Oil price slump to push Saskatchewan to $600M deficit
by The Canadian Press
Deficit means spending cuts are likely, because the provincial government wants to keep taxes low and not run a deficit
SASKATOON—Premier Brad Wall is warning the oil price slump means the Saskatchewan government will face a budget shortfall of between $600 to $800 million this year.
Wall on February 2 told the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association that the shortfall amounts to about seven per cent of the province’s revenue.
He says that means spending cuts are likely, because he his government wants to keep taxes low and not run a deficit.
In its last budget update in November the province was projecting a $70.9 million surplus for 2014-15.
Wall stressed that the bloodbath in the oil markets hasn’t hurt Saskatchewan’s economy nearly as much as neighbouring Alberta.
He noted that Saskatchewan is benefiting from a strengthening potash market, good performance from the agriculture sector and increased exports because of the lower value of the Canadian dollar.
Wall says cutting revenue sharing to municipalities is possible.
Every year municipalities receive a 20 per cent share of the provincial sales tax.
This year that would work out to around $256 million.
Story filed to The Canadian Press by Saskatoon radio stations CKOM and CJWW.
