The Speaker: — I would like to, on behalf of all the members of the Legislative Assembly, welcome all our guests out to listen to the budget address. I would just like to caution all guests in the galleries and on the floor that you’re not to take part in any of the proceedings. That’s no clapping or talking or heckling, of course. No photos or videos. Thank you.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

PRESENTING PETITIONS

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Centre.

Ms. Nippi-Albright: — Miigwech, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to present the following petition.

The folks who signed this petition wish to bring to your attention the following: the Sask Party government voted against the meaningful duty-to-consult legislation; the Sask Party government continues to move forward in duty-to-consult processes without fulfilling constitutional obligations; the Sask Party has never addressed cumulative impacts, yet duty-to-consult must consider cumulative effects on the ability to practise inherent and treaty rights, before approving projects in Saskatchewan.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to enshrine duty-to-consult into law by enacting the meaningful duty-to-consult legislation.

The folks who signed this petition reside in Regina. I do so present.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Mr. Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet today to present our petition calling on the government to address the cost-of-living crisis.

The undersigned residents of the province wish to bring to your attention the following: that inflation is the highest it’s been in almost three decades; that half of Saskatchewan residents were living paycheque to paycheque before transportation and food costs skyrocketed in 2022; that the Sask Party government’s 32 new tax and fee hikes makes life more expensive, all while harming struggling industries like tourism and culture. While other provinces have acted, the Sask Party government has ignored our calls for a gas price relief plan.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to meaningfully address the cost-of-living crisis in Saskatchewan.

The undersigned residents reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Walsh Acres.

Mr. Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present our petition calling on the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to adequately fund education. Today outside this building, Mr. Speaker, there were 6,000 people rallying for supports for education. Students, teachers, parents, and even grandparents were all outside, and I was proud to be out there with many of my colleagues on this side of the Chamber to support them.

I was a teacher for eight years, and I’ve got to say the colleagues that I got to work with and all teachers across this province, for that matter, are some of the finest professionals you can find. Yet we have a government that treats Saskatchewan teachers with utter disrespect. After a decade of cuts, our education system is at a breaking point. Our kids deserve better. Our teachers deserve better. And the folks who signed this petition in Regina know that to be true.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to provide adequate, sustainable, and predictable operating funds for our 27 public and separate school divisions to ensure that schools, teachers, and other caring professionals are able to meet the needs of every student in Saskatchewan.

I do so present.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Nutana.

Ms. Ritchie: — Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly to fix the crisis in our health care system. The undersigned residents of the province wish to bring to your attention the following: that there were 951 health care closures across rural Saskatchewan between August 2019 and July 2023; that 407 of those closures were to Saskatchewan emergency rooms; that for the first time an emergency room in one of our major cities shut down due to staff shortages; and Saskatchewan has the longest wait times for knee and hip replacement surgeries.

It is unacceptable that women in this province are being forced to travel out of province for routine breast cancer diagnostic care. Saskatchewan people deserve to have adequate and accessible health care where and when they need it, and they can’t trust the government that created and broke our health care system to be the ones to fix it.

I will read the prayer:

We, in the prayer, request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately address short-staffing in health care and work with health care workers on solutions to improve patient care.

This petition is signed by the residents of Regina. I do so submit.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

Remembering Leslie Dubé

Ms. Lambert: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A well-known and influential member of the Saskatoon community, Leslie Dubé, died last Wednesday at the age of 91. He leaves a lasting legacy through far-reaching contributions to charity, community, and country.

Leslie was born in Wynyard. He married Irene Sigurdson in 1954, and they had three children. My oldest sister was close friends with their daughter Debi during high school at Holy Cross.

Mr. Speaker, Les founded the Concorde group of companies, which began as a fresh produce distribution company and expanded into various business ventures including commercial real estate, apartment blocks, motels, and even the Pizza Hut franchise in Saskatoon.

But it was his work in the community that he was most proud of. His son David said, “His second career is what he wants to be remembered for. As much as he was a titan of business, his philanthropy was his true passion in life.”

Mr. Speaker, some of the millions upon millions that Les and Irene donated in Saskatoon alone resulted in the Dubé Centre for Mental Health at RUH [Royal University Hospital] and the Dubé Urology Centre of Health at St. Paul’s Hospital. In 2021 they donated 6 million to the Saskatoon Community Foundation to support six local charitable organizations.

It is not a surprise, Mr. Speaker, that this prolific philanthropist and his wife received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2008, and both were named to the Order of Canada in 2016.

Les Dubé’s kindness and generosity has left a lasting impact in Saskatoon and beyond. We offer our sincere condolences to Irene and his family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Lakeview.

Saskatchewan Leaders in Attendance for Budget Speech

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, once a year on budget day, these galleries are packed with Saskatchewan leaders, and I love to see it. I really do. We welcome, Mr. Speaker, leadership from our urban and rural municipalities, leaders from First Nations and Métis communities, leaders here because they want to see their communities safe, well served, and thriving.

We host small‑business and industry leaders, Mr. Speaker, who want to see our provincial economy on track. And there are health care workers and labour leaders, and there are teachers here inside and thousands more outside. And all want to see better conditions for their members and for the public that they serve. And then, Mr. Speaker, there are regular folk who just want some reassurance that they’re going to be heard and that they’re going to be able to make a go of it.

We’ve been listening, Mr. Speaker. We know that they’re ready for a change, and we want to tell them that change is not only possible; it’s on its way. The Saskatchewan NDP [New Democratic Party] stands ready to deliver the change that people in our province are looking for, and we’re committed to putting people first, to prioritizing the well-being of our communities.

And so as we head into this budget, Mr. Speaker, let’s get ready to create the brighter future that Saskatchewan people are looking for, together.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Economic Reconciliation in Northern Saskatchewan

Mr. Lemaigre: — Mr. Speaker, last week was a very busy time for northern and Indigenous communities. Meadow Lake Tribal Council hosted their Full Circle education conference, Ya’thi Néné Lands and Resources hosted their Athabasca Basin training and employment summit, and our government hosted the Indigenous Business Gathering. Mr. Speaker, these gatherings were well attended, and the energy was incredible.

Mr. Speaker, economic reconciliation by this government, in partnership with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of this great province, could be felt. At one point in our history, Indigenous people were not allowed to be themselves. We were unable to participate in industry and in business, and many of our communities suffered because of this exclusion.

Through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 94 Calls to Action were given to us as a pathway to healing. One of those Calls to Action is more inclusion of Indigenous people in the economy.

Indigenous people have always wanted the opportunity to build their community. Our people are entrepreneurial, dedicated, and capable of providing billions of dollars to our province’s GDP [gross domestic product]. Mr. Speaker, after meeting with proud and dedicated northern Indigenous leaders, I am left with this feeling — hope. We are here, Mr. Speaker, and northern Saskatchewan has a place in our strong economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina University.

Government’s Fiscal Management

Ms. A. Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Now when the Sask Party came to power back in 2007, they came with a promise to balance the budget every year. Well, Mr. Speaker, they have changed, things have changed, and not for the better. Under this Premier with an economic growth record of an abysmal 0.4 per cent, a strong economy is a fever dream. We have the worst job creation record, and we’ve seen nearly 1,000 small businesses close and 19,000 jobs lost.

And the budget? Well they’ve managed to balance it exactly one time since 2015. Now to be fair, Mr. Speaker, they do try. But as we learned at mid-year, even last fiscal, even with this infamous Sask Party math, they still can’t manage. They’ve missed their own revenue projections by hundreds of millions and their expense budget looks to be off by nearly a billion. And just a couple of weeks ago, they took another $750 million in taxpayer money without so much as a word. Now, Mr. Speaker, even in horseshoes and hand grenades, that ain’t close.

Now meanwhile, even in an election year, people are desperate for affordability relief, for family doctors, for more jobs, for bigger paycheques. No one is doing better than they were five years ago. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan can’t afford any more Sask Party math and we simply can’t afford the Sask Party.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Prince Albert Northcote.

Opposition Position on Carbon Tax

Ms. A. Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in the House of Commons, the Conservative Party is planning to move a non-confidence motion that would end the carbon tax. Mr. Speaker, we know how the Liberals are going to vote. The question is, how are the NDP going to vote? Will they vote to scrap the carbon tax and save Canadians money, or will they vote to raise the carbon tax and save Justin Trudeau?

