $2.4 billion could have been worse considering the way the economy has gone globally since mid-March. He is glad to see the province continue investing in key areas like infrastructure, health and education as the push to get the economy growing will strengthen with what was announced
CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION:
- The CTF is supporting the budget and the fact that no tax hikes are being announced. Prairie Director Todd McKay says while deeply concerned about the growing debt, getting people back to work is the best way to get numbers under control so it is important to keep taxes from weighing down families and businesses
APAS
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APAS president Todd Lewis says the provincial deficit is better than expected. He also welcomes efforts to put money into rural municipal infrastructure.
CITY OF REGINA:
- Mayor Michael Fougere says the city is pleased with the provincial budget, given the circumstances of COVID-19. He say that the province did a good job of saving money where possible, and investing in the right things to help restart the economy.
SASKATCHEWAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION:
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The Saskatchewan Construction Association says that they are satisfied with the provincial budget laid out Monday. President Mark Cooper says that he understands the challenges of trying to plan a budget during a pandemic, adding he’s happy to see the government stick to their promises.
SASKATCHEWAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
- President Dr. Allan Woo says we have to be prepared to have sufficient health-care resources in place for many more months because we don’t know how long the pandemic will last. The record $5.8 billion investment being shown to health is something that he is pleased to see the government recognize
CUPE:
- President Judy Henley feels the budget does little to help Saskatchewan families already struggling with COVID-19. She feels many of the measures included in the budget have already been announced, and rely
heavily on funding from the federal government, such as the Temporary Wage Supplement, the Accelerated Site Closure Program and the Canada EmergencyCommercial Rent Assistance. Henley says CUPE is also concerned about funding allocated to municipalities, universities, libraries, community-based organizations and other public services.
SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS FEDERATION:
- The organization representing Saskatchewan’s teachers says despite increased spending in education, there is still not enough funding to maintain existing resources. President Patrick Maze says the challenges created by lack of resources, including complex classes did not disappear with the move to remote learning. He is hoping funding will be attached to the education guidelines government issues so the health of students and staff is protected through appropriate cleaning, social distancing and other precautions without further reducing educational resources for students.
