Health boosted, but families pay in Sask. budget

REGINA – The Saskatchewan government tabled a $14.5-billion budget Wednesday. Here’s a look at who benefits and who takes a hit:

Winners: Drivers. More than 1,300 kilometres of provincial highways to see repairs or upgrades this year.

Winners: The sick. There’s $70.5 million — a $20-million increase over last year — to help shorten wait times for surgery.

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Winners: Taxpayers. No new taxes on anything, not even higher sin taxes for liquor or tobacco.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan trims spending to tackle forecasted $434M deficit

Losers: City parks. The province is eliminating $540,000 in funding for five urban parks in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Battlefords and Weyburn.

Losers: Families with children in activities. An active families benefit, a fully refundable tax benefit of up to $150 a child, to be cut to save $5.5 million yearly.

Losers: Drug plan users. Effective immediately, the cost of the Children and Seniors Drug Plan is rising by $5 a prescription to $25. The province says it should save $6.75 million this year and $9 million annually.