This NDP likes to say, the best indicator of future actions is past actions. So let’s look at what the NDP have said in the past. The member from Saskatoon Nutana has called the carbon tax “a price on pollution, and a necessary one.” The member from Regina Walsh Acres has said, and I quote, “Spoiler alert: I am in favour of the carbon tax.” And the Leader of the Opposition has voted against a motion denouncing the carbon tax.

Mr. Speaker, if this opposition has any credibility, they will tell their federal cousins to stop propping up the Trudeau government and stand up for Saskatchewan people and denounce the carbon tax. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Willowgrove.

[13:45]

Economic Growth in Saskatchewan

Mr. Cheveldayoff: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan’s economy is growing. Our population grew from below a million people in January of 2007 to over 1.2 million people today. Now more than ever, people are choosing to move to Saskatchewan and raise a family in our province.

In 2023 our province saw capital investments valued at $17.1 billion — 8.9 billion more than 2007 — investments like a $60 million processing plant outside of Moose Jaw, reported to be the largest in Canada, with capacity to employ as many as 200 people; Dunkley Lumber investing $100 million into an expansion at their saw mill in Carrot River, expected to create 240 jobs; and BHP’s investment of $6.5 billion into the Jansen potash project, which will create 5,500 construction jobs during development and 900 full-time jobs after completion.

Mr. Speaker, we also dedicated 2023 to building our trade relationships with some of the largest markets on earth. Wholesale trade for our province was valued at $63 billion in 2023. That’s up massively from 48.2 billion when we took government in 2007.

Mr. Speaker, we’re so proud of what Saskatchewan has achieved. A strong economy means a brighter future for everyone. A strong economy means more people, more jobs, and more opportunities. And a strong and growing economy means we can invest in classrooms, care, and communities. Today is a great day in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Rosthern-Shellbrook.

Recognizing Saskatchewan’s Minister of Finance

Hon. Mr. Moe: — Mr. Speaker, it’s my honour to recognize a dear friend on this special day. Today our Deputy Premier will rise in this House and she is going to deliver her seventh and final budget address. In fact this is the most budgets delivered by any Finance minister in Saskatchewan in over 60 years.

There are always challenges in preparing a budget — meeting the demands of a growing province, forecasting revenue and managing expenses, and dealing with economic circumstances that are sometimes out of our control.

And the Deputy Premier has also had a few other challenges to navigate over the course of the last seven budgets. We’ve had a historic drought, a couple of wars, a global pandemic, to name just a few. Maybe she also has the challenge of a premier who sometimes likes to involve himself in the process just a little too much, always trying to be helpful of course. But the Deputy Premier has always had grace under pressure and has endeavoured to make sound decisions in the best interests of Saskatchewan people.

The seven budgets under this Finance minister, we have reduced our reliance on natural resource revenues; we have made record capital investments to build schools, hospitals, and roads; and we have had increases in all of our support programs for our communities’ most vulnerable; some of the largest increases in school operating and health budgets; and we have removed the carbon tax from all home heating bills across the province.

Our Finance minister has never lost sight of the fact that budgets are more than just numbers; budgets are about people. So today I would like to thank the Deputy Premier and her family for her service, for her friendship, and for her strength.

QUESTION PERIOD

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Cost of Living, Carbon Tax, and Affordability Measures

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, this tired and out-of-touch government is failing to deliver the cost-of-living relief that families need. Saskatchewan people are struggling more than anywhere else in Canada just to pay their bills. But this Premier, this Premier has done nothing to help families with the cost of living. Instead we’ve seen them add taxes and fees making life more expensive for families. When will the Premier deliver the cost-of-living relief that Saskatchewan people need?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Mr. Moe: — Mr. Speaker, I rise in my place each and every day and talk about the $2 billion that are in each and every budget, Mr. Speaker. And I suspect those $2 billion are there for affordability measures for Saskatchewan families, removing 112,000 people off the tax rolls altogether — low-income people most of them, many of them low-income families, Mr. Speaker. And I suspect in just a few short minutes you’re going to see the reaffirmation of all of those programs, Mr. Speaker, as well as additional efforts to ensure that in this province we remain — our communities, our families that are living here — remains as one of the most affordable places in the nation of Canada to live, Mr. Speaker.

Something that would help that today is happening in our federal parliament, Mr. Speaker. I would say that there is a motion on the floor to remove the carbon tax across Canada, one of the largest inflationary pressures that Saskatchewan and Canadian families are facing, Mr. Speaker. And I would ask the members opposite, are they contacting their NDP leader, Mr. Speaker, and is the NDP federally, are they going to vote for Canadian jobs or are they going to vote for Justin Trudeau’s job?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, the Premier knows very, very well that we oppose that federal carbon tax. And you know what? I thank him for the opportunity to say it here again on the floor of this Assembly.

But, Mr. Speaker, it is so clear that this tired and out-of-touch government isn’t listening to the people of Saskatchewan. Too many families in this province are forced to choose between rent or buying groceries. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know if the Premier understands. This isn’t an academic exercise; this is about survival for families in this province.

And we’ve called on this Premier, we’ve called time and time again to scrap their fuel tax like the Premiers of Alberta and like the Premier of Manitoba have, Mr. Speaker. But why is this Premier continuing to deny families in this province the relief that they need?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Mr. Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would ask the member opposite why would she want to remove $500 million from the Highways budget, a Highways budget that is making our highways safe across the province, Mr. Speaker, in an area, in a jurisdiction where Saskatchewan families already pay less income tax than both of the jurisdictions that she has mentioned. Mr. Speaker, over $2 billion in affordability measures, Mr. Speaker, which I would say again today are making Saskatchewan one of the most affordable, affordable places to live in the nation of Canada.

The second-lowest utility bundle in Canada, it’s right here in a Saskatchewan community, Mr. Speaker. Tax changes that have brought 112,000 people, many of them low-income families, entirely off the provincial tax rolls. When she cuts her gas tax, Mr. Speaker, is she going to return some of those 112,000 low-income families back to paying Saskatchewan income tax, Mr. Speaker? Because the money does ultimately have to come from somewhere, Mr. Speaker.

Today there is an opportunity for us in this House to agree and to phone any federal counterparts we have and say, let’s support Canadians. Let’s remove the inflationary carbon tax from all Canadians, the consumption carbon tax, Mr. Speaker, which is driving inflation up across this country, have all federal leaders support the opposition, Pierre Poilievre and his motion removing that consumption-based carbon tax, Mr. Speaker.

Will the members opposite side with all Canadians in having a more affordable lifestyle, Mr. Speaker, and support all Canadian jobs, or are they going to support Justin Trudeau with his lifestyle and his job, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Beck: — Tell you what, Mr. Speaker. We can go into the Premier’s office and make the phone call together because I will stand up and say the same thing in every room, Mr. Speaker.

But what is really clear, what is really clear here, Mr. Speaker, that that government doesn’t understand the breaking point that Saskatchewan families are at. People need cost-of-living relief, not just more lines from that government. And day after day, we’ve stood in this Assembly calling on that government to offer some relief to the people of this province. But day after day that Premier stands up and spins lines and says no.

My question: why hasn’t the Premier offered the relief that Saskatchewan people so desperately need?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Mr. Moe: — Mr. Speaker, in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan families would start paying income tax at $26,150. Over $20,000 more than that is when, Mr. Speaker . . . Sorry, that’s in Manitoba. In Saskatchewan you’ll earn another $20,000 before you start paying income tax. That’s one of the ways that we have been able to remove 112,000 families, Saskatchewan families, from paying any provincial income tax whatsoever, Mr. Speaker.

With respect to what’s happening in the federal House, our communication’s been sent to the Leader of the Opposition. We support removing the consumption carbon tax. We support removing the carbon tax on everything for everyone, Mr. Speaker.

I’d ask the Leader of the Opposition, is she going to make that call? Is she going to support Canadian jobs, or is she going to support her leader in supporting Justin Trudeau?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Contract Negotiations with Teachers

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, I thought we had a better hearing plan than that, but the answer is yes, and I already have. But, Mr. Speaker, this tired, this tired and out-of-touch government clearly has a listening problem, and they’re failing families in this province.

