Sask. budget takes a hit from pandemic

Nearly three months after it normally would, the Saskatchewan government released its full 2020-21 budget on Monday. Here’s a by-the-numbers look at how the finances shake out.

The big picture $2.4B

Projected deficit, due to “reduction in provincial revenues and additional costs related to the pandemic.” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said the province was on track for balanced budgets before the pandemic and expressed confidence “that as Saskatchewan’s economy recovers, our revenues will also recover and we will get back to balance in the coming years without having to cut programs and services.”

$16.1B

Projected expenses, an increase of $1.1 billion — up about seven per cent compared to last year. Largest shares go to health ($6.18 billion), education ($3.36 billion) and social services and assistance ($1.49 billion).

$13.6B

Projected revenue, down $1.2 billion, or about eight per cent from last year, due to shuttering domestic and global economies helping contain the spread of COVID-19, combined with the oil price collapse.

$7.2B

Projected tax revenue, a decrease of $350 million, or 4.6 per cent, from 2019-20. The largest declines will be in Provincial Sales Tax and Fuel Tax.

Pandemic spending $700M

Allocated to “address the challenges of the pandemic,” since the province released its spending estimates on March 18.

$148M

Repurposed funding within existing ministry budgets to address pandemic impacts.

$200M

To establish a health and safety contingency fund to address future pandemic-related expenses, such as a possible resurgence of the virus, later this year.

$118M

Spending for hospital equipment, testing equipment, personal protective equipment and operating costs to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This is included in the $288 million increase to health.

$50

One-time payments to all adults in receipt of income assistance.

$100

Monthly respite payments from June through September to about 2,800 individuals caring for people with intellectual disabilities, at a cost of $1.1 million.

$171,000

Additional support to emergency shelters.

$300

One-time payments to foster and extended family caregivers.

$50M

Allocation to the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment providing support to small and medium-sized businesses that have had to temporarily close or significantly curtail operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

$50M

Emergency pandemic support for First Nations and Métis organizations and community-based organizations to help offset an $81-million reduction in gaming grant payments resulting from the closure of casinos.

$13M

For providing forgivable loans through the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance to commercial property owners to assist with rent owing by small businesses experiencing hardship during the pandemic.

$12M

Other pandemic measures, including support for livestock producers, enhancements to the corrections and justice systems and the Self-isolation Support Program.

$56M

Funding for the Temporary Wage Supplement.

Big 3 spending $288M

Spending increase to the health-care sector from last year’s budget.

$435M

Funding for mental health and addictions, making up 7.5 per cent of the Ministry of Health budget.

$20M

To fully fund the ratified teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.

$10.9M

For third-party providers that deliver services on behalf of the Social Services and Assistance Ministry to some of the province’s most vulnerable people, including at-risk children, youth and families, people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges.

Infrastructure $3.1B

Going into infrastructure this budget year as part of the government’s twoyear $7.5-billion capital plan investing in schools, hospitals, highways, Crown utility projects, municipal infrastructure and other projects.

1,000

Kilometres of highways will be upgraded next year.

More spending $85M

For the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

$150M

To the Accelerated Site Closure Program for the reclamation of inactive oil and gas wells and facilities.

11%

Increase in municipal revenue sharing, bringing total to $278 million.

$30US

Price per barrel of oil forecasted in the budget.

42%

Max eligible amount for PST rebate for new residential home construction on a new house contract up to $350,000, excluding the land, for new homes purchased after March 31, 2020 and before April, 1, 2023.

15%

Tax credit through new Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive to encourage new investment.

3

Number of provincial trade and investment offices to be established in Japan, India and Singapore.