Provincial and municipal governments anxiously await the federal budget this afternoon as many projects hang in the balance.

 

He says don't expect the Finance Minister to talk about Moose Jaw's new multiplex when he delivers the new Federal Budget today. But, he says the budget may include the money we're after and he has meetings set up for tonight following the budget to see where he can find it.

Local Member of Parliament Dave Batters knows he's under some pressure to get his government's commitment for funding. "Everyone in Moose Jaw knows that this is a big priority for this community. We are now talking about matching dollars for what the province has committed, which is 8.5 million dollars and all I can do is go and support this application that the city has made."

While the 8.5 million-dollar figure has been tossed around by the province as their commitment to the multiplex there has been no official announcement. That's because the City of Moose Jaw has not yet applied for funding through the Building Communities Program.

A lot of people in Saskatchewan are expecting cash from the federal budget today. Moose Jaw for the multiplex, farmers for drought and flood disaster relief, and the entire province for a new equalization deal.

A new equalization deal that removes non-renewable resource revenues from the formula could mean millions of dollars for Saskatchewan every year. Reports this morning from Ottawa say 3.5 billion dollars could be announced for a new deal but how much will come to Saskatchewan is still anyone's guess.

The budget will be delivered around 2 o'clock this afternoon.