The provincial government released their budget for 2020-2021 this Tuesday and they announced that they don't expect it to return to balance until 2026-27 due to the long-term effects of the pandemic.

Revenues are being forecasted to be up by 6.1 percent from the 2020-21 budget to $14.5 billion, while expenses are up by $17.1 billion, or 6.3 percent.

"I think it's a budget that does protect the province and helps build the province, and it helps in continuing to grow the province," stated Dustin Duncan, MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy. "We knew it was going to be a difficult budget. Obviously, it pushes back our timeline for being able to balance the budget. But we think that the balance will return through growing the economy and not slashing spending or raising taxes for families across the province."

He added that he felt that this is the right budget for the province and he is looking forward with hopeful optimism.

Duncan also said that he was happy to see the continued funding for the Weyburn Hospital project.

"So I think there's about $1.4 million in this year's budget and I think that will carry us through the tendering phase and the RFP phase that's being developed right now by the SHA. I expect that that work will be done early into the new year. So I'm certainly hoping that by the end of this fiscal year we'll be able to tend to the project and perhaps see some construction begin," Duncan added.

The budget prioritizes keeping schools open as the province continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, while also relying on school construction projects to stimulate the economy.

Funding includes $100.9 million to build 16 schools and renovate five existing schools across the province, with another $10 million reserved for relocatable classrooms.

The budget also includes $190 million for education capital but cuts $8 million for capital maintenance on Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools and advanced education.

Duncan expressed that he is excited to see the new Legacy Park Elementary School open up in the fall and shared that they are on time and on budget for that project.

He was also pleased that the Highway 39 passing and twinning project will be underway in the near future as well.

"Our agricultural products are still in great demand across the world and in fact commodities in particular agriculture has really been a stabilizing factor despite the pandemic not only for Saskatchewan's economy but Canada's economy as well. I think it enforces the importance of our resource sector. So I think it continues to show the strength of what Saskatchewan has offered the rest of the world and Canada," expressed Duncan.