Paying down debt, money for health care: Highlights from the Saskatchewan budget

REGINA – Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer tabled the province’s 2023-24 budget on Wednesday. Here are some of the highlights:

— Forecast surplus of nearly $1 billion, with almost all going to pay down debt.

— No new taxes and no tax increases.

— Revenues of $19.7 billion, a 15 per cent increase from last year’s budget.

— Spending of $18.7 billion, including $7.1 billion for health care.

— Health-care spending is up by $431 million including money for staffing; to reduce surgical wait times; and for mental health and addictions.

— $3.7 billion is for the Saskatchewan Capital Plan to build schools, hospitals, highways and other infrastructure.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2023.