Mr. Speaker, people in Saskatchewan are still talking about what a great deal we got in last week's budget.
Not only have non-renewable resources been removed from the equalization formula, ensuring that $226 million in equalization money will flow to the province, but over $1 billion in other new funding will make its way to Saskatchewan.
Per capita, Saskatchewan will see a $230 per person increase in equalization. This compares to $90 per person for Quebec and $100 for Manitoba.
In addition to this new fair deal, Saskatchewan will see $756 million under the Canada health transfer, another $342 million through the Canada social transfer for post-secondary education, and a whopping $75 million for infrastructure.
The only person upset at this budget is Premier Lorne Calvert. He cannot take yes for an answer.
He wanted non-renewable resources out of the formula and it is out. He wanted $800 million in new funding for the province and he got it.
Lorne Calvert will just have to take yes for an answer and try to find something else to distract voters in Saskatchewan from his horrible record as premier.