Saskatchewan tables spending estimates
March 27, 2020, 4:08 am
Rob Paul
The Saskatchewan government tabled the 2020-21 spending estimates Wednesday, the spending plan is $14.15 billion, a 3.1 per cent increase from 2019-20.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada right now, rather than table a budget the government decided to table spending estimates.
“We had a full budget complete and ready to go, but with the situation changing so fast we knew that we couldn’t table a full budget due to the fact that our revenue predictions would have been way off,” said Moosomin MLA Steven Bonk. “That’s why we came out with just the spending estimate.”
“We have constant estimates, but they’re changing so quickly that we’re not sure where they’ll end up so we thought it would be prudent to just hang on for a little while and get a better idea where the economy will shakeout.”
With COVID-19 impacting Canada rapidly each day, Bonk says he’s never seen anything like this.
“This is unprecedented times, I never could have dreamed we’d be in this position,” said Bonk.
As for when Saskatchewan will table a budget, Bonk says it’s an unknown, but it’ll be as soon as they’re capable of doing so accurately.
“I don’t think anybody really knows the severity on the pandemic we’re going through right now. Of course it’s in the best interest of everyone that the sooner we can get a full budget tabled, the better,” said Bonk.
Given the COVID-19 situation, Bonk says even though they couldn’t put together a budget, putting together a spending estimate was a priority.
“It was important for us to come out with the spending estimates now so that a lot of our stakeholders and partners in the province can know where the spending will be at a baseline,” said Bonk. “It was very important to give that information especially in a time of uncertainty.”
Bonk believes health care funding will increase given the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
“Absolutely, yes, everyone is expecting that, and that was another reason for pushing through the expenditure estimate, now with cabinet approval we can increase funding to healthcare.”
“Spending across government is up, it’s up 3.1 per cent. A lot of it of course is going to health care, education, and social services,” said Bonk. “Those are three areas which I think are going to need some funding coming up here in the next little while until we can get a better handle on where we are at.”
The spending estimates show an increase in capital spending on projects, something Bonk says will be needed after COVID-19.
“With the way the economy was going before the pandemic there was a need for more capital spending on projects in the province, and I think that’s a need even more so now,” said Bonk.
Despite the current situation, Bonk says the government will help Saskatchewan bounce back when it’s over.
“All I know is as a government we will do everything we can to make it as painless and as quick of a recovery as we can.”
