It may have come a little later in the year than usual due to COVID-19, but the government of Saskatchewan believes the extra time for their budget allowed them to better tailor it to the circumstances created by the virus. They officially released their budget this afternoon, after first releasing a government spending report in mid-March. 

“Saskatchewan is strong, our province’s fiscal foundation remains solid and our economy will recover,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “Saskatchewan people are resilient and our province has what the world needs as the global economy recovers from the pandemic."

The budget definitely changed due to the impact of COVID-19. For instance, the province will post a deficit this year. Though they admitted the 2020-21 deficit is significant, they also said it is much smaller than the deficits expected in many other provinces.

“Our government is helping support people through the pandemic and investing to stimulate our economy and create jobs," said Harpauer. "Every province, every jurisdiction in the world has seen its economy and finances hit hard by the pandemic. Saskatchewan is not immune, but we are better positioned than most to provide the support people need to get through the pandemic and see our economy recover and jobs return.”

The total deficit will be $2.4 billion for the fiscal year. Revenue is down about eight percent from $14.8 billion last year to about $13.6 billion forecasted for the year to come. The province will spend $16.1 billion this year, about $1.1 billion more than last year, in no small part due to the virus. 

In addition to the province's $900 million in spending directly due to COVID-19, they proudly announced many of their pre-pandemic promises were setting records, including record spending in health care, mental health, and addictions funding. The official opposition, however, took a dim view of these numbers. 

“This is not a plan,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “This budget shows that Premier Moe has no idea how to bring about a recovery that works for people. There’s nothing here for seniors, nothing for childcare, no money for safely reopening and resourcing schools for a pandemic, falling per-student funding for students, and no commitment to hiring Saskatchewan workers and Saskatchewan companies to build our infrastructure.”

One of the NDP's biggest concerns, according to an official party release was that the province "omitted most of the standard economic and fiscal forecasts and projections" in this budget. 

“It’s no coincidence that this is the shortest budget this government has presented," said NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon. "Not only is there no plan for a recovery, but no projections beyond the current year. We know what that means: if given the chance, next year it’ll be knives for public services, and our cherished Crowns on the auction block.”

The new budget also included some personal income tax breaks and aa tax incentive from the Ministry of Energy and Resources to encourage oilfield and pipeline investment. The province also announced $278 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing—up nearly $27 million from last year or 11 percent. This is part of $578 million they will be investing in Saskatchewan municipalities, up $137 million from last year.