Minister of Finance of SaskatchewanDonna Harpauermade a financial report on Thursday in Saskatoon at the end of the fiscal year 2021-22, 1.47 billion. Showed a dollar deficit.
This represents a $ 1.14 billion improvement over the expected deficit. The fiscal year is from April to March.
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"Saskatchewan's finances were strengthened from 2021 to 2010," Harpauer said. I told the group.
She said the main reason for the improvement was a significant increase in profits.
Higher prices for potash and oil increased incomes from non-renewable resources and increased personal, corporate and sales tax revenues above the government budget.
Total revenue of $ 18.14 billion increased by $ 3.66 billion from the forecast included in the 2021-22 budget.
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However, the government said widespread drought had a significant impact on agricultural costs and the COVID-19 pandemic increased health care costs last year as well.
Harpauer added that the state's public debt on March 31, 2022 was about $ 592 million less than expected in the budget.
"() The government needed to cut back on borrowing to strengthen its finances. The improved fiscal year in Saskatchewan and its strong financial plans put the state on track," Harpouer said. Said.
"Saskatchewan is a country in 2022 economic growth, according to private sector forecasts based on continued soaring commodity prices, increased private sector investment, and the return of agriculture to a more normal year. Ready to be one of the leaders of. "
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Meanwhile, the official opposition Says the government needs NDP to provide relief for living expenses to residents who have asked for immediate expansion of resource income.
"Year-end figures show that the government is full of storm resource revenues and has the financial capacity to provide the most needed relief," said financial critic Trent. Wotherspoon said.
"The only question right now is whether they are careful enough to give the people of Saskatchewan a break."
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Also, the government says it should stop local fuel taxes during the summer.
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Many school districts have announced budgets for 2022-23, including parental lunch room fees and staff cuts. Later, the NDP also urges the government to provide the Board with $ 50 million in emergency funding.
But according to Harpauer, those seeking relief will probably wait until autumn.
"We're not going to use anything that isn't guaranteed to be there," she told reporters, and the government added an average of $ 77 per barrel of oil last year.
"You need to average what you get in a year. If you get a 1-2 month bonus, it may not last for the entire 12 months, so up to that bonus level I don't want to spend more. "
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Harpauer said the government will release the budget for the first quarter of August, which would be a "better position" to make a decision.
"I think you can see the decision about what we are trying to do. We are looking at power. Will it be retained for 12 months? I don't know." The complete87-page year-end reportis available on the Government website.
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