Sask Party MLAs Joe Hargrave and Alana Ross (Submitted Photo/Saskatchewan Party)

By Derek Craddock

BUDGET REACTION

P.A. lawmakers praise what they call the province’s ‘best budget’

Mar 24, 2023 | 3:00 PM

It’s been more than 48 hours since the provincial budget was released, but two local MLAs are still singing its praises.

The province’s fiscal outlook for the year will include record amounts of spending on areas like education and health care while also looking at capital projects and infrastructure needs.

SaskParty MLAs Joe Hargrave and Alana Ross, who represent two ridings in the Prince Albert area, believe this was one of the best budgets they have ever been a part of.

“This is my seventh budget and I think this is the best budget I’ve seen,” said Hargrave. “We’ve got stuff in there for education, health care, the disabled and lots of stuff for the city.”

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When it comes to the city, Hargrave and Ross touched on items like Municipal Revenue Sharing which is expected to hit almost $8 million for the year for the city. There’s also more funding for RCMP officers to join the Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST).

Education was also a big item for Prince Albert as money is being set aside for a new K-12 Francophone School and renovations to St. John’s Community School

The fiscal year will also have $98 million put towards the redevelopments at Victoria Hospital, according to Hargrave.

“There’s so much happening here and so much happening over this next year,” he said.

Ross said putting together a budget for the entire province is no easy feat, but feels that the government did its best to listen to the needs of each riding.

“We all worked really hard bringing for what we felt was needed in our areas and that was taken to heart in the decisions that were made,” she said. “We have record investment in health and education, the vulnerable. It truly is a growth that works for everyone.”

With every budget comes its fair share of opposition and critics with many including the Sask. NDP and health care unions like SUN and the Teacher’s Federation who said it was not enough and more should have been given.

Hargrave and Ross have heard those critiques but believe the budget is addressing the big needs in Saskatchewan while also paying down its operating debt.

“There’s so much money in it, we have to pay debt,” said Hargrave who pointed to the $1 billion surplus which will help with those payments.

“It’s not just a matter of throwing money, it’s a matter of taking actions.”

Ross said there is so much in the budget and so many things to accomplish over the next fiscal year that it takes time to see its full effects.

“How can we say we haven’t done enough when there hasn’t been time to see what’s going to happen as a result of the work being down and the plans in place,” she said.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock