Money the hot topic as MLAs head back to work next week

REGINA – Saskatchewan MLAs get back to business at the legislative building on Monday and the big focus is expected to be on dollars and cents.

Opposition NDP leader Cam Broten said his focus during the spring sitting will be on attacking the Saskatchewan Party’s spending on things such as increased use of consultants and bloated health care administration – what he calls “pet projects.”

Broten believes years of strong resource revenues in Saskatchewan have gone to waste.

“We’ve seen the provincial budget go from about $8 billion eight years ago now to over $14 billion,” Broten said. “Why don’t we have the very best schools in the country? Why are ambulances lined up outside Royal University Hospital (in Saskatoon)?”

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“These are the questions I’ve been hearing.”

Premier Brad Wall responded, saying a significant amount of money has gone to pay down debt and improve the province’s aging infrastructure.

Balanced budget expected

Oil and potash revenues are down, so it’s expected there will be less money to go around in next month’s budget. But Wall said the government will manage to stay in the black.

“It’s a small surplus for this current year and we’re working towards a balance,” he said. “That means making some difficult decisions and everything is on the table.”

Wall wouldn’t provide an exact number on the surplus he projects, but called a balanced budget a “cornerstone.”

“This is the most challenging budget we’ve put together as a government.”

The budget is scheduled to be delivered on March 18.