Legislative Report
8 April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a global health crisis, it is the biggest shock to the Saskatchewan, Canadian and world economies since the Second World War. This is a significant challenge that requires a significant response. Saskatchewan’s response can best be summarized in three words: Protect. Build. Grow.

The 2021-22 provincial budget protects the health and safety of our people and our economy, builds our province through investments in infrastructure to stimulate economic activity, grows Saskatchewan through various incentives and key investments, and delivers on 14 specific campaign commitments to make life more affordable.

The budget provides direct funding to fight COVID-19, record levels of investment in health, education, social services and assistance, while supporting the  protection of persons and property.

Protecting Saskatchewan People

• $1.5 billion to help fight against COVID-19, this follows a $2.0 billion investment last year.  A further $1.3 billion of support is in place for the next two years, for a multi-year commitment of $4.8 billion;
• $6.5 billion record level of health care funding;
• $90 million for specific COVID-19 health response, including mass vaccination rollout, PPE, lab capacity and physician costs;
• $23.4 million increase to the $458 million budget for mental health and addictions services and programs, including specialized youth services, 12 new treatment beds in Estevan; and
• $6 million to hire 100 continuing care aides, the start of hiring 300, for long-term care and expanded home care services.

This budget will build Saskatchewan through capital investment, helping our economy, creating jobs and meeting people’s needs.

Building Saskatchewan Communities

• $3.1 billion in capital investment for hospitals, schools, highways, and many needed projects;
• $162 million in health care capital, including funding for new long-term care facilities in La Ronge, Grenfell and planning for Watson and Estevan;
• $5.7 million for urgent care centres in Saskatoon and Regina;
• $553.2 million in transportation capital, part of the $10.6 billion since 2008 to improve 17,100 km of highways and build bypasses and interchanges;
• Includes twinning on Highway 3 west of Prince Albert, as well as multiple passing lane projects on Highways 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 16, and 39; and
• $189.9 million for education capital, including $101.9 million to support 21 ongoing capital projects which will build 16 new schools and renovate five for a total of 57 new schools and 28 major renovation projects since 2008.

This budget will grow Saskatchewan through key investments and incentives, and it will keep life affordable for families.

Growing Saskatchewan’s Economy

• $174.8 million for the Saskatchewan Economic Recovery Rebate reducing electricity bills by 10 per cent for all customers, and $285 million for the Auto Fund Recovery Rebate;
• $9.3 million, an increase of $5 million, to establish four new international trade and export offices, and support offices in China, India, Japan, and Singapore;
• $3.8 million in royalty relief to help oil and gas producers invest in methane emission reduction projects; and
• Modernization and expansion of the High Water-Cut Program to make wells more viable for producers.

While our economy has fared better than most through the global health crisis, with continuing high levels of employment, the pandemic has still had a significant impact on the province's economy and finances. As a result, this year's deficit will be larger – $2.6 billion – and it will take longer to return to balance than we had anticipated.

Our government is committed to making the investments needed now to protect Saskatchewan people and drive a strong economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic. We will manage carefully without reckless cuts or large tax increases that would threaten both our pandemic response and a strong recovery.

Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed Saskatchewan's resolve, as our people made the sacrifices required to protect not only themselves, but also their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. When this pandemic is over, we will witness Saskatchewan's resilience, as our economy recovers and grows, as businesses reopen and more people return to work, and as Saskatchewan recovers to be even stronger than before.

This year’s budget protects, builds, and grows Saskatchewan. It charts a clear course for our province through the pandemic and into the strong recovery that will follow.

You can learn more at saskatchewan.ca/budget.