Moe outlines federal budget wish list

Premier Scott Moe has a wish list containing what he would like to see in the federal budget.

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is to unveil the budget Monday afternoon in Ottawa.

Moe told reporters Friday that there are multiple spending initiatives he thinks could benefit Saskatchewan if included.

First and foremost, he wants to see more health spending transfers to the provinces. He also thinks funding for Saskatoon’s VIDO-InterVac organization is critical in continuing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This ultimately would provide us with security as Canadians, not just in Saskatchewan, that if we are at some point in time going to encounter a variant of COVID that the current vaccines do not address, we’d be able to adapt to addressing that issue very quickly with the research capability, the development capability and ultimately the production capability that VIDO-InterVac is working towards,” he said.

He noted those are the two most important asks for Saskatchewan. Moe also wants more money for infrastructure.

“Not just announcing infrastructure, but actually delivering the funds so we can continue to build our communities across this province,” he continued.

The premier has one more major spending hope.

“Obviously, (we’re) looking for the $126 million that the federal government owes the province of Saskatchewan with respect to the Low Carbon Economy Fund,” Moe said. “I think we’re going to have to send them an invoice.”

While there is much Moe would like the federal government to spend, he’s also hoping that a return to a balanced budget is planned for at some point in the future.

“Yes, we understand there (are) supports that needed to be provided to Canadians in this particular year, the largest economic event that we have managed through since likely World War II. We understand that,” he said.

“But what is your path to right the ship and to ensure that we are getting back to balance as Canadians? So we will be looking for the indications that this federal government is actually working towards and has a plan to structurally get the Canadian fiscal house in order like we are here in Saskatchewan.”

The deficit for the fiscal year is set to ring in at about $400 billion.

In its recent budget, Moe’s government announced a forecast deficit of $2.6 billion for the 2021-22 fiscal year. That’s to be followed by deficits of $1.7 billion in 2022-23, $1.2 billion in 2023-24 and $770 million in 2024-25. The government expects to return to balance in 2026-27.

During the fall election campaign, the Sask. Party committed to balancing the budget by 2024-25.
— With files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick