Saskatchewan Chamber: The provincial budget contains several important items for Saskatchewan businesses, and the Saskatchewan Chamber is happy the government is looking to get “back on track”. That from The Chamber’s Acting CEO, Elissa LaLiberte, who says the budget tabled on Wednesday is a reasonable step in this direction.
In particular, the Saskatchewan Chamber is pleased with investment in capital infrastructure. She adds that last year’s capital budget included community benefit criteria, prioritizing the use of Saskatchewan labour, which she says was crucial in keeping these investment dollars in Saskatchewan companies. She hopes the decision to remove this criteria doesn’t minimize the spinoff impact of these new dollars locally.
LaLiberte understands the challenging fiscal position of the provincial government, but says The Saskatchewan Chamber is concerned about the cumulative impact of the province’s small tax increases on businesses that are already struggling to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
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The Saskatchewan School Boards Association recognizes there was a small increase in funding for the school system, but in a news release the SSBA emphasizes that it falls short of covering operating and inflationary costs. President of the SSBA, Dr. Shawn Davidson, says “School boards may have difficult decisions to make, once again.” The Association notes ongoing investment in capital projects for schools, and the SSBA is encouraged by some additional dollars for mental health and wellness initiatives.
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The Saskatchewan Medical Association welcomes the budget initiatives that support recruitment and retention of physicians, tackling the surgical backlog and providing resources to address the ongoing challenges the pandemic is place on a strained health care system. SMA President, Dr. Eben Strydom notes the budget has increases health spending by 5.2 per cent, with $95-million for ongoing pandemic spending and $21.6-million for the surgical wait list. He adds that today’s announcement of funding to reduce the surgical wait list is welcome, but it’s just a first step in providing relief for patients whose procedures have been postponed.
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The North Saskatoon Business Association says it supports balanced budgets, but although the provincial government failed to deliver that, it is pleased with the fiscal direction the Government is heading. Executive Director of the NSBA, Keith Moen, says, “Following two years of COVID budgets, where we understandably gave them latitude due to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, we expected the Government to make some positive steps this year, and they did that today by reducing the deficit, writing down debt and investing in areas where job creation can be achieved.
The NSBA welcomes the significant increase announced for Creative Saskatchewan, with the goal of bringing more film and television work to Saskatchewan.
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The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association was hoping for more in the budget. President Shantel Lipp says funding announced for highways and infrastructure projects reflects a “status quo” budget with most projects awarded and tendered last fall. She adds with Saskatchewan facing an unprecedented demand for agricultural products, there will be a need for good roads.
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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is disappointed that the provincial debt continues to rise,while not providing any tax relief for families or business. CTF spokesman Todd McKay says this comes at a time when non-renewable resource revenues are projected at $2.9 billion, up from $1.3 billion projected in last year’s budget. The interest charge on the provincial debt is pegged at $812 million dollars.
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The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour says the budget fails workers at a crucial moment. It notes there was nothing to help people deal with low wages, rising inflation and high fuel prices. The Union says there was also no mention of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour or filling hundreds of job childcare vacancies following the record federal investment.
