Goudy, George react to provincial budget

“I think it’s very important for Saskatchewan people that we have fiscal responsibility, and having a balanced budget this year, I think, was very important to all of us,” said Goudy.

Goudy was pleased to see the revenue-sharing formula unchanged, with communities receiving three-quarters of one per cent of the PST revenue from two years ago.

Expanding the number of seats for nurse practitioners was also welcomed by Goudy. The provincial budget supported 60 new training seats this year. Goudy also supported the budget putting more money into policing for both the Saskatchewan Marshals and the RCMP.

He was also encouraged to see the province put more money into improving Grade 3 reading rates.

“If you get to the place where you can read by Grade 3, then you’re able to read to learn in the future,” explained Goudy.

He commended Premier Scott Moe and others in their effort to go to the United States and strengthen relationships while working through the ongoing tariff issues.

Overall, Goudy called the document a “steady budget” that was focused on balance in an uncertain future.

MELFORT MAYOR GLENN GEORGE

The mayor of Melfort is largely pleased with the provincial budget.

Glenn George told northeastNOW he is pleased to see the revenue sharing formula remain the same.

“That’s very sustainable, and we know what we’re going to get,” George said.

Having predictable, sustainable revenue sharing funding from the province is important, according to George.

Under the revenue sharing formula, Melfort will receive just shy of $1.49 million in 2025, compared to just under $1.4 million in 2024. Humboldt will get over $1.5 million, compared to a shade under $1.42 million. Nipawin will receive nearly $1.35 million after getting $1.266 million in 2024. The Town of Tisdale will see revenue sharing climb from $821,686 to $875,170.

The province also announced they will fund 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) officers to target “nuisance properties”. George liked that idea, stating that Melfort and other communities benefit from having policing target drug operations.

George also applauded the municipal bylaw court, something that they, Nipawin, Tisdale, and other communities like Kindersley have lobbied for in the past. He said it’s difficult for Melfort and other centres to collect payment on parking tickets.

The province also announced their $777 million highway budget, and George hoped that would mean the Highway 6 corridor from the StoneGate development to the intersection of Highways 3, 6, and 41 is paved soon through the Urban Highway Connector Program.

The mayor also liked to hear about the 10 in-province physician training seats, saying that it’s important to have doctors raised and trained in Saskatchewan stay in Saskatchewan, especially in rural areas like Melfort.

Meanwhile, the City of Humboldt will receive a portion of the $250 million transferred to municipalities to be used for water system upgrades. The province has also earmarked $1 million for the Carlton Trail College Trades Building Expansion in Humboldt. Kidney health enhancements were announced for several communities, including Tisdale. Greenwater Lake Provincial Park is among the lakes to receive funding for improvements and upgrades.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Goudy, George react to provincial budget

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