A Challenging Provincial Budget for the Parks and Recreation Sector

On March 22, 2017, the Government of Saskatchewan issued the 2017-2018 Provincial Budget, “Meeting the Challenge" and the Ministry of Parks Culture and Sport Plan for 2017-18 was released.

The Government has committed to continue investing in the Parks and Recreation sector through the following:

• $5.05 million to maintain and renew infrastructure in our provincial parks (Consistent with their 2016-17 budget)
• $134.2 million in provincial support for municipal infrastructure, which includes $60.8 million for the provincial portion of the New Building Canada Fund.

The Framework for Recreation in Canada continues to be a priority within the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.  Their contributions to quality of life in the province include:

• Supporting community investments through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund and the Community Initiatives Fund.
• Reducing barriers to participation.
• Partnering with our organization to co-host a national gathering on the Framework for Recreation in Canada, in the City of Regina in May of 2018.

However, the Government has reduced or suspended spending in the following areas which are relevant to our sector:

• Suspension of the Community Rink Affordability Grant - $1.7 million
• Reduction of Regional Park funding by 50%
• Decrease in funding to the Meewasin Valley Authority - $409, 000
• Suspension of the Main Street Saskatchewan Program - $550,000.

The Government has also announced that they will be assuming management and operational responsibility for the Wascana Centre Authority in Regina. Read their official press release for more details regarding this change.

As the leader of and voice for the Recreation sector in Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association will continue to inform our members of the impacts that the 2017-2018 Budget could have on our sector as more information becomes available.

For more information:

2017-18: Meeting the Challenge [Media Release]

Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport: Plan for 2017-18