Saskatchewan Finance Minister Kevin Doherty shakes premier Brad Wall's hand after delivering the budget speech during budget day at the Legislative Building in Regina, Saskatchewan on Wednesday June 1, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell
June 01, 2016 - 1:26 PM
REGINA - The Saskatchewan government tabled a $14.5-billion budget Wednesday for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Here are the highlights:
— Deficit forecast to be $434 million, with a plan to balance the budget next year.
— No new taxes or tax increases.
— A $20-million boost to reduce surgery wait times.
— Elimination of funding for parks in five cities.
— Elimination of a tax benefit for families with children in cultural, recreational and sports activities.
— $1.7 billion for government capital projects, with $1 billion of that financed through borrowing.
— More than 1,300 kilometres of provincial highways to see repairs or upgrades this year.
— A special commissioner to be appointed to recommend options for fewer health regions and more efficient delivery of services.
— Some 66,000 families with children and 120,000 seniors to pay more for medicine as drug plan increases to $25 from $20 per prescription.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016