They’re also failing families, Mr. Speaker, and teachers and students. That’s why we have teachers, thousands of them, outside the legislature today because this Premier and his failing Education minister refuse to bargain in good faith with teachers. Now the Premier should have gotten a deal with teachers long ago, one that actually addresses class size and complexity — a problem that they created by the way, Mr. Speaker — but he failed.

This dispute has gone on long enough. Will they send this issue to arbitration and get teachers and students back in the classroom?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Mr. Moe: — Mr. Speaker, this government has been making every effort to find points of collaboration, to find opportunities to ensure that our children are in the classroom, Mr. Speaker. The STF [Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation] union has asked for annualized increased funding to our classroom supports. That’s been provided, and we’ve signed an MOU [memorandum of understanding] with school divisions to ensure that that’s the base moving forward for the next four years, Mr. Speaker.

There was a 23 per cent wage increase that was demanded by the STF union, Mr. Speaker. We’re not going to be able to meet that in a jurisdiction where we already invest more per capita than any other jurisdiction or province in the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker. But they asked for the mirroring of the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] salary increases, Mr. Speaker. We’ve provided that. They asked for control over their health benefits plan, Mr. Speaker. We’ve offered that.

The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, we have said yes many times. The STF union has not said yes. We would ask them to say yes, and we would ask parents to reach out to the union, Mr. Speaker, and ask the union to return to the bargaining table, ask them to say yes to that. Let’s find a good deal for teachers, a good deal for Saskatchewan taxpayers. Let’s get our teachers back in the classroom, Mr. Speaker, and let’s let the kids play.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, this tired and out-of-touch government needs to get a deal done with Saskatchewan teachers so our students can get back to the classroom. Saskatchewan families need that deal done now. This has gone on long enough. And teachers have been crystal clear: this job action would end immediately if this government would agree to send the issue of class size and complexity to a fair and independent process of binding arbitration. Teachers, parents, and students — they deserve that fair process and they deserve a deal. It’s time for that Minister of Education to get out of the way.

Why won’t the Minister of Education do that today and send this dispute to fair and independent binding arbitration?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Mr. Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member opposite and you as well, Mr. Speaker, exactly what the Premier just outlined: several items where the government has moved in order to get a deal done that’s going to work for teachers in this province, taxpayers, and students and families, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I should remind the member opposite that any sanctions are the choice of the STF leadership and the STF leadership alone. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity today to talk with athletes from the northeast area of our province, Mr. Speaker, from Preeceville, from Sturgis, from Norquay, Mr. Speaker. These students should be finishing up their classes for the day and getting ready for Hoopla in one of their last practices of the week. But instead the STF leadership has decided to target this tournament and other extracurricular activities, and now those kids who should be on the court are here today at the legislature, Mr. Speaker. It’s time to let the kids play.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

Mr. Love: — Mr. Speaker, if that minister thinks that his offer to teachers is fair, if he believes the words he just spoke in the Assembly are actually correct, then he should have no problem proving it. He should have no problem sending his offer to binding arbitration to get a binding decision. But that minister won’t do it. He won’t do it. He would rather see this job action go on and on and on while everyone else pays the price.

Mr. Speaker, there is one person in this province with the power to end this dispute once and for all, and it’s that failing Minister of Education. When will he recognize that he’s the problem? It’s time for him to get out of the way, send this dispute to a fair and independent process to get a fair deal for Saskatchewan teachers, Saskatchewan students, and Saskatchewan families.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Mr. Cockrill: — Mr. Speaker, I would remind the member opposite that again, as the Premier outlined earlier, this province already invests more per capita into K to 12 [kindergarten to grade 12] education than any other province in Canada, Mr. Speaker, and has been for multiple years, Mr. Speaker.

[14:00]

Mr. Speaker, in just a few minutes we’re going to have this 2024‑2025 provincial budget released, Mr. Speaker, and it’s going to see an additional investment into K to 12 education in this province to ensure that supports can be offered to our students by our teachers across the province, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, binding arbitration is not an option because the STF have only been at the bargaining table for 30 minutes in the last five months. That’s not acceptable, Mr. Speaker. People of this province deserve better. The teachers of the federation deserve better, Mr. Speaker. There’s only one person standing in the way of Hoopla going on this weekend, and that’s the STF president.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Social Services’ Policies on Emergency Hotel Stays

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, it almost seems like he still thinks he’s the Minister of Highways and can’t change direction. But he can, and this government needs to get a deal done with teachers.

And they need to come clean on the way they’re wasting public money on hotels connected to this Sask Party government. Last year I asked the Sask Party for basic information about why the minister paid 50 per cent more once the Ministry of Social Services was picking up the tab — 200 bucks a night, the Sunrise Motel, Mr. Speaker.

It took months to get an answer from that minister. He ran the clock, and now I can see why. The documents show that minister is paying inflated rates to not one but two hotels connected to that minister’s officemate, the Sask Party member from Regina Northeast.

When did the Minister of Social Services learn there were actually two hotels connected to Sask Party MLAs in the Sunrise scandal?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, I answered many questions on this, Mr. Speaker, gave the information to that member, an extensive amount of information. The ministry worked very hard to tabulate that over many years and many different places where the procurement took place, Mr. Speaker. So we rely on those if there is an overuse of shelters and other providers, Mr. Speaker. We look to provide that in emergency situations for those who are vulnerable in our communities, Mr. Speaker. That’s been the same process that has been used by the NDP when they were in government, Mr. Speaker.

What I have committed to do is change the NDP policy. We’re working on an RFP [request for proposal] proposal, Mr. Speaker, and we’re working on ensuring that there are quotes going forward for front-line emergency workers. We want to ensure that there is a place to stay for vulnerable people, but we also want to try and get the best rate as well.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, the question was actually, when he learned there were two hotels connected to his government. Mr. Speaker, when these numbers first came to light in February, that minister said there weren’t any other hotels connected to government MLAs. We know now that’s not true. The conflict-of-interest filings for the member from Regina Northeast show he’s an investor at the Thriftlodge motel. It’s a source of income.

Did the minister really not know that the Thriftlodge is connected to a Sask Party MLA? Was he running interference for the member that he shares a constituency office with, or does he really know so little about his own file?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, we rely on ministry caseworkers as well as third-party providers, Mobile Crisis Services for front-line emergency services that are available out there, Mr. Speaker. One of those is hotels when it is needed. Those caseworkers do great work in our communities to ensure vulnerable people are looked after. They’re the ones that decide what hotels may be available on any given night, Mr. Speaker, and then that is the process that takes place.

However, Mr. Speaker, we want to strengthen those policies to ensure that we’re getting the best deal for taxpayers, but also at the end of the day, at the bottom line, we want to ensure individuals who are in a difficult situation — whether it be fleeing domestic violence or having a challenging time when it’s minus 30 out, for example, Mr. Speaker — that’s got to be at the front of any decision made.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, It gets worse. Of all hotels, that minister paid the two most inflated rates at the two hotels connected to his officemate, the Sask Party MLA for Regina Northeast. It’s right there in their own documents. That minister paid an average of $162 per night. That’s 64 per cent what the Sunrise Motel usually charges, a hotel owned by the member from Regina Northeast. The minister paid an average of $185 a night to the Thriftlodge, which is an increase of almost 106 per cent. Surely that’s not the best deal for taxpayers, Mr. Speaker.

Why is the Minister of Social Services comfortable with paying 106 per cent more to a hotel connected to his constituency officemate?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, the member opposite’s talking about the old NDP policies. We are strengthening our policies going forward, Mr. Speaker. So what we’re doing, we want to secure a block of rooms both in Regina and Saskatoon, do an RFP for that, Mr. Speaker, as well as have a look at paying damage deposits. That was a policy, to not pay damage deposits.

We hope this will increase the amount of hotels available that are willing to take on clients that are often difficult and difficult to house, Mr. Speaker. So we want to do that, but we also want to ensure there’s three quotes on a regular basis going forward and to help guide caseworkers and those on the front lines to be able to make those difficult decisions, often late at night in emergency situations, to have that number to be able to get the best rate possible.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, there are other circumstances around that. We want to ensure that, at the bottom line, we want to make sure that individuals who are . . . very difficult situation. The member opposite has advocated for hotel use for her constituents, Mr. Speaker. We want to make sure . . .

