SASKATOON, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing the Saskatchewan government for failing to keep spending under control after spending almost a billion dollars over budget in 2024-25.

“Taxpayers can’t afford a government that keeps breaking its spending promises,” Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director, said. “The government needs to keep spending in check and use any extra cash to pay down Saskatchewan’s mountain of debt.”

Budget 2024 originally projected the government would spend $20.1 billion last year. The newly released public accounts show the government spent $21.1 billion. That’s about $970 million more than budget projections.

The government spent more than it budgeted in nine out of eleven departments. That includes spending about $8.5 million over budget in “general government.”

Government revenues also increased by about $994 million compared to the budget.

Government debt increased to $21.7 billion at the end of 2024-25. That’s about a $648 million increase compared to budget projections.

Interest charges on the debt cost taxpayers about $699 million last year.

“The government is already wasting hundreds of millions of dollars per year on debt interest payments because it’s repeatedly failed to control spending and keeps borrowing more money,” Haubrich said. “Finance Minister Jim Reiter needs to stop spending money as fast as it comes in and work to reduce the cost of government for taxpayers.”