Growing population means record spending in 2024 Sask. budget [Video]

The 2024-25 provincial budget was announced Wednesday, and with it comes a record investment with a focus on education, health care and community.

Overall spending in this year’s budget is up $1.5 billion compared with last year, and with it comes a $273.2-million deficit.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said one of the main reasons for the increase in spending is the growing population.

“We need more classrooms as we have more people that live in our communities,” Moe said Thursday. “We need more health-care facilities, and our communities are also facing the same growth challenges … and the inflationary challenges that are present here.”

More people than ever before are living in Saskatchewan. Current projections from the provincial government estimate the province’s population will reach 1.25 million people this year.

“These are challenges as people move to Saskatchewan and stay in Saskatchewan…. These challenges are new to us,” Moe said, …