BUDGET POINTS TO LIFE AFTER CRISIS

It was supposed to be a generous, election-year budget — free from tax increases and sprinkled with infrastructure and incentives meant to assure voters the Saskatchewan Party have things well in hand.

Instead, Wednesday’s announcement outlined a plan that may very well never be implemented, as the province, the country and the world grapple with the COVID-19 crisis. The spending estimates were tabled without including revenue forecasts for the coming year.

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer did what she could to help settle some of the fear citizens are feeling about their financial futures.

“We have a very strong cash position of $1.3 billion, so we are well positioned to manage through this challenging time, and are able to provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required,” she said.

There is a plan to spend $2.7 billion by Crown corporations and executive government that is meant to serve as “an important economic stimulus during this challenging time.”

There are plans for new hospitals and schools. Post-secondary institutions, which had been hoping that funding would merely be held at the status quo, are slated for an increase. Surgery wait times would decrease due to a $20-million influx of cash, and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency was to see a funding increase of 10 per cent.

It is only right that our leaders stop, take a breath and indicate that plans may have to change. All of us are doing that right now, as life is on hold in many ways. Nothing is more important than protecting the safety of our population. Indeed, budget plans changed again just hours before its intended release after it was learned of new cases in Saskatchewan, including evidence of community spread of COVID-19.

There is still room, however, to believe that this time of uncertainty will not last forever. When the crisis ends, there are some long-standing and pressing concerns that will still need to be addressed. It is not too soon to focus some attention on these issues.

Priorities are shifting, but there is still an ongoing battle with the province’s teachers — and those who want more funding for the public school system — that is far from over. The budget was not written with addressing demands in a fashion that will silence the critics who claim underfunding of education will be part of this government’s legacy.

The minister said the government is “thoughtfully building capacity” when it comes to mental health and addictions treatment.

This includes more treatment beds, and a new crystal meth program in Estevan. “Thoughtfully” is one thing, but that does not need to mean slowly. The pace of growth needs to be measured against the immense need in this area. The stress of life dealing with the virus may lead more people to have issues that increase demand for beds and services.

It would be easy to play down the importance of Harpauer’s announcements on Wednesday, but we need to take the time to look at the proposed budget and what it says about the party currently in power.

At the end of this period, when we have faced down the biggest global crisis of our generation, lies an election. The polls show that Scott Moe and his government have enjoyed strong support from the people of Saskatchewan. This set of expected expenditures shows their priorities, and should be examined accordingly.