Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that residents 18 and older will receive a $500 “affordability check” this fall.
In a video posted to social media on Monday, Moe said the province’s 2022-23 first quarter financial update, which will be released Tuesday morning, “will show that Saskatchewan’s economy is strong.”
“More people are working, exports are up and the province’s finances are improving much faster than expected.
He says this is largely due to the resource sector, with high resource prices driving the economy. He said Saskatchewan residents stand to benefit from high resource prices to help with the high cost of living.
This fall, our government will send a $500 affordability check to all Saskatchewan residents age 18 and older.
Here’s why… pic.twitter.com/kT01wdfigQ
Government spokesman Matthew Glover said only adults who have filed a Saskatchewan tax return will be eligible for the $500.
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer will release the first quarter fiscal update at 10 a.m. CST on Tuesday. The Prime Minister said more details on the affordability checks will also be shared tomorrow.
When the budget was tabled in March, the deficit was $463 million.
The report will also examine the evolution of planned expenditures over the past few months.
Government should have offered relief ‘months ago’: Opposition
The opposition Saskatchewan NDP says the government should have offered relief to people “months ago”.
In a statement Monday afternoon, finance critic Trent Wotherspoon accused the government of sitting on windfall revenue until just before the next Saskatoon Meewasin by-election. Four parties have already nominated candidates for the by-election, although the date of the vote has not yet been set.
“The Saskatchewan Party will consistently put its political interests above the well-being of the people of Saskatchewan – just as it did with these ‘bought’ election dollars,” the Wotherspoon statement said.