Amid the global pandemic of COVID-19, the wheels of government continue to turn, albeit with some changes.

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer announced today the province will present a scaled-back budget tomorrow.  The document will include 2020-21 budget estimates, including spending plans for the coming year in the areas of health care, education, social services, capital spending and more.

“The budget estimates will contain spending increases in most areas, including a significant increase in health funding,” Harpauer said.  “It includes a significant lift to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which funds the doctors, nurses and other health professionals who are on the front line of the fight against COVID-19."

Revenue forecasts will not be part of tomorrow's presentation.

“The events of the past few weeks have resulted in our revenue forecasts no longer being accurate,” Harpauer said. 

“Given the rapidly changing situation, accurate revenue forecasts are not possible right now.  However, we need to move forward with the government’s spending plan for the upcoming year, so we are taking the unusual step of tabling spending estimates without the revenue forecasts.  Once the situation has become more stable, we will release a financial update including revenue forecasts.”