On Monday, Saskatchewan politicians will pick up where they left off nearly three months ago, heading back into the legislative chambers to debate a budget and finish the spring sitting.
The sitting was suspended in March and the budget postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the day the budget was supposed to be delivered, the province only presented its expenses for the year, making sure money could still go out to the door during the pandemic.
In April, the NDP started pushing the government to get back to the business of lawmaking and the two house leaders managed to find a deal. They will sit five days a week from June 15 to July 3 (not including Canada day).
Most of what happens during the sitting will be debate on the new, updated budget to be presented on the first day, but other issues could be brought up as well if there’s time.
The base of the budget is expected to be very similar to what was presented in March, so the big question is how big of a dent the pandemic has left in the province’s wallet.
The premier has already admitted there will be a deficit resulting from the spending increases on pandemic relief and stimulus offered and from the hit the province’s revenues have taken.
They may be running the province, but the politicians will have to abide by public health guidelines as well. Only 10 members of the government and five of the opposition will be allowed in the chambers at any one time.