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Ms. Conway: — Interesting thing, Mr. Speaker. The Sunrise Motel only received 282 bucks in the 2018 fiscal year from the Ministry of Social Services before the member for Regina Northeast was elected. It wasn’t until after his election and after the appointment of the now Social Services minister to that role, who also happens to share a constituency office with the member, that the annual payouts to the Sunrise Motel jumped suddenly to closer to $220,000 per year.

Since its owner’s election in 2020, the Sunrise has now received over $368,000. How does the Minister of Social Services explain this massive increase in payments to his officemate’s hotel? What changed? The election? He assumed the role of Social Services? What changed?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, again I’ve answered this question many times before. We’re going to ensure our policies are clear and we want to change them, as I just noted in my previous answer.

I also want to tell the public that we’re working with the auditor as well. The member had called for the auditor to come in. We’ve asked the auditor to come, and ministry officials are working closely with her and her office to ensure that procurement is done.

And we want to ensure again we have the best deal for the taxpayer, but at the same time make sure individuals in difficult situations have a roof over their heads, Mr. Speaker. That’s the most important thing here we have to remember, Mr. Speaker. We see over and over again, Mr. Speaker, the NDP put politics before people.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Ms. Conway: — Yes, Mr. Speaker, the auditor is looking into this. It was too bad that they voted down our motion that would see the results of that audit come out before the election.

Mr. Speaker, the minister has claimed he’s come clean about everything. And Saskatchewan people deserve to know the truth when it comes to the money this government is wasting on motels connected to the Sask Party MLAs.

I wrote to the minister more than a month ago, Mr. Speaker, asking for more answers about public money spent at the Thriftlodge motel, the other hotel connected to the member from Regina Northeast. Still no answer, Mr. Speaker. So I’ll ask the minister what I asked in my letter. How much public money has he paid out to the Thriftlodge motel each year since 2018?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, we’ve been very transparent. As I said before, we got all the information. It is a significant amount of information. I want to thank the people in the public service that did an extremely good and a large amount of work to get that information to the member. And so if she has additional questions we’ll certainly bring that number forward, Mr. Speaker, very soon.

So, Mr. Speaker, again I think the bottom line here is we want to change policies. We’ve done that. The process is happening as we speak, Mr. Speaker, on the RFP side as well, ensuring there is transparency around the quotes that are available for hotel usage when needed for individuals who are . . . whatever the case may be. There may have been a fire in their apartment, Mr. Speaker. There may have been someone fleeing domestic violence. There may be someone who is just in a difficult situation, happen to be in the city. So, Mr. Speaker, that’s our focus, vulnerable . . .

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, well over half a million dollars has gone out to hotels connected to that member. That’s 15 per cent of the overall budget for all hotels within the province. The waste of public money is astounding, and it matters. It matters because Saskatchewan people work hard for their money. They want to see those dollars going to health care, to highways, to sustainable housing, not into Sask Party MLA bank accounts.

And it matters because it is exactly how we got to where we are today, a tired and out-of-touch government that has added more debt than any other government in Saskatchewan history. It’s no surprise that Premier has added more debt than we saw under Grant Devine himself.

How does the Minister of Social Services justify wasting so much public money, knowing full well it’ll be Saskatchewan people holding the bag?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, once again, I’ve answered several questions in this area. We’ve changed how we’re going to attempt to procure hotels, Mr. Speaker. Occasionally we do need hotels when there is overflow in other service providers, which we’ve been able to increase with investments from this government in terms of homeless shelters, whatever it may be. Only due to a strong, growing economy are we able to afford that, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to strengthen policy around this area, Mr. Speaker.

The member, though, talked about wasting money, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to question that. What is the maximum number that member would do to put a roof over somebody’s head in an emergency situation, Mr. Speaker? That’s what we’re talking about here — vulnerable people, Mr. Speaker. Again and again we see that members opposite, the NDP, they’re putting politics, partisan politics, above vulnerable people.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Centre.

Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Ms. Nippi-Albright: — Miigwech, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since 2018 nearly 2,000 people have died from overdose in this province. 1,170 of those overdose deaths were First Nations or Métis people. Indigenous people are only 17 per cent of Saskatchewan, but we were almost 60 per cent of all overdoses.

When will we see an evidence-based plan from this government that will stop the harm in Indigenous communities and save lives?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The message that we are sending to communities around Saskatchewan is that no illicit drugs are safe. Mr. Speaker, that’s why we are focused on getting people, all people in Saskatchewan, the treatment that they need to overcome addictions and live healthy lives in recovery.

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced a plan that is expanding addictions treatment capacity across Saskatchewan. We are adding 500 addiction treatment spaces across Saskatchewan. We are making it easier for people to access those spaces, and we are wrapping supports around those individuals, Mr. Speaker, through a recovery-oriented system of care. We know, Mr. Speaker, that by helping people overcome their addictions and by supporting them through recovery we can save lives, we can heal families, and we can strengthen our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

TABLING OF ESTIMATES AND SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES

Hon. Ms. Harpauer: — Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to submit the estimates and supplementary estimates accompanied by a message from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

[14:15]

The Speaker: — Those that are able to, please rise for the message from the Lieutenant Governor. The message is as follows:

The Lieutenant Governor transmits estimates of certain sums required for the service of the province for the 12 months ending March 31st, 2025, and supplementary estimates no. 2 of certain sums required for the service of the province for the 12 months ending March 31st, 2024, and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

His Honour the Honourable Russell B. Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor, province of Saskatchewan.

Please be seated. I recognize the Minister of Finance.

MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGETARY POLICY
(BUDGET DEBATE)

Hon. Ms. Harpauer: — Mr. Speaker, colleagues, and guests, it is my honour today to present the 2024‑25 Saskatchewan budget, our government’s 17th budget and my seventh budget as Finance minister. Every one of those budgets have been driven by the same guiding principle, that a strong economy means a brighter future for our great province and a strong economy means more people, more jobs, and more opportunities. And it means that we can reinvest the benefits of growth in the vital services that make Saskatchewan the best place to live.

This budget continues to follow that guiding principle. In fact, this budget delivers the largest ever new investments in three of the most important areas to Saskatchewan people and Saskatchewan’s future: classrooms, care, and communities. This budget delivers the largest ever increase in school operating funding, up 180 million or nearly 9 per cent to $2.2 billion. This budget delivers the largest ever increase in health funding, up 726 million or more than 10 per cent to 7.6 billion. And this budget delivers the largest ever increase in municipal revenue sharing to Saskatchewan’s communities, cities, towns, villages, and rural municipalities, up 42 million or 14 per cent to 340 million. Record funding. Record funding increases to schools, record funding increase to health care, record funding increase to municipalities — classrooms, care, communities.

Sometime this year, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan’s population will reach 1.25 million people. That’s up a quarter of a million people since our government was first elected. My last budget, Mr. Speaker, I spoke of how my family, since I have been elected, has contributed to that population growth. And I thought when I named my grandchildren that I was done, that we would be a while. However I was wrong, and today we have with us a miracle baby in my family, eight-day-old Joy.

Mr. Speaker, Joy was unexpected, and she is the daughter of my youngest daughter, Lindsay Root, and her husband, Matt. Also joining me is the rest of my family: my fan club and my critic, my middle daughter, Shannon Harpauer, and her partner, Brian Burgess, and my grandchildren Emryk and Makenna; and my oldest daughter who’s always been just the stalwart of the family, Crystal — unfortunately her husband is still at work — and my grandsons James and Lucas. Thank you so much.

You know, this budget, Mr. Speaker, responds to the challenges of a growing province by reinvesting the benefits of a growing province. The dark days of declining population, of closing schools and hospitals, and underfunding our communities are now in the past. Our government vows to keep them in the past as we work to always build a stronger economy and a brighter future.

Mr. Speaker, the budget makes these important new investments without any new taxes or tax increases. It continues to deliver more than 2 billion in affordability measures announced in previous budgets, like reductions in personal income tax and indexation of tax brackets. And while not a budget measure, on January 1st our government removed the federal carbon tax on home heating, saving Saskatchewan families an average of about $400 per year.

