Northern Saskatchewan communities see health and infrastructure commitments from provincial budget

WATCH: Communities and organizations are sharing initial reactions to the provincial budget’s commitments to northern Saskatchewan.

Communities and organizations are sharing initial reactions to the 2025-26 provincial budget’s commitments to northern Saskatchewan.

“We’ve really benefited from provincial investment in our community,” said Prince Albert mayor Bill Powalinsky. “I really see where, with the hospital, that investment will continue through the staffing and supports and resources.”

The Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert is set to receive a $322 million investment for ongoing construction and funding for physician staffing in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“The NICU is very, very important,” said Powalinsky. “We’re a hub city, and as a hub city, we have a lot of people coming in from the north, a lot of people coming in from the region.”

The mayor said he had hoped to see more funding for local police.

“It would have been very, very, invigorating to see if 100 per cent of the positions would be funded. Right now, we’re looking at 80 per cent. And over time, our commitment exceeds 80 per cent.”

The province has also made commitments for transportation infrastructure in the north. The budget contains an investment of $122 million to build, operate and maintain northern highways and airports.

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association president Randy Goulden responded positively to the commitment.

“We’re also pleased to see the increase in funding for our northern roads and airports,” she said. “As we know, that is much needed throughout the province but, very much needed in our northern communities, our northern municipalities.”

The budget also commits to replacing the Highway 2 bridge over the Montreal River near La Ronge as part of an $81 million project to repair or rebuild 18 bridges and more than 100 culverts.

Infrastructure plans include repaving 11 kilometres of Highway 55 east of Meath Park.