SASKATOON, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Saskatchewan government to balance the budget, control spending and cut taxes in the provincial budget on March 22.

“The government has no excuse not to balance the budget this year,” said Gage Haubrich, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “The province can’t keep piling debt onto the backs of taxpayers and future generations.”

In 2009, the provincial debt was $4.15 billion. By the end of this March, it will reach $17.1 billion. 

“Under this government’s watch, the debt has grown by 312 per cent,” said Haubrich. “Now is the time to keep the books balanced and start paying down the province’s massive debt load.”  

The projected debt interest charges for 2022-23 are more than $620 million. That’s enough money to pay for two brand-new children’s hospitals or allow for a one percentage point cut in the PST.

“Saskatchewan needs to get its debt under control, so money isn’t wasted on interest payments,” said Haubrich. “Balancing the budget means more money left over for services and tax cuts.”