Seeing increased funding in a number of areas, Saskatchewan Polytechnic President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said he’s pleased with the provincial budget that was announced last week.  

The budget includes $58.9 million for health training that will affect Sask Polytech’s health sciences programs.  

“There is some number of nursing seats that we would be supplying as a result of that, but not only nursing, it's in the whole health sciences profession as well. There are other professions within the health sciences that we'll be delivering extra seats in,” Rosia said.  

Meanwhile, $21.3 million has been allotted for Sask Polytech for program expansion and increased enrolment.  

Rosia said that additional funding will go towards additional seats across the post-secondary school’s programs as well as capital projects.  

“What it means to us is it really helps us deliver on our purpose, which is to empower a better Saskatchewan,” Rosia said.  

The province also announced $6 million for the campus renewal project in Saskatoon, which is currently in the planning and design stage. Rosia said Saskatoon has 11 sites and the main campus which are spread across the city. The new campus would bring all the sites together in one place located near the University of Saskatchewan and Innovate Saskatchewan.  

As for the Moose Jaw campus, Rosia said all of Sask Polytech’s campuses will benefit from the increased spending. Because the budget is fresh off the presses, Rosia added that how funding will specifically be spent in Moose Jaw is yet to be decided.