Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Saskatchewan released its budget expenditures for the upcoming year.

Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer explains why the government made the decision to announce only a partial budget.

“The government is taking the unusual step of tabling the spending estimates without revenue forecasts for the coming year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

“This is an unprecedented and challenging time in our province, our country and the world. We are all feeling the impact of the pandemic and our government's first priority is the safety and health of the Saskatchewan people.”

One of the main highlights on the budget is record spending on healthcare to fight the pandemic.

The Ministry of Health will receive $5.77 billion in spending, an increase of $211 million from last year or 3.8 per cent.

Included in that is $3.74 billion for the Saskatchewan Health Authority for doctors, nurses and healthcare workers to help battle COVID-19.

“We are well-positioned to manage, through this challenging time, and provide additional resources to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 as required,” Harpauer said.

The spending estimates also include $2.7 billion in infrastructure in the hopes to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Harpauer also highlighted that it is the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the country, $1.3 billion in cash reserves and shifted reliance on resource revenue from 32 per cent to 12 per cent.

More information on the budget can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.