REGINA – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall spoke with media in the legislative building Friday afternoon for the first time since just after the election.
He spent time sharing what he could about the upcoming budget, including a firm date on when it can be expected.
“The budget will be June 1st.”- Premier Wall
Budget details will continue to be hammered out behind closed doors in the weeks ahead. Wall acknowledged there will be some difficult decisions to make.
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“Overall on the billions of dollars worth of budget, it’s in the hundreds of millions we’ll have to find in savings across government.”
Those savings a priority in order to keep strong support for the major files like healthcare, education and social services.
“Some ministries are going to come in lower than last budget. Not the big three, but some will. Some will come in with zeros. They’ll have to so we can support healthcare and education and social services.”
But there are a few things the premier is confident will not change.
“We’re not going to be increasing any taxes.”
Wall also hopes to lay out how government will get back to balance in ’17-’18.
Caucus will take part in an all-day meeting April 22 for budget deliberations.
A number of special interest groups were able to meet with certain ministers before the election for budget consultations.