While 2020 has been a challenging year due to COVID-19, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Moe gave his address at the Municipalities of Saskatchewan annual convention on Monday morning, saying; “This has been one of the toughest years for Saskatchewan people and I would say this is one of the toughest years that the people of this province have ever experienced. But there are many reasons for us to be optimistic about what lies ahead." 

Moe pointed to the millions of dollars that the provincial government has invested into municipal economies including the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP). 

MEEP allotted $150 million for municipal projects on a per capita basis. In total, over 760 communities took part in the program. 

Moe highlighted Moose Jaw’s use of the funding in his speech. 

“Canada's most notorious city, led by a mayor who spends a lot of time in his spa, and I'm sure he would like many of you to spend some time in his spa as well, utilized most of its $5 million in MEEP funding to construct a new high service pump base,” Moe said.  

“This pump house is large enough to serve a city of 45,000 people.” 

Moe also highlighted the idea by then Minister of Government Relations Lori Carr to fast-track revenue sharing funding for municipal. This led to $278 million being handed out to communities in a lump sum back in June. 

Traditionally, the revenue sharing is paid out in installments to communities. 

Meanwhile, when it comes to the pandemic, Moe said no matter how severe public health orders are, they are simply a stop-gap until widespread vaccinations can be done. 

He said the province is trying to vaccinate everyone as soon as possible and he has been told by the federal government that everyone should be vaccinated by the end of September. 

Moe still has concerns about the slowdown in shipments of vaccines as only about 10 per cent of phase 1 of the rollout plan have been vaccinated. Moe said more on the mass vaccination plan would be announced on Tuesday.