The 19.9 billion revenue forecast in the 2024‑25 budget is up 184.2 million or 0.9 per cent from last year. The increase is primarily due to growth in all revenue categories except non-renewable resources, largely due to the moderation of potash prices. Total expense is projected at 20.1 billion in the 2024‑25 budget, an increase of 1.5 billion or 7.9 per cent over last year’s budget.

The 2024‑25 budget has a projected deficit of 273.2 million but is expected to return to a surplus position in 2025‑26 due to increasing revenues driven by economic growth and a growing labour force.

Saskatchewan continues to maintain the second-lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in Canada at 14 per cent. Mr. Speaker, just to put that in context, that’s less than one-third of the federal government’s debt-to-GDP ratio of 46.8 per cent.

The 2024‑25 budget supports students and teachers through a record-level investment of 3.3 billion for the Ministry of Education. That’s up 8.1 per cent over last year’s budget and is an increase of 247.8 million to support pre-kindergarten to grade 12 schools, early learning, child care, and libraries. Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions will receive 2.2 billion in school operating funding for the 2024‑25 school year, a record increase of 180 million over the previous year.

To ensure future enrolment increases are funded, school divisions will receive an additional 35 million. In addition to this, 29.8 million will be provided to fund operational pressures such as salaries for non-teaching positions like bus drivers and educational assistants. Mr. Speaker, this budget focuses on what the teachers and students and parents have told us matter most.

Overall this budget provides 356.6 million in supports for our classrooms, including funding to address classroom size and complexity. This is an increase of 45.6 million, or 14.7 per cent from the previous year, to help students and teachers in the classroom. This includes annualizing 4.9 million for the teacher innovation and support pilot program and specialized support classroom pilot to help better provide teacher and student experiences.

Building new schools and more classrooms is a priority for our rapidly growing province. This budget invests 216 million for kindergarten to grade 12 school capital, an increase of 46.6 per cent over the previous year, including 28.5 million for relocatable classrooms. This includes ongoing funding for 11 projects and three major renovations currently under way in Lanigan, Carlyle, La Loche, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina, Prince Albert, Balgonie, and Wilcox. As well the budget includes funding for the planning of nine new schools and two major renovations in Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Pinehouse, and South Corman Park.

The 2024‑25 budget provides 408.7 million for early years and child care, an increase of 5.5 per cent, to increase the number of regulated child care spaces available at $10 a day.

Our government is investing 793 million in the post-secondary education sector, an increase of 3.7 per cent, to enrich the student experience and provide more opportunities for students to train and pursue careers here in Saskatchewan. Post-secondary institutions are receiving approximately 724 million in operating and capital grants including 492.7 million to the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, and the federal and affiliated colleges. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine will also receive new funding to explore infrastructure expansion.

Indigenous teacher education programs will continue to receive funding supporting the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages in the province. There is 193.8 million for Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and the Dumont Technical Institute, as well as 37.1 million for Saskatchewan’s regional colleges.

This budget provides a one-time $12 million top-up to its current multi-year funding agreement with post-secondary institutions. This is a 2.2 per cent increase in operating funding to help institutions remain responsive to the needs of students and our growing labour market.

Saskatchewan post-secondary students will also benefit directly from 46.5 million in financial supports, including a new grant to help reduce financial barriers for low-income students with dependants. The graduate retention program will continue to provide up to $20,000 in tax credits to post-secondary students who live and work in Saskatchewan. Mr. Speaker, this is the most generous program of its kind in the country, and more than 81,600 students have benefited from this program to date.

Since 2007 our government has proudly invested approximately 14.2 billion in post-secondary institutions and student support. We will continue to invest in Saskatchewan’s present and future labour force. The 2024‑25 budget includes nearly 80 million in funding for several workforce development programs. The budget also includes an increase of 1.5 million to support the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission in adding 250 apprentice training seats for construction-related trades. This addition brings the total investment in apprenticeship training to 22.9 million and will increase the total number of training seats to 4,700.

An increase of 856,000 in this budget will support a record-high allocation of 8,000 nominations through the Saskatchewan immigrant nominee program and will enhance fraud detection and integrity services within the program.

Mr. Speaker, this budget also makes record investments in health care: 7.6 billion to the Ministry of Health, an overall increase of 726.4 million or 10.6 per cent over the previous year’s budget. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will receive 4.7 billion or a 5.6 per cent increase compared to last year.

Mr. Speaker, we have made great strides in recruiting and retaining health care professionals through the health human resources action plan. Since September of 2021, 262 physicians have been recruited to Saskatchewan from outside the province, while we’ve also attracted 40 positions from outside the country. This includes 107 family physicians and 155 specialists. We are committed to continuing to recruit more health care professionals. The health human resources action plan will continue to deliver on the commitment to add 250 new or enhanced permanent health care providers in rural and remote locations.

In Advanced Education 3.4 million in new funding will create 66 additional training seats in high-demand health training programs. There will be a focus on training for registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and other hard-to-recruit professions. A further 11.4 million will support the continued implementation of the significant seat expansions announced in previous years. This includes approximately 10.8 million for occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and physician recruitment programs at the University of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Immigration and Career Training will be investing 4.1 million for training and settlement supports for in-demand health occupations. This investment includes 2.4 million to support training seats for continuing care aides, licensed practical nurses, and medical lab assistants. It also includes 1.8 million for the credential recognition supports such as streamlined and accelerated assessments, training, and licensure pathways and settlement programming for internationally trained health care workers.

[14:30]

This budget also includes record capital investment of 516.8 million for facilities and equipment, which is 179 million higher than last year’s budget. This includes 180 million for the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, 55 million for the Weyburn General Hospital, 27 million for La Ronge long-term care, 21.9 million to complete the Regina General Hospital parkade, and 20 million for specialized long-term care bed replacements in Regina.

Mr. Speaker, since 2007 the province has invested more than 2.9 billion into facilities and equipment to improve health care across the province. The 2024‑25 budget will also expand patient access to primary and community care through multiple initiatives. A $16 million increase will help improve access to nurse practitioners through integration into primary health care settings, support HealthLine 811, and enhance support for chronic pain clinics in Regina and Saskatoon.

This budget also includes a $30 million increase to support the Saskatoon and Regina capacity pressure action plans. Other measures to improve patient care include a $7.5 million increase in annual funding to enhance emergency medical services across the province; a 4.5 million increase to stabilize and enhance neurology and cardiology services; a $2.5 million increase for kidney health and organ tissue donation programs; and a 2.2 million increase for children’s care, including the provincial pediatric gastroenterology program.

It also includes a $5.1 million increase for specialized medical imaging services to add essential CT [computerized tomography] and MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] capacity and reduce the wait-lists for these important diagnostic procedures.

This budget includes a 3.5 million increase for surgical programs to improve the quality of life for thousands of patients and continue to reduce the surgical wait-list.

Mr. Speaker, in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, April to December 2023, 71,850 surgeries have been performed, a new record for the province and an increase of 6,000 procedures over the previous year.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will see an increase of 26.1 million for a total record budget of 248.9 million to ensure patients can access the most effective and leading-edge oncology drugs, therapies, and treatment options.

This year’s budget will deliver timely, exceptional cancer care services for Saskatchewan women. A $3.5 million increase for breast cancer care and screening initiatives will include technology enhancements, new diagnostic imaging equipment, and the establishment of the breast health centre here in Regina. A $1 million grant will be designated for important ongoing ovarian cancer research.

Mr. Speaker, Mental Health and Addictions will receive its highest ever budget of 574 million, about 7.5 per cent of the total health budget, with an increase of 34 million for targeted initiatives.

Saskatchewan’s action plan for mental health and addictions has three pillars: enhancing treatment capacity, improving the system, and moving to a recovery-oriented system of care model focusing on treatment and recovery. This budget includes an investment of 4.7 million in targeted mental health initiatives with a strong focus on youth, including 1 million to expand the mental health capacity-building programs in schools; 150,000 for prenatal outreach and response teams through Sanctum Care Group; and 120,000 for Saskatchewan youth homes.

