By Ryan Young
Apr 7, 2021 10:18 PM
Just because you’ve got expenses in one area doesn’t mean you need to spend in every area.
That from the Prairie Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in reaction to the provincial budget and the goal of five years to get back to balance.
Todd MacKay understands the government needs to spend money to deal with the pandemic, but he says spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories, while businesses and individuals have cut their costs to save money.
He approves of having a target and plan to balance the budget, but MacKay would prefer it would only take four years instead of six.
But we need to get there first.
With a potential third wave staring us down there was sweet little in the budget to boost the operational budget to protect the most vulnerable in our society, seniors in long-term care or home care.
“We all resolved that we were going to improve long-term care, we resolved we were going to fix the problems in personal care homes here in Manitoba, but that’s not in the budget here today,” said NDP Opposition Leader Wab Kinew.
There were also few details on how the promised $100 million in vaccine program spending would actually improve getting needles in arms, beyond a reference of $34-37 million of that funding to cover staffing over the summer. Pallister continued to defend the provincial rollout on Wednesday saying their issues are an overblown communications and reporting problem.
By Drew Postey
Apr 6, 2021 2:43 PM
Reaction is beginning to come in from around Saskatchewan after Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer announced the 2021/22 provincial budget Tuesday afternoon.
Related:
Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association:
Job creation and a step toward economic recovery are two key takeaways from the 2021-22 Saskatchewan budget for the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.
The announcement on Tuesday from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways has $830 million, including $520 in capital, earmarked for dozens of projects throughout the province.
Many of these projects are multi-year initiatives that will enhance safety on Saskatchewan highways and ensure efficiency in the movement of products and services to and from rural and urban communities.
By Gord Wiebe
Apr 7, 2021 6:20 AM
Just because you’ve got expenses in one area doesn’t mean you need to spend in every area.
That from the Prairie Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in reaction to the provincial budget and the goal of five years to get back to balance.
Todd MacKay understands the government needs to spend money to deal with the pandemic, but he says spending is going up in 10 out of the 11 major budget categories, while businesses and individuals have cut their costs to save money.
He approves of having a target and plan to balance the budget, but MacKay would prefer it would only take four years instead of six.
(980 CJME file photo)
The Saskatchewan government will spend its way out of the pandemic on big items like highways and construction.
That creates jobs and will lead to economic recovery, according to the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.
“In a time when our provincial economy is sluggish, our industry is thankful for the provincial government’s continuation of spending in our sector,” association president Shantel Lipp said in a release. “We believe our industry is one that will lead us to economic stability and future growth.”
This is the third year of the Saskatchewan government’s five-year, $100-million commitment to enhancing highway safety across the province. This construction season will see $22 million dedicated to increased safety at five major intersections in southern and central Saskatchewan.