Opposition says government needs to be clearer about options to balance budget

REGINA – Premier Brad Wall says Saskatchewan’s finance minister was talking about options governments face when they’re short revenue when he used the phrase “draconian cuts.”

Finance Minister Kevin Doherty told a Regina radio program that governments have two or three choices when faced with drops in revenue.

Doherty said they include raising taxes, making draconian cuts in spending or running a deficit — choices the province is looking at as it tries to balance the budget.

Wall says the government will lay out a plan for its finances incoming weeks and none of the options is preferred.

It’s been a difficult year for Saskatchewan’s bottom line — a drop in the price of oil has erased about $500 million in revenue.

NDP Opposition Leader Cam Broten says the government needs to be clearer about potential cuts and a financial plan before the provincial election April 4.