Buffalo Narrows. Photo courtesy http://www.newnorthsask.org/

The budget is a positive move in the right direction, according to a group representing northern municipalities.

New North CEO Al Loke said their only concern is that future generations may need to pay the bill, but he says a deficit may have been needed in this economic downturn.

“I am hoping that this will be a good ‘economic stimulus to the province of Saskatchewan and also northern Saskatchewan,” said Loke.

“We are dormant right now in the way of job prospects and with the funds coming to infrastructure and First Nations it could have a huge impact on the employment of Indigenous people as well as locals.”

Going forward, Loke said he will be keeping an eye on how the funding is split up, because there are several variables.

“It all depends on how the province dives the funding up and allocates it to the different regions in the province,” said Loke.