There is a 12.1 per cent increase in the 2023-24 Provincial Budget, providing $503 million in support of Saskatchewan’s growing municipalities. This includes a record amount of $297.9 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing (MRS), up 13.4 per cent from last year.
"Our government is providing record investments to municipalities to support Saskatchewan's continued growth. Saskatchewan municipalities are in the best position to know what is important for their communities. Municipal Revenue Sharing provides local leaders the flexibility to use the funds as they see fit to grow and build strong communities that work for everyone," Government Relations Minister Don McMorris said.
Overall funding under the MRS Program for 2023-24 is 134 per cent more than the 2007-08 fiscal year. MRS provides predictable, no-strings-attached funding based on three-quarters of one point of Provincial Sales Tax revenue from two years prior.
Nearly $4.0 billion in provincial funding has been allocated to support municipalities through this program since 2007-08.
$152.7 million is being invested in municipal infrastructure. This includes $119.1 million for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan and $8.5 million for the New Building Canada Fund.
Additional municipal investments include:
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$22.4 million in policing grants;
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$11.6 million to provincial libraries;
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$3.8 million for the Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities Program;
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$1.6 million for the Community Rink Affordability Grant; and
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$1.4 million funding for Urban Parks.
There will be no change to the provincially set portion of property taxes as education property tax mill rates will stay the same in 2023.