The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Compiled by Jonathon Naylor The Wall government last week unveiled an $11.2-billion budget it says will keep Saskatchewan moving forward but which the opposition fears will hurt families. The province will boost spending in some areas and cut in others, with the end result being an overall spending hike of 4.7 per cent over last year. 'The people of Saskatchewan have worked hard to make the gains that have made life better for everyone, and we want to ensure that they keep those benefits,' said Finance Minister Ken Krawetz. Key investments in the budget include: A $98 million increase for regional health authorities; $88.7 million for 21 major school projects; $60.5 million for the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative, to perform 8,000 more surgeries and cut surgical wait times; $581.5 million in highways spending, commencing the government's pledge to spend $2.2 billion over four years; $16.9 million more for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, for 6,000 new patient referrals, almost 30,000 chemotherapy treatments and 39,000 mammograms; $3.5 million for the Senior Personal Care Home benefit, estimated to be $278 a month, rising to $369 per month by 2015-16; See 'Sen...' on pg. 8 Con't from pg. 7 Ê$24.2 million, a $3.3 million increase, to provide Seniors Income Plan benefit increases of up to $50 per month starting July 2012, an increase of up to $10 per month in each of the next three years; $113 million, a $17.8 million increase, to provide expanded Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability eligibility. The benefit will increase and the number of clients will expand from 3,000 to 10,000; $237.4 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing, an increase of $20.6 million; ÊA $3 million increase to expand the Active Families Benefit Program to include all children and youth under 18; $4.6 million to establish the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship, that will provide high school graduates with up to $2,000 toward tuition fees at any Saskatchewan post-secondary institution; and The new Saskatchewan First-Time Homebuyers' tax credit of up to $1,100 against Saskatchewan income tax payable. The budget also seeks efficiencies across government. Third parties like regional health authorities, post-secondary institutions and school divisions are being asked to look for savings within their operations. Spending cuts or fee increases in the budget include: Ending the Film Employment Tax Credit, saving $8 million a year after previously approved productions are completed; Halting funding for the Enterprise Region economic development program, saving $4 million this year; and Charges under the Seniors' and Children's Drug Plan go up by $5 per prescription, which will save $10 million. 'This budget provides funding for health care, education, highways, assistance to those in need and many other services to improve our quality of life in Saskatchewan,' Krawetz said. 'While government has a responsibility to provide these important services, it also has a responsibility to live within its means, to balance the budget and to ensure our programs for people are sustainable.' The budget came under swift attack from the opposition New Democrats, who said students and seniors face some of its 'biggest blows.' 'This budget takes more out of the pockets of seniors, cuts funding to school boards and asks everyday families to pay more and get less from their province,' said finance critic Trent Wotherspoon. 'All of this comes while the government pushes ahead to spend more on politicians and even a new statue for the legislature. From what I've heard, that's not what Saskatchewan people want.' The NDP said the budget cuts 500 public service delivery jobs over the next year. It also 'reaches into the pockets of seniors and families' with its prescription fee increase, 'which takes hundreds of dollars more from seniors each year.' The NDP said seniors in long-term care will feel the budget bite again as the government will now collect $240 per year for hygiene supplies in care facilities. Seniors will also see extra costs tacked on if they need an ambulance, according to the opposition. Post-secondary students and apprentices, meanwhile, will see higher tuition and fewer Student Aid Fund bursaries, the NDP said. Northern firefighting teams are being trimmed from five members to four, and homeowners will see the break for early payment of their education property taxes disappear. 'Every household knows that budgets are about choices,' said Wotherspoon. 'The laundry list of cuts the Sask Party government has chosen takes aim at some important sectors of our province.' _ With notes from the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus
