(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

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New federal funding will cover Prince Albert’s nearly $1 million projected pandemic-related deficit, and then some.

On Wednesday, the provincial government announced, Saskatchewan’s portion of the federal Safe Restart Canada Plan would begin being distributed immediately.

Prince Albert’s share of the $70.32 million for Saskatchewan municipalities is $2,284,582.

Funding allocations are based on 2016 census data with $59.65 being awarded per person. That totals $2,143,130 for Prince Albert. The city will also receive an additional $141,453 for transit.

“It’s a huge relief,” City Manager Jim Toye told paNOW, explaining municipalities, unlike the provincial or federal government are not allowed to run deficits, meaning any revenue shortfalls must be made up in the subsequent year’s budget.

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Toye said adminstration will recommend the city use a portion of the federal money to cover the $906,606 projected operating shortfall for 2020, and save the rest for 2021s budget.

City officials and administrators have been calling on senior level of government for help balancing their books in the wake of the pandemic since the spring.

Like Toye Mayor Greg Dionne welcomed the funding announcement.

“It certainly puts us not only in a positive position for 2020,” he said. “But it puts us in a very good position to take on COVID-19 in 2021.”

Dionne added the federal funding would help council keep the 2021 tax increase low.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly said P.A. would receive $141,453 for transit, in addition to its total allocation. In fact the money for transit is included in the total allocation.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom