saskatchewan economy
The province's massive budget deficit continues a trend that started well before the pandemic.
When Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa announced a budget update and a revised, lower forecast for provincial economic growth, it was yet another piece of evidence that Ontario’s economy is sluggish. But Ontario’s problems run deeper than just one fiscal update from one finance minister.
Question: If you’re young, or have very little education, where’s the best place in the country to find a job, make a decent income and prosper? Answer: Alberta, followed by Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
There has been much handwringing over the claimed disappearance of the middle class. From a bestselling international tome to domestic tax-and-spend types who think higher taxes will create more middle-income earners, there is no shortage of those who over-focus on redistribution and underestimate the benefits of opportunity.
Economic prosperity is clearly not a priority. That was the central message from Wednesdays provincial budget and precisely the reason young, educated, and skilled, Saskatchewanians continue to leave the province. Instead of focusing on economic growth with rising incomes, employment growth, and increased investment, the government chose to make Saskatchewan even more uncompetitive by raising taxes.