The remaining youth-targeted increases will fund commitments such as psychiatry, support services in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well as the BridgePoint Center for eating disorders. The budget also provides a 29.2 million increase for targeted initiatives to address addictions in vulnerable populations.

Mr. Speaker, the largest funding increase in Saskatchewan’s history in classrooms, the largest funding increase in Saskatchewan’s history for care, and the largest funding increase in Saskatchewan’s history for communities.

Cities, towns, villages, and rural municipalities throughout Saskatchewan will receive a record increase of 42.4 million in municipal revenue sharing. This is an increase of 14.2 per cent from the year before and a total of 340.2 million in unconditional support for municipalities in the province.

Mr. Speaker, this increase is entirely driven by the strength of our economy. It is based on a dependable, predictable formula introduced by our government that sees municipalities receive a share of the PST [provincial sales tax]. So as our population grows, our economy grows and people spend more money in our province. Saskatchewan communities directly benefit from that growth.

An additional 350.1 million, an increase of 2 million, will be directed to infrastructure programs in partnership with municipalities, cost-sharing important infrastructure projects in communities across our entire province.

This budget invests 29.5 million to support municipalities and industry partners to make investments in the provincial transportation system. These investments include supporting economic growth and safety on rural and municipal roads.

Mr. Speaker, this budget includes 719.4 million for the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety to maintain and promote public safety and the well-being of our community. Corrections, Policing and Public Safety budget includes more than 228 million to fund the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] operations in the province, and a 21.6 million for the RCMP’s First Nations policing program.

This budget also provides 23.1 million for 160 municipal police positions, including 17 combined traffic service positions funded by SGI [Saskatchewan Government Insurance] and other public safety initiatives through the municipal police grants program.

The 2024‑25 budget includes 7 million to continue the implementation and hiring for the Saskatchewan marshals service in anticipation of the service becoming operational in 2026.

It includes a $37 million investment in the ongoing expansion of the Saskatoon remand centre, which will provide more space to manage and provide rehabilitation programming.

This budget includes 12.35 million for the Saskatchewan firearms office, which will help fund a ballistics laboratory at its headquarters in Saskatoon.

An investment of more than 250 million for the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General will support justice services and community well-being in our province. Our government is committed to addressing the unacceptable interpersonal and gender-based violence. This year’s budget is investing 31.7 million for interpersonal violence programs and services, which includes 4.66 million in funding through the national action plan to end gender-based violence.

It also includes annualized funding of 328,000 for second-stage housing and, Mr. Speaker, the 2024‑25 budget provides the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency with 5.5 million deposit on four air tankers to help manage wildfires and will replace our current fleet, which is approaching its end of life.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable places in Canada to live, work, and raise a family. We want to keep it that way. That’s why this budget includes no new taxes and no tax increases, and continues to deliver more than 2 billion in affordability measures.

Saskatchewan continues to have among the lowest personal income taxes in the country. Saskatchewan families will continue to benefit from reduced education property tax, and programs and services designed to make life more affordable. This includes the active families benefit, the children’s drug plan, and programs to help fund insulin pumps and glucose monitors. This budget also delivers a $4 million increase to the autism spectrum disorder individualized funding program to continue to meet the needs of children and their families.

The 2024‑25 budget will help low-income individuals, families, and seniors provide for their basic needs. The budget includes a $17 million investment to deliver the first full year of the Saskatchewan employment incentive program, making life more affordable for low-income families.

Targeted seniors’ care initiatives will receive 43.4 million increase to stabilize services and programming so Saskatchewan seniors can live safely and comfortably in their communities.

The 2024‑25 provincial budget invests in the renewed PST rebate on new home construction program and the recently introduced Saskatchewan secondary suite incentive program to help homeowners with affordability and increase housing and renting availability across the province.

This budget strengthens the support provided to families and communities, and includes a record 1.5 billion for the Ministry of Social Services, an increase of 112.4 million or 7.8 per cent compared to last year.

The 2024‑25 budget includes 28.9 million, an increase of 16.7 million, to continue to fund the provincial approach to homelessness. This investment consists of 7.2 million increase to support ongoing emergency shelter operations and a 9.5 million capital investment to continue to develop supportive housing spaces in Regina and Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will invest 83.4 million to maintain and repair up to 1,400 provincially owned housing units. This includes an additional 9.6 million in provincial funding to prevent and reduce vacancies and respond to the increasing demand of social housing.

The 2024‑25 budget supports people with disabilities and includes 10.4 million to support the changing service needs of current clients with intellectual disabilities and the delivery of residential and day programs to new clients and 7.6 million investment to plan and construct 10 new group homes and one assessment and stabilization home.

Monthly income assistance benefits will increase by 3 per cent for the Saskatchewan assured income for disability or SAID, and the Saskatchewan income assistance or SIS [Saskatchewan income support] client. This is the second year in a row where benefits have increased for the SAID program and the third straight year of increases for SIS. The personal care home benefit monthly income threshold will increase by $100 to 2,500 to help make living in a licensed care home more affordable for seniors.

In 2024‑25, community-based organizations across government will receive a 3 per cent funding increase totalling 18.1 million. Our community-based service providers are critical in helping Saskatchewan people achieve a better quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, all of these vital investments in classrooms, care, communities, and other important government services are only possible because of a strong and growing economy. Saskatchewan is one of the best places in the world to invest and do business, and that means more jobs and more opportunities in every part of the province.

In the most recent report from Stats Canada, 18,700 new full-time jobs were created in Saskatchewan over the last year. That’s one new full-time job created in Saskatchewan every 28 minutes. Just think about it. That means a new job has been created somewhere in Saskatchewan since I started this speech. And I promise I’ll wrap it up before we get two new jobs.

Our government will always be committed to strengthening our economy to build a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people and the communities where they live. We recognize the contribution of small businesses to our growing economy, and for that reason the small-business tax rate reduction down to 1 per cent will be extended for another year, until June 30th, 2025.

Saskatchewan will continue to have the second-lowest small-business tax rate in Canada. From the time the small-business tax rate was lowered in the fall of 2020, Saskatchewan small businesses will have saved an estimated $416 million in corporate income tax. The amount of the eligible business income on which the small-business tax rate applies will remain at 600,000, the highest threshold in Canada. That means Saskatchewan will continue to have the second-lowest small-business tax rate in Canada, and that’s important.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is an exporting province. More export sales abroad mean more jobs here at home. With a budget of 40.6 million, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development is supporting Saskatchewan’s economy by expanding our presence in international markets. Private companies have committed to more than 60 large-scale investment projects across the province in recent years, totalling more than 39 billion. This includes projects in the agri-value manufacturing and processing, mining, forestry, and energy sectors.

[14:45]

The 2024‑25 budget includes 53.8 million for the Ministry of Energy and Resources to support our growing economy, with a focus on Saskatchewan’s world-class natural resources. Included in this ministry’s budget is 10 million in funding over 10 years for the public geoscience initiative, which will support increased exploration for critical minerals. In recognition of the important role of critical minerals in the global economy, the budget introduces the Saskatchewan critical mineral innovation incentive to support new technology pilot projects. The budget also introduces the complementary critical mineral processing investment incentive, which is open to new and expanded value-added processing projects.

Our province feeds the world, and our agriculture industry is the centre of Saskatchewan’s growing economy. The 2024‑25 budget invests 570.6 million in agriculture, an increase of 22.4 million, or 4.1 per cent, from the previous year. This funding will allow the Ministry of Agriculture to fund agriculture research and enhancements to crop insurance while investing in important programming for producers and agribusinesses. In recognition of the challenging weather and soil conditions faced by some of our producers, the ministry’s budget provided 431.7 million to fully fund federal-provincial risk-management programs, including crop insurance and AgriStability. This is an increase of 23.7 million from the year before.

The 2024‑25 provincial budget provides 89.4 million for strategic initiatives under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Included among these initiatives are the irrigation development and irrigation efficiency programs that will help develop new irrigated acres and support improved energy and water efficiency of existing systems. More than 55,000 new irrigated acres have been developed in Saskatchewan over the last four years, which means the province is on track to meet our growth plan goal of 85,000 irrigated acres by 2030.

