■ Local reaction
Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison
“I wouldn’t call it a budget that’s disappointing nor truly exciting — it’s just a good, fair, balanced budget for us to look at,” Atchison told reporters in Saskatoon. “We’ve been very fortunate over the past few with the federal budget. What we need to figure out in the end is where do we fit into it? How can we, in fact, tap into those resources?” he said. Ottawa announced a $1-billion public transit fund starting in 2018, which could help Saskatoon build its planned bus rapid transit system, Atchison said. “The administration is going to need to take some time to figure out how we can source those dollars. ... It’s a race to the funding.”
Saskatchewan Finance Minister Ken Krawetz
Krawetz focused on infrastructure in his comments to reporters in Regina, referencing Saskatchewan’s share of $436.7 million over 10 years from the Building Canada Fund that was confirmed in the budget. “We thought we’d be getting more, but that’s what we have to work with and we’re going to ensure that we continue with our infrastructure development,” he said. “It’s a budget that won’t be a surprise to Saskatchewan; it’s not a surprise to me.”
Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde
The federal budget maintains the “status quo” in regards to social and economic conditions facing First Nations, Bellegarde said in a news release. “First Nations people are treated like second class citizens living in third world conditions. “Today’s federal budget is a missed opportunity for First Nations and all Canadians to develop a comprehensive approach. “We do not see any significant investments or a plan to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and Canadians. The cost of First Nations poverty is too high and everyone is paying for it when we should be investing in our shared future.”
June Gawdun, executive director, Saskatoon Council on Aging
The education and advocacy group for senior citizens is pleased the budget included a tax credit of up to $1,500 for seniors and people with disabilities to renovate their homes with items such as walk-in bathtubs and lifts, Gawdun said. “Older adults do want to age in place and retain independence and they do need appropriate and affordable services. “Many older adults are concerned about the affordability of home modifications to accommodate declining physical abilities, so to have that tax break to put in wheelchair ramps and those sort of things is really positive.”
Kent Smith-Windsor, executive director, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
Funding to help young entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, in addition to funding for aboriginal workforce engagement, is good for Saskatoon, Smith-Windsor said. “The Futurpreneur program (which received $14 million in the budget) has had a lot of success in Saskatoon, so to see those things going and some of the financing pieces, all of those things factor into whether a business makes a new hire or continues to take risks in the market. “There is incremental funding for First Nations education and aboriginal workforce engagement. “That’s really important for Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon in particular. ... “We’ve got a bit of a leg up on many communities in that the working relationship, while never perfect, is getting stronger. “It bodes well for us in Saskatoon to be able to take advantage of these programs and build on the success.”