Sask. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer shows off a copy of the budget on Monday, ahead of its reading later in the week. Mar. 18, 2019. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Balanced Sask. budget expected to be revealed

By Lisa Schick Mar 20, 2019 | 6:03 AM

The details of Saskatchewan’s 2019-20 provincial budget are a closely guarded secret until the Finance Minister stands in the Chamber on Wednesday, but a few hints have been dropped here and there.

On Monday, as she revealed her new shoes – a tradition ahead of budget. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said it will be a balanced budget with a modest surplus by next spring.

She also said this budget won’t be like the budget in 2017-18, which is when the Provincial Sales Tax was hiked and the Saskatchewan Transportation Company was shut down.

Harpauer did say there are some items in the budget that people will be pleased to see.

Some of those items could be under the health portfolio. In the Legislature over the past couple of weeks, Health Minister Jim Reiter responded to a couple of questions from the NDP by telling them to just wait until the budget, possibly hinting there could be some changes.

The Finance Minister is expected to rise in the Chamber around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

Join hosts John Gormley, Murray Wood and Sarah Mills as they break down budget day in Saskatchewan.

980 CJME and 650 CKOM will broadcast from the rotunda starting at 2:15 p.m.