Local MLAs share their thoughts on the provincial budget

Moose Jaw’s two MLAs gave their reactions after the provincial budget was tabled in the legislature on Wednesday. 

Both Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod and Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence said it was a good news budget that will benefit both the people of Saskatchewan and Moose Javians. 

Lawrence said there is a number of initiatives in this year’s budget that will benefit his constituents. 

“The two I'll highlight the most are our continued funding for the power plant being built in Moose Jaw and the new school being built on South Hill as well. We didn't really go into it, but there are renovations to Ecole Margaret as well,” Lawrence said. 

The budget included $1.2 billion in capital spending for SaskPower including the continued construction of the Great Plains Power Station. About $11.3 million is earmarked for minor capital renewal projects in the education sector including ongoing renovations at Ecole St. Margaret. 

Lawrence said the joint-use school is moving along nicely and they are hoping to break ground this spring. 

The budget is forecasted to have a $1 billion surplus, which will be used to pay down the province’s operating debt. 

McLeod felt using the surplus to pay down the debt was a fiscally responsible move by the government. 

“That in and of itself will result in $44 million in savings on interest costs year after year. That, coupled with the billion dollars that we paid down last year, results in $117 million in interest savings,” he said. 

McLeod also highlighted some of the record spending in the budget that includes over $7 billion for healthcare, about $4 billion for education and $1 billion for justice and policing.