Mr. Speaker, people travel to our province from across Canada and around the world to enjoy the natural beauty of Saskatchewan and experience our first-class hunting and fishing. To ensure visitors to our parks have a great experience, the 2024‑25 budget provides 15 million for capital and infrastructure improvements at provincial parks in Saskatchewan. The budget also doubles provincial funding to the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association to 1.23 million, a lift of 615,000 from 2023‑24. These funds, Mr. Speaker, will help pay for improvements and preventative maintenance in regional parks which house campgrounds and recreation areas that serve local communities and tourists.

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to build Saskatchewan. This budget delivers on the largest investment in capital projects in Saskatchewan history. Saskatchewan Crown corporations will spend approximately 2.6 billion on capital projects this year to support economic growth and maintain and improve utility infrastructure. 1.9 million is being invested in capital projects through executive government.

In addition to the many capital projects already outlined in health and education, this budget invests 741 million in the construction and maintenance of a safe and efficient transportation system. The highways budget provides 417.3 million for transportation capital to improve more than 1100 kilometres of provincial highways, including 260 kilometres of repaving, 765 kilometres of light- and medium-pavement preservation, 58 kilometres of thin membrane surface improvement, and 25 kilometres of gravel rehabilitation.

Other investments in provincial transportation infrastructure includes 73.5 million to build, operate, and maintain the transportation system in northern Saskatchewan, and 59.3 million to repair or rebuild 17 bridges and replace more than 100 culverts. Since 2008 the Government of Saskatchewan has invested more than 13 billion in transportation infrastructure, improving more than 20 700 kilometres of highways.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is now home to nearly a quarter of a million people. And when our government was first elected 17 years and 17 budgets ago . . . I’ve had the opportunity to work on the development of all 17 of those budgets, and the honour and privilege of delivering the last seven. This budget, like all those budgets, is designed to ensure our province continues to grow and that all Saskatchewan people enjoy the benefits of that growth — more opportunities, more good jobs and careers, vibrant communities, and a great quality of life supported by important government services.

That’s what every budget’s about, and that’s what this budget is about — investing the benefits of growth in classrooms, care, and communities. Mr. Speaker, this budget will ensure that our province continues to grow and that our economy remains strong and that Saskatchewan’s future is bright.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for Saskatoon Willowgrove:

That the Assembly approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

The Speaker: — It has been moved by the Minister of Finance, seconded by the member for Saskatoon Willowgrove:

That the Assembly approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member for Regina Rosemont.

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, it’s a great honour to rise on behalf of Saskatchewan’s official opposition to respond to the budget that was just presented, here on Treaty 4 territory and the homeland of the Métis, on the floor of the Saskatchewan legislature.

But before I do so, let me just say how much potential this province has. Saskatchewan has the resources, the work ethic, and the big ideas to thrive in a big way. You can see that clearly by the people that have joined us here today in the galleries, on the floor, every last one of you.

I see municipal leaders, rural and urban, that care deeply about their communities. I see Indigenous leaders and leaders in business, health, education, arts, and culture. We’re joined by some of the world’s finest agricultural producers, faith and cultural community leaders, and community builders who make our province rich.

Of course we have our differences, but we share together a common commitment to a brighter future for all the people in Saskatchewan, from corner to corner to corner to corner.

As the Finance minister did, she identified her family. I’m pretty lucky to have two of them here today: my wife, Stephanie, who’s an amazing partner in life, a dedicated schoolteacher who wants to be in a classroom; and my son William who’s here with us here today. And thank goodness he gets his looks from his mom, Mr. Speaker. He can land fish, Mr. Speaker, outfishes me regularly and certainly his grandpa, who’s back there with my mom as well, my mom and dad.

I also just want to say real briefly to the Finance minister, it’s your last budget. There’s been many. We haven’t always agreed on everything; there’s been a couple of differences along the way. But I respect your service, and I respect the service of your family and how that connects, because I know what that looks like as well.

[Applause]

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Oh, they’re going to stop clapping real quick here, Mr. Speaker.

To all that have joined us here today, I want you to know that this official opposition team and this leader is committed to listening and working with you to make sure that our province’s best days lie ahead. Because if this budget is proof of anything, it’s that after 17 years, this tired and out-of-touch government is out of touch with the challenges working families are facing and the opportunities to be seized.

You know, when I picked up the budget and reviewed it, I flipped through the first page, second page, through to the end. I was looking for the help for families when it comes to cost of living from a government that has chosen, time and time again, to deny and ignore the cost-of-living reality and hardship that so many families are facing.

Flipped to the end. I’d like to say I couldn’t believe it, but I could. Because this Sask Party government has shown their true colours time and time again on just how out of touch they are with the cost of living, how little they care on this front.

So sadly it’s not a big surprise that this out-of-touch and tired lot is doing nothing at all on the cost of living. Thousands of families, of course, will be anxiously tuning in later today in the hopes of some cost-of-living relief, maybe finally being offered up in the budget to help them out, to give them a break.

For those families who are at a breaking point, what’s in the budget isn’t a question that’s about politics or about satisfying curiosity. It’s about whether they can afford to keep their kids in the activities they love or to pay their mortgage. It’s about whether they’re going to be able to pay their rent, their groceries, or their power bill. For so many Saskatchewan families, this isn’t an academic exercise or a cute political debate. It’s real life. It’s real hardship. And it’s survival for some, Mr. Speaker.

That government could have chosen to give families a break at the pump, cutting the 15‑cents-a-litre gas and diesel tax, as both our neighbours to the west and the east have done. Or they could have rolled back some of the additions in hikes to the PST they’ve imposed that are now taking more than $1,500 more from a family in our province each and every year.

But the Sask Party are choosing not to lift a finger to cut some costs when it comes to cost of living. That’s how out of touch they are with the realities facing families today. They actually think everything is fine, or they couldn’t care less. And that tells you everything you need to know about this Sask Party government and everything you need to know about this budget today — the fact that there’s nothing in this budget to make life more affordable.

Under this government we have the highest mortgage arrears in Canada, the highest levels of child poverty. Food bank usage is through the roof. People are walking straight past the meat counter because they can’t afford it. And so many are breaking the bank just to fill the tank.

Mr. Speaker, it’s time for change.

The same can be said about health care. This budget is even more proof of a 17‑year-old government that’s out of touch and failing to deliver. This province used to be a nation leader when it comes to health care. But under the Sask Party, our health care system has redlined. So many of these late-coming announcements we hear for . . . in the budget today, well these are things we fought for, that we’ve advocated for — occupational therapy training seats in Saskatchewan, expanding care for breast cancer.

But no amount of election-year words will paper over this government’s failed record on health care. Under this Premier, our hospitals and ERs [emergency room] aren’t working when we need them to. Emergency rooms are on life support and leaving those seeking emergency care to wait hours upon hours for that care. And that’s after many have waited hours for an ambulance, or had no ambulance respond at all in many parts of rural Saskatchewan, because of capacity and failures of this government. The people working, doing this most important work, are burnt-out, ignored, and disrespected without the resources they need.

[15:00]

The longest hip- and knee-replacement surgery wait-list in Canada, with thousands languishing for years as they wait with unbearable pain. There were 2,234 registered nurses in 2028 when this Premier took office. Now there are 1,760. That’s the largest dip in the nursing workforce out of every province, at a negative 21 per cent. Two hundred thousand people do not have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. And 45 per cent of the medical specialists we train here in Saskatchewan are packing up and leaving when they’re done their programs.

Laboratories, surgical theatres, emergency rooms, and other services at 53 different hospitals and health centres throughout Saskatchewan suffering through closures or on bypass because of this government. Rural ER after rural ER with its doors closed and on bypass, turning away patients, often with just a notice in the window. Women in desperate need of mammograms are being sent to Calgary to a Sask Party donor’s clinic that’s costing 10 times more money.

Our health care needs to be fixed. There’s one thing that makes all the difference and doesn’t cost a dime — respect, listening, working as a partner. This tired and out-of-touch government has broken our health care system, and despite this, still expects all of us to trust them to fix it.

You know, the same is true in education. This government has cut per-student funding for the better part of a decade. We used to be number one in Canada; now we’re number eight, number eight. And get this. The number of classroom teachers in this province has only increased by one since 2017 while student enrolment has increased by 15,000 — 15,000 more students and one new teacher.

