Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer presents the Saskatchewan Party government's 2022-23 budget.Saskatchewan's Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says the province is "back on track," forecasting a $463 million deficit for 2022-23.
"It's too soon to tell if oil prices will remain high for an extended period and what impact that could have on revenues." "There is no doubt that the political climate due to what's happening in Ukraine is a risk. Disruptions in the supply chain, which were already there are being even more accelerated due to the war."
Harpauer said the government is spending to cut down its surgical wait-list, and hire and retain physicians, nurses and paramedics. It is also spending $95 million to "sustain the ongoing pandemic response and continue protecting Saskatchewan people in the transition to living with COVID-19." This money will go toward personal protective equipment, support for 58 acute care beds in Regina and Saskatoon, and operating costs.The government is also creating a new independent agency that will work to recruit and retain health care workers.
The government is looking to recruit and retain physicians, specifically in rural Saskatchewan, and will spend $3.5 million to do so.
Will the health care improvements be science based or in tune with Saskatchewan Conservative logic?