BUDGET 2021: Building, Growing and Protecting a Strong Saskatchewan Through Infrastructure, Procurement, IT Security and Air Ambulance

Released on April 6, 2021

The 2021-22 Budget is providing key investments through the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement (SBP) to support Saskatchewan's security and growth as we respond to and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Budget 2021-22 marks the second year of our government's record two-year capital plan to build a strong Saskatchewan, including $2.0 billion in stimulus funding that has been allocated for hospitals, schools, highways and other important projects that will support our province's economic recovery," SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Jim Reiter said.

Building a Strong Province Positioned for Growth

SBP is coordinating the rollout of the Government of Saskatchewan's $2.0 billion infrastructure stimulus funding. Delivery of this funding is well underway in partnership with other ministries.  Procurements completed on stimulus projects are demonstrating success in stimulating recovery in local sectors.

Several major projects have marked key milestones, including the selection of the lead engineering team for the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion project and the design team for the Saskatoon Remand Centre project.  SBP is continuing to engage with industry and stakeholders on the delivery of stimulus and major capital funding and projects.

A large number of small-scale stimulus projects and highways projects are in construction.  Many stimulus projects were part of the Ministry of Highway's record $437.4 million fall tender, the largest in Saskatchewan history.  Nearly all funding under the Ministry of Government Relations' Municipal Economic Enhancement Program has been advanced to municipalities to support the delivery of their priority infrastructure projects.

Meeting the Challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Protecting a Strong Saskatchewan

SBP has provided procurement expertise to support the Government of Saskatchewan's pandemic response.  This includes working with the Ministry of Education to procure masks for use in Saskatchewan's K-12 school system as well as working with the Ministry of Health to deliver testing as part of the Ministry of Health's recently announced expansion of Rapid Point of Care testing.

SBP has also provided a single point of contact and coordination for Saskatchewan businesses, innovators and suppliers to bring forward solutions to help fight COVID-19 through the procurement@gov.sk.ca email account.

Budget 2021-22 also includes $9.5 million for Saskatchewan's Air Ambulance Service which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.  Saskatchewan Air Ambulance is instrumental in ensuring patients have timely access to emergency medical services and safe transportation to the care they need.  In the past five years the Air Ambulance team has made more than 14,000 flights covering a distance of more than 4.9 million kilometres.

SBP was formed in November 2020 through the merger of the Ministry of Central Services and SaskBuilds Corporation to oversee a new approach to the management of all infrastructure projects and assets, standardize government procurement and IT infrastructure, as well as support several important Saskatchewan Growth Plan Commitments:

• delivering a modern approach to IT service delivery and procurement;
• leveraging government procurement and government supply chains to support the development and growth of Saskatchewan businesses; and
• investing more than $30 billion over the next decade to build the infrastructure to support a growing province, a strong economy and a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people.  

SBP also provides critical operating and infrastructure services to government, working with client ministries to find the best solutions for their business.

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