No amount of election-year rhetoric will change the fact that our dedicated, talented teachers and education workers have been and are being demeaned and disrespected by this Sask Party government instead of respected and supported; that students are being shortchanged on the education they deserve because of years of damaging cuts and underfunding that have left classrooms at a breaking point and students without the supports they need and deserve.

It doesn’t cost much to listen and work as a partner. It doesn’t cost much to bargain in good faith. In fact we’d be saving big on those demeaning billboards. There’s a reason why thousands of hard-working teachers were in front of this building today. They remember a 2016 election-year budget like this one that was heavy on promises. A commitment was made to fund education and then only to break their word and cut classrooms by $57 million, all while attacking the local autonomy of school boards. Promises made, promises broken — that’s their record, Mr. Speaker.

Teachers don’t want to be in front of the legislature. They want to be in their classrooms doing what they do best and with the resources and support that students need and deserve. Our kids, they just want to be back to learning. And they want all the other amazing extracurricular opportunities that teachers voluntarily deliver with such dedication and pride, Mr. Speaker. They could teach these members opposite a thing or two about service, Mr. Speaker.

With respect to Hoopla, with respect to Hoopla, they just want to play ball and they deserve a government that will play ball too. You know, Mr. Speaker, if this government put in half the heart and hustle as those kids and coaches and teams, a fair deal would have been found a long time ago. Education is a foundation. It’s about allowing every last young person to live up to their full potential. Without that, this province we all love cannot live up to its.

This budget fails to support and strengthen our hard-working labour force in health care and education and so much more. It fails to even feign interest in undoing the damage they’ve caused to the most vulnerable in this province. Through careless choices, their lives are put at risk and into an even more precarious state in putting more pressure on the most costly services, from ERs and hospitals to our justice system.

Their record is the highest deaths due to overdose. Their record is neglected and broken mental health and addictions services, the highest domestic violence rates in Canada, child hunger and poverty, a shortened life expectancy. These are not the things we should be leading the nation in.

Speaking of the things we should be leading the nation in, this budget certainly fails to undo economic stagnation brought on by this tired and out-of-touch government, a government that has the worst economic record in Canada under this Premier, the worst record on jobs, and the second-worst on GDP and investment. Straight from StatsCan, it’s their record.

Not a surprise after the choices they’ve made, like the gut punch to growth that this government delivered just a few years back, sticking the PST on construction labour, driving away jobs, families, investment, and opportunity. Of course that was part of the biggest tax hike imposed in Saskatchewan’s history, when they stuck the PST, well on pretty much everything from children’s clothes, restaurant meals, insurance, and so much more, leaving Saskatchewan people, families, local businesses, and our economy to pay the price for this government’s years of scandal, mismanagement, waste.

I know a lot of businesses and working families would have loved to turn a page and to get this province moving. But unfortunately this budget predicts that this government’s economic record will keep spinning our tires. GDP in their budget is expected to grow 1 per cent, pretty much flatlines from there, Mr. Speaker. Unemployment rates forecast to grow. And it’s been rural Saskatchewan that’s been hit the hardest with a loss of 40,000 jobs under that Premier’s short tenure.

You know, there’s no solid plan to build, diversify, and strengthen our economy. No plan to secure investment and jobs that people and families can count on that will pay the bills. No plan to bolster our economy. This Premier’s poor economic record and its impact on local businesses is laid plain in the corporate tax revenues which have nosedived this year — $2.1 billion last year to $1.2 billion this year, almost a 50 per cent reduction.

And there’s no plan to step up and make connectivity happen across Saskatchewan, high-quality broadband and mobile, Mr. Speaker, which is wrong. Because in 2024, internet and cellular connectivity isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. This government has slow-walked connectivity and rejected repeated calls to forgo hundreds of millions of dividends from SaskTel that instead should have been used to leverage and invest and to connect Saskatchewan — rural Saskatchewan towns, villages, First Nations, Métis communities, farms, and northern Saskatchewan. This is not only about safety and quality of life. It represents enormous economic opportunities for those regions.

Considering our resources, work ethic, big ideas, Saskatchewan is too great a province to be last or second last in the nation on these economic fronts. This can be Saskatchewan’s century. What we need is a government that knows how to step up, knows how to listen and partner, and knows when to get out of the way.

From a fiscal perspective, this budget continues to pile on the costs because of this government’s record of financial gross mismanagement. This Premier has doubled the debt during his short tenure, and the worst part is he has very little results to show for it. It’s been a story of tax and squander by this government. A short-sighted approach that costs us more.

Software contracts, projects like AIMS [administrative information management system] that have ballooned over a couple hundred million dollars and don’t even work. Sending women from Saskatchewan to a Sask Party donor in Calgary for mammograms that cost 10 times more. Inflated prices at a hotel owned by an MLA while thousands of social housing units are sitting empty and vacant. A health care system held together by double-pay travel nurses that can pack up and leave at any time, costing us now $100 million and counting.

You know, the marshals service, a new, redundant provincial police administration instead of investments in front-line policing and the RCMP that represent much better value for our money and would also allow us to address the root causes. You know, in fact with this budget now they’ve spent $14 million on the redundant marshals and haven’t put a single pair of boots on the ground.

A Saskatchewan revenue agency that will increase administration costs for taxpayers and compliance costs for businesses. The inflated costs of building public assets through P3 [public-private partnership] agreements with companies and workers outside of Saskatchewan. Gross mismanagement like we’ve seen in the bypass and the GTH [Global Transportation Hub] projects that are baked into the budget and costing us more year after year. The list goes on and on.

It’s decisions like these that turned last year’s billion-dollar surplus, just claimed on budget day, into a $450 million deficit. A budgetary miss of $1.5 billion from a premier that’s only balanced one of his last six budgets despite his claims to do otherwise on budget days.

It’s decisions like these and the mismanagement, scandal, and waste that pile up year after year on the record levels of debt while Saskatchewan people are stuck with the costs. This government’s budget takes our public debt to a record level: $35 billion, adding $3 billion this year alone.

All that comes at a cost. In fact in this year’s budget alone, it shows that the cost of servicing that debt, paying for that debt, has jumped $100 million this fiscal year to over $900 million. So much of that debt is the result of this government’s awful fiscal choices in record and represents hundreds of millions of dollars not able to be deployed to priorities like cost of living, fixing health care, investing in education, or actually reducing debt.

The people of our province deserve so much better, and the people of this province will soon have a choice on that front. This team, this leader will continue to listen and fight for the issues keeping Saskatchewan people up at night, and to work tirelessly towards the opportunity deserved by all in every part of this province — rural and urban, north and south.

[15:15]

As our leader has said before in this House, we’re stronger together. Saskatchewan’s brightest days are ahead of us, and we’re ready to deliver on the promise and potential of this beautiful province, promise and potential as big as our skies, as vast as our prairie landscapes, as rich and bountiful as our lakes, rivers, lands, and forest. Promise and potential though that will only be reached by leaning on, trusting, and working with the incredible people of this province to deliver that bright future for all, and that better tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll have more to say on the budget tomorrow. With that I will adjourn debate.

The Speaker: — The member for Regina Rosemont has moved adjournment of debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Motion for Resumption of Budget Debate

Hon. Mr. J. Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move:

That debate on the motion “That the Assembly approves in general the budgetary policy of the government” be resumed on Thursday, March 21st, 2024.

The Speaker: — It has been moved by the Government House Leader:

That debate on the motion “That the Assembly approves in general the budgetary policy of the government” be resumed on Thursday, March 21st, 2024.

Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Mr. J. Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that this House do now adjourn.

The Speaker: — Before I place the question on adjournment, I want to first of all say thank you to all our guests who have joined us today and for your co-operation observing the rules of the Assembly.

And now I would like to extend an invitation to our guests to join the members for tea in the Legislative Library to your right as you leave the Assembly and in room 218 to the left.

At this time I will place the question. The Government House Leader has moved that this House do now adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried. This House is now adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:18.]

Published under the authority of the Hon. Randy Weekes, Speaker

Disclaimer: The electronic versions of the Legislative Assembly's documents are provided for information purposes only. The content of the documents is identical to the printed record; only the presentation differs unless otherwise noted. The printed versions are the official record for legal purposes.