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Saskatchewan Budget

On Track Provincial Budget 2018-19

Saskatchewan is on track. Faced with challenging years marked by significant resource revenue decline, a plan to restore balance was initiated last year. Budget 2018-19 follows that plan with major investments in health care, education, social services and infrastructure, and a steadily improving outlook over the next four years.

This year’s budget is keeping Saskatchewan On Track by:
  1. Controlling Government Spending
  2. Delivering High Quality Services
  3. No Increases to Tax Rates
  4. Keeping Our Economy Strong
  5. Returning to Balance
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1. Controlling Government Spending

Government continues to control and carefully manage spending in the 2018-19 Budget. Many ministries are forecasting lower spending than in the previous fiscal year, while continuing to provide valued core services that are sustainable into the future. 

Examples of controlled spending
  • In this budget expense is forecast to be down 1.4 per cent from last year’s budget
  • $5 million savings by reducing the number of government-owned vehicles
  • $19 million savings from amalgamation into one health region, while improving front-line care

Budget savings through lower government vehicle costs

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2. Delivering High Quality Services

Government is continuing to invest in the priorities of Saskatchewan people – in particular, in health care, education and social services.  Investment in these three areas is $10.4 billion in this budget. That’s an increase of $4 billion, or more than 64 per cent, since 2007-08.  Funding is at record levels in 2018-19 for health care and social services and assistance. 
  • $700,000 for universal 100 per cent coverage for HIV drugs and other supports
  • More than $520,000 for a new program to screen babies born in Saskatchewan hospitals for hearing loss
  • $2.8 million to provide individualized funding for children under six with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • $30 million increase in operating funding for the 2018-19 school year
  • Nearly $77 million in child care funding
  • More than $10 million for those who provide direct daily care to adults with intellectual disabilities, children in need of protection, plus supports for families. This includes foster families and CBOs that deliver day programs and residential services to people with intellectual disabilities and provide family-focused services. 

Two new major hospitals opening by the end of next year

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3. No Increases to Tax Rates

  • Low personal and corporate income tax rates remain the same
  • No increases to Education Property Tax (EPT) or Provincial Sales Tax (PST) rates
  • Competitive taxes help to attract people, businesses and investment to Saskatchewan

Population Growth by Province
(January 2018 over January 2008)


Population Growth Chart
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4. Keeping Our Economy Strong

Saskatchewan is projected to have the fourth highest growth in the country in 2018 and third highest in 2019, according to private sector forecasts. Competitive taxes and targeted incentives support continued diversification and growth in Saskatchewan’s economy.
  • $413 million of direct support to municipalities and $123 million for municipal infrastructure
  • Increased funding to STEP – the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Program to expand the province’s export markets
  • $2.7 million investment in infrastructure, including Crown corporations, to support the growing province
  • Growth tax incentives to encourage investment, diversify the economy and create jobs
Growth Incentives
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5. Returning to Balance

Non-renewable resource revenue now accounts for just 10 per cent of the province’s total revenue, down from a high of 32 per cent in 2008-09. One of the main goals of our three-year budget plan was to reduce Saskatchewan’s reliance on resource revenue, and that plan is on track.

A return to balance expected in 2019-20.

  • A deficit of $365 million projected for 2018-19. A return to balance is expected in 2019-20 with a modest project surplus of $6 million. 
  • Balance ensures long-term sustainability and continued investments in infrastructure
  • Improved revenue stability, diversified economy, less dependence on resource revenue
  • Third lowest debt-to-GDP in Canada resulting in strong credit ratings
The plan to keep Saskatchewan On Track

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