A few days ago the provincial government announced that they will be changing some of their fees and charges for the upcoming year. For the 2020-2021 year the changes that they are making are expected to generate around $460,700 for the province. 

They said they are trying to better reflect the cost of related provincial services, and one that will provide a moderate increase to the government's coffers.

The SGI voluntary payment fine for having an unregistered snowmobile used to be $60 but will now be raised to $125. Generating an estimated extra $1,040 annually. According to SGI, Saskatchewan usually sees around 16 offenders each year driving unregistered sleds.

Only a few people are GED holders and ABE holders but the transcript fee for both will be raised up to $25 from the existing $20. An estimated 400 individuals will be affected.

The fee for a captured wildlife license will also be rising in cost. It will affect both individuals and commercial entities that hold wildlife in captivity and export wildlife. Including zoos, falconry, and game birds. There are roughly 100 permits that exist for this right now and the province will be making an additional $6,00 with this raise. 

If that doesn't seem like a lot the largest increase in additional revenue is expected from changes to court fees being charged in regard to estates in the province. Dependent on changes to the 'Administration of Estates Regulations', the changes will include a flat fee on court applications to administer an estate and will provide the lion's share of the extra money to the province with an extra $460,500 generated from roughly 3,250 clients.

Premier Scott Moe said there is a reason for the increase.  

"There's a few service fees that were increased here today in the way of court fees, snowmobile fines that are there that I need to register my snowmobile in case I ride it this winter. They are quite frankly increased just as a course of ensuring that they are paying for the cost of actually installing those fees. It's just insuring that we're collecting the same amount as the cost of having those fees."