Vol. 104 No. 13
Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-948-3344
24 pages
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Balanced budget controls spending while meeting the challenges of growth F inance Minister Ken Krawetz tabled a balanced budget, March 20, that controls spending while making key investments aimed at ensuring a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people. “Saskatchewan’s economy is strong and our budget is balanced,” Krawetz said. “This budget also balances continued growth with meeting the challenges of that growth. It balances economic progress with social progress. And it balances the need to control spending with the need to make important investments in key areas.” Revenue is projected at $11.61 billion while expense is estimated to be $11.54 billion. The General Revenue Fund is projected to post a $64.8 million pre-transfer surplus and a surplus of $149.8 million is forecast in the Summary Financial Statements, taking into account all government operations including the Crown Corporations. “One of the biggest challenges of growth is making sure we have the
infrastructure we need for a growing economy,” Krawetz said. “Today’s budget meets that challenge.” Overall, the government will invest $847.5 million in infrastructure projects this year, an increase of $59.8 million or 7.6 per cent increase from the previous year, and the highest amount budgeted for capital since 200910. The capital budget includes key investments in schools, health care facilities including hospitals and long term c a r e f a c i l i t i e s, p o s t secondary institutions, r o a d s, h i g h wa y s a n d municipal infrastructure. Since 2008, nearly $5.8 billion has been invested in Saskatchewan’s infrastructure. Krawetz said another challenge identified in the government’s Growth Plan is labour force development – ensuring Saskatchewan has a highly-skilled, welltrained workforce to meet the needs of a growing economy. “We know affordability of post-secondary education is an issue for students,” Krawetz said. “That’s why this budget increases direct student support
funding by nearly $20 million or 20 per cent, to $117.4 million.” In order to offset an average 67 per cent increase in property values over the past four years, the government is lowering education property tax rates on all classes of property to keep the impact of reassessment revenue neutral overall. The new education mill rates will be 2.67 mills for agricultural land (reduced from 3.91 mills), 5.03 mills for residential property (down from 9.51 mills), 8.28 mills for commercial property (there were previously three higher rates), and 11.04 mills for the new resource property category. “This budget not only balances the books, it balances the priorities of Saskatchewan people,” Krawetz said. “It controls spending while making key investments. It promotes opportunity while ensuring we protect those in our province who need help. It ensures Saskatchewan will continue to grow while meeting the challenges of that growth. And it keeps Saskatchewan moving forward.”
Biggar robbery suspect nabbed in PA drug bust O
n March 20, members of Prince Albert Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) along with members of the Prince
Albert Police Service executed a search warrant at a Prince Albert residence which resulted in the seizure of a variety
Some ‘Good’minton advice . . . Biggar Central School Junior coach, Terry Epp lends some advice to Blazer badminton athletes Tyrelle Hooper, left, and Teagon Polsfut, while Rosetown rivals go through the same last minute details, Saturday. BCS hosted their junior badminton tournament, putting in some solid efforts. See Page 23 for more. of prescription pills and a quantity of cash. The follow up investigation has resulted in the following charges.
(Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Benjamin Kedoin (31 years old) of Prince Albert appeared in Prince Albert Provincial Court, March 22, charged with Break, enter and theft under $5,000 in relation to an incident in Biggar, March 9, Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. Sharon Starblanket (41 years old), also from Prince
Albert, will appear in court April 11, charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. CFSEU is funded by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Ministry of Justice, Corrections and Policing. CFSEU is an investigative body comprised of personnel from partner police agencies from P r i n c e A l b e r t Po l i c e
Service, Saskatoon Police Service, Regina Police Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The mandate of CFSEU is to expose, investigate, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute organized crime enterprises. K e d o i n wa s h e l d i n custody and his next court appearance in Monday, March 25 in Provincial Court in Prince Albert.
Snow, snow, and more snow . . . The trails around Argo Bush are seeing an abundance of snow fall, and last Sunday the going was a wee bit tough. The snow just doesn’t want to go away, and for skiers - not such a bad thing! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)