April 11, 2018
Saskatchewan Budget Focuses on Targeted Investments and Fiscal Restraint
The Government of Saskatchewan released its 2018-19 Budget on April 10th and focused on controlling government spending, delivering high quality service, no tax increases, economic growth, and returning towards a balanced budget.
70% of budget expenditures focuses on health care, education, and social services with each category seeing increased spending in operating budgets directly tied to service delivery.
On the infrastructure front, key highlights include:
- $2.7B in total infrastructure spending
- $34M commitment to North Battleford Hospital work, which is opening in the Fall
- $330M towards Phase 2 work on the Regina bypass
- $15M for the Saskatoon North Commuter Parkway project fulfilling provincial commitment of $50M
- Significant investments by Crown Agencies totaling $1.2B on infrastructure. This includes SaskPower, SaskTel, and SaskEnergy investments in upgrade and connectivity projects for electricity, broadband, and natural gas
The Capital Plan also referenced transportation and municipal projects as a significant beneficiary of investments, but it is too early to tell whether Budget 2018-19 means any additional P3 projects at this time.
For more information, see the Saskatchewan Budget page.