The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s board of directors has approved a $5.32-billion operating budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, alongside $580 million in capital investments aimed at strengthening health care across the province.
Board chair Arlene Wiks said the budget reflects the SHA’s ongoing commitment to safe, high-quality and accessible care, while also supporting the health-care workforce.
“The approval of this year’s budget represents a significant investment in the delivery of health services to the people of this province,” Wiks said Thursday in a statement. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all SHA staff and physicians for their dedication.”
SHA CEO Andrew Will said the financial plan is focused on advancing key system priorities including reducing surgical wait times, expanding mental health and addictions services, and improving access to emergency and primary care.
“Our 2025-26 budget underscores this commitment by directing resources to enhance care and advance key priorities,” Will said.
Key budget investments include:
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$30 million to renovate Saskatoon City Hospital and add 109 acute care beds;
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$18.6 million toward mental health and addictions initiatives to expand treatment options;
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$15.1 million to increase surgical volumes and cut wait times;
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$11.6 million to expand primary health care, including the Patient Medical Home model;
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$7.6 million to enhance pediatric services across the province;
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$6.6 million for the expansion of HealthLine 811’s Virtual ER Physician Program;
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$6.6 million to strengthen emergency medical services;
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$5.9 million for health human resources to stabilize staffing in rural and urban areas.
Capital spending will support 15 major infrastructure projects. Among them:
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Ongoing construction of a new Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, expected to be completed by 2028. The facility will feature a heliport, larger ER, expanded operating rooms and a cultural space for First Nations and Métis patients;
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Continued work on Weyburn’s new hospital, which is 75 per cent complete;
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Construction of long-term care homes in Regina, La Ronge, Yorkton, Grenfell, Battleford and Rosthern;
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Ongoing support for Saskatoon’s Urgent Care Centre and planning for future urgent care sites in Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and North Battleford.
The SHA says these investments aim to meet the growing and evolving health care needs of Saskatchewan’s population while improving care delivery in both urban and rural communities.
The full news release is available on the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.