Released on March 1, 1999
"A significant portion of the 1998-99 special warrants is beingtargeted to Saskatchewan's share of the two-year national farm aid
package," Finance Minister Eric Cline said today.
"Now that the details of the program have been worked out, we want to
do everything we can to ensure that producers receive the help they
need, Cline said. "Setting aside this money today confirms our
commitment to Saskatchewan farmers. What is needed now is a concerted
action on the part of the federal government to get the money out to
farmers."
As a result of provincial funding for the farm aid package, the year
end surplus will fall to about $8 million, from the previous forecast
of $105.5 million, maintaining government's commitment to a balanced
budget. The remainder of the agriculture funding will come from the
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority reserves.
"Over the past year we have taken aggressive action on a number of
fronts to address issues identified as key priorities by Saskatchewan
people," Cline said. "We enhanced our investments in health, highways
and education to better meet the needs of Saskatchewan people. And,
we developed fire suppression techniques that are among the best and
most cost-effective in the world."
The majority of expenditures which required special warrants were made
public in the Mid-Year Report, released last November.
"The addition of $140 million for agriculture will bolster the rural
economy by helping Saskatchewan farmers deal with the effects of low
prices and international grain subsidy wars."
Total special warrants approved for fiscal 1998/99 are:
$140 million for the farm aid program;
$72.6 million for Environment and Resource Management, primarily
to cover forest fire suppression costs;
$69.4 million for Health to cover 200 additional nursing
positions, increased provision of provincial health services,
such as physician services and the prescription drug plan, and
Saskatchewan's contribution to the new national blood agency and
the compensation package for Hepatitis C sufferers;
$37.4 million to Social Services for young offender and family
support programs;
$15.4 million for Justice to maintain law enforcement services
and proceed with construction of the new court facility in Prince
Albert;
$10.9 million for Highways and Transportation to take advantage
of a good construction year by building and fixing roads;
$7.3 million for Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training to
improve access to education, training and employment programs;
and
$26 million for pressures in eight other departments.
"As a government we continually work to ensure that programs and
services work together to meet the needs of Saskatchewan residents,"
Cline said. "Balanced budgets allow us to do that."
"We are committed to keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes and
debt and enhancing important public services. The 1999-2000 Budget
will continue the principles we have established of responding to
people's needs in these areas, within a sound financial framework.
There are a number of economic challenges on the horizon and careful
management of our finances will allow us to meet those challenges with
confidence this year, next year and into the 21st century."
-30-
For more information, contact:
Sandra Lodoen
Saskatchewan Finance
Regina
Phone: (306)787-6578