Provincial Budget Day - additional comments

Link to the full INK article: Budget increase in highways and infrastructure

What a hectic day Budget Day was at the provincial legislature! Filled with people crammed together like sardines, it was challenging at times to keep a clear head amidst all of the noise. At the end of the day, I got the story done and here are a few extra things in addition to my INK article.

SUMA Vice-President Jim Scarrows.

SUMA Vice-President Jim Scarrows said SUMA would like to see in the future education funded only by the provincial government, but he said this is still an option at this point. Also, the government’s commitment to the one point of PST will help SUMA deliver recycling, pure water, further protection for citizens, and recreational programs.

Also, part of the $134 million capital funding for municipal infrastructure includes $57.2 million in federal money from the Gas Tax Program. The program aids with municipal infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure funding includes an extra $5.5 million for municipalities’ borrowing through the Saskatchewan Infrastructure Growth Initiative or SIGI. There’s also a new SIGI Recreation Pilot Program, which will give municipalities with interest rate subsidies for up to five years. It deals with $12.5 million of municipal borrowing to aid in the development of recreational infrastructure in order to reach the requirements of growing communities. 

The link to the 2011-12 Saskatchewan budget: The Saskatchewan Advantage

Photo by Lisa Goudy