“Delivering for you” – that is what the Government of Saskatchewan has chosen to call the 2025-26 Provincial Budget.
Jim Reiter, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, delivered the budget Wednesday afternoon at the Saskatchewan Legislature and says the budget reflects what the sitting government has heard from Saskatchewan residents as to what matters most.
For the government this includes 5 main areas of concern. The province says the 2025-26 Budget will deliver relief from the cost-of-living, improved access to healthcare, additional supports for students and teachers in the classroom, safer communities, and strong financial management with a balanced budget.
The budget will also include nearly $285 million for First Nations and Metis programs and services.
Reiter believes a budget that prioritizes affordability and fiscal responsibility will leave Saskatchewan in a strong position to help weather the impacts of potential tariffs imposed by the United States.
Affordability
- The government says they will help with affordability by providing over $250 million in tax savings this year.
- Education property Tax mill rates are being reduced for all property classes.
- The government will also be increasing or re-introducing several tax credits including the home renovation tax credit.
Health care
- The government says they will invest $8.1 billion to prioritize better health care for Saskatchewan residents.
- The province pledged to reduce surgical wait times by introducing a plan to help providers perform 450,000 procedures over the next 4 years.
- They also say they will invest to accelerate the hiring of health care workers.
Education
- $3.5 billion will be invested in K-12 education.
- The government will also provide $130 million to fund the new teacher bargaining agreement while also addressing classroom complexity.
- $788 million will be provided to post-secondary institutions.
Community Safety
- The province says with last year’s investments there will be $2 billion invested into community safety.
- The government says they will improve community safety with around 100 new municipal police officers and 14 officers dedicated to reducing crime in targeted areas.
- The government also says they will enhance security at the border with the United States with provincial law enforcement officers.
- They also plan to make a more accessible court system for municipal bylaw offences.
First Nations and Metis programs
- The budget will include $284.9 million for First Nations and Metis programs and services, an increase of $29.7 million from last year.
- $23.7 million will be invested for First Nations on-reserve policing
- $5.5 million will be focused on improving education outcomes for Indigenous students.
- $3.8 million for First Nations and Metis community organization delivering inmate re-integration services.
“Much of this investment goes directly to community-based organizations, Indigenous-led community development agencies and grassroots organizations across the province that support First Nations and Métis communities,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said. “Our government will remain committed to First Nations and Métis-led and focused services.”
As for tariffs and trade with the United States, the government has not placed any sort of contingency plan within the budget. The government says with the fluid and constantly changing nature of the U.S. tariff situation it was not possible to build exact impacts of the tariffs into the budget. The government does, however, hope that a strong financial position will mean the province is well-positioned to respond to the impact of any tariffs imposed on Canada and Saskatchewan.
An overview of the 2025-26 provincial budget is available here. 2025-26 Budget
NDP Responds
In response, the NDP opposition party says the budget is not focused on the future.
A statement released by the NDP shortly after the budget was delivered would carry harsh criticism saying the budget isn’t even “based in reality” over the serious challenges facing Saskatchewan residents.
“Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are asleep at the wheel,” said Leader Carla Beck in the statement. “They can’t just close their eyes and hope our problems magically go away.”
The NDP took exception to the decrease in health funding with $8.004 billion down $17 million from the $8.022 billion in last year’s budget.
Beck also raised issue about the government’s decision not to provide a contingency fund over looming tariffs, something that has been included in other provincial budgets across the country.
“This budget has no plan to defend against tariffs or build our economy, and it actually cuts education and healthcare, where we already rank dead last in the country,” said Beck.
“The people of Saskatchewan want a government focused on the future, and this budget does nothing but take us backwards.”
Northern Saskatchewan MLA Leroy Laliberte spoke with MBC Radio News about the provincial budget.
Laliberte says he was disappointed in the budget especially what he felt was a lack of investment in the north.