'Things I never expected to see': Sask. budget a fascinating one for political science prof.

Wednesday’s provincial budget was a fascinating one that included announcements University of Regina political science professor Jim Farney said he never expected to see in an election year.

Wednesday’s provincial budget was a fascinating one that included announcements University of Regina political science professor Jim Farney said he never expected to see in an election year.

“The Sask. Party choosing a deficit, they’ve always tried to end on a balance, this year it’s small but they are deficit spending,” Farney said.

The province announced a projected $273 million deficit, but also promoted record spending and funding increases nearly across the board including for the ministries of education and health.

Farney said he was also intrigued by all the messaging that advertised the record spending.

“In all the messaging [it said], ‘we’re very proud’ of kind of the significant spending increases that the budget introduced.”

Farney said whether the funding increases were enough or not could turn into one of the main debates at the Legislature this spring between the Sask. Party and opposition NDP.

With 2024 being an election year in Saskatchewan Farney was asked why it seemed there was no vote grabbing headlines, he said modern elections have changed from 20 years ago.