First Nations, Métis people and communities are expected to see slight increases in the 2019-20 budget, which was presented today by Finance Minister Donna Harpauer.

Health Care

$300,000 in new funding will help provide 24/7 nursing supports at the La Ronge Detox Centre. The government says the funding will improve the Detox Centre in providing treatment to those detoxing from opioids, crystal meth or other substances.

$250,000 will help expand the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Roots of Hope Suicide Prevention Initiative in Buffalo Narrows.

For mental health, an increase of $30 million this year, which Health Minister Jim Reiter says will include funding for more than 140 new beds. $8.39 million will be allocated for approximately 75 new residential support beds for those with intense mental health needs who are transitioning back into the community. The money will also be used for 50 new pre-and post-addiction treatment for people transitioning between detox and in-patient treatment back to the community.

$1,000,000 is being invested to provide the Alzheimer Society to expand their First Link Services to northern Saskatchewan.

Northerners petitioning the government for a satellite dialysis center will have to wait until at least next year, as Meadow Lake will be getting $700,000 for this service.

Education

$1.6 million for continued support of the Following Their Voices (First Nations and Métis Student Achievement Initiative)

$989,000 in resource sharing grants for Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System

Highways and Infrastructure

$57.3 million to build, operate and maintain highways and airports in Northern Saskatchewan.

Remaining funding for First Nations and Métis in most categories will remain the same. On reserve police will increase $400,000, gaming revenue transfers are down $1.6 million.

First Nations or Métis Residential Services and Preventative Supports programs will see a $9.2 million increase.

Northern Revenue Sharing will be up this year by $555,000 to approximately $18.6 million.

The Finance Ministry says the indefinite suspension of the McArthur River uranium operation continues to affect the economic outlook as the GDP growth this year is forecasted at 1.2 percent.

Harpauer is estimating a small $34 million surplus, yet all government debt is expected to climb $1.8 billion by March 2020 to total $21.7 billion.

Opposition reaction was quick as NDP northern MLA’s say the budget leaves the north out when at a time investment is really needed.

Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger says the provincial budget hurts northerners as they are paying more for food, electricity and children’s clothes.

He says it lacks strategic investment into highway improvements as the Wollaston Lake and Far North roads are not included.

“At a time when the north is hurting we see this government once again trying to kick them down,” Belanger said. “No investment into highways, no investment into housing and very little into mental health. The question I have is how much of that will actually go to the north?”

Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette says the budget fails on long term care, as some constituents are waiting almost six months for a bed. He says residents are frustrated with this, hoping that this budget would have addressed that issue.

(Photo: Finance Minister Donna Harpauer. Credit Dan Jones.)