Provincial budget good news for city: Saskatoon mayor

Don Atchison says this year's provincial budget is good news for Saskatoon.

Specifically, the mayor pointed to the investment being made in infrastructure. Saskatoon will receive $10 million for the North Commuter Parkway Bridge and Traffic Bridge as well as $14.7 million for the Boychuck Drive, Highway 16 interchange.

• Saskatoon receives $30M injection for southeast interchange

"I am so delighted that the provincial government and the Premier have stayed true to their word," Atchison said.

"Traditionally those funds come forward after the project is completed, not during projects. I think it goes to show you the trust between the two orders of government."

This year's budget also includes Saskatoon's portion of the revenue sharing from the provincial sales tax. It will increase this year to $48.5 million, up from $47.4 million in 2015.

This isAtchison's 13th provincial budget as mayor and 22nd budget as city councillor and mayor. He saidthe relationship between the city and provincial government is the strongest he's ever seen.

"I can see from over the years we have gone from having very little dialogue at all and hearing at the 11th hour how much money we might receive, to having the certainty back in November and December, knowing basically what those numbers are going to be for us."

Atchison said he expectsthe people of Saskatoon willbenefit greatly from this budget.

"By having the certainty and the stability over the last few years, we know exactly where we're going."

Mayor responds to Meewasinfunding questions

Five of Saskatchewan's urban parks are having their grants cut, the provincial government announced Wednesday in the budget.

Provincial funding has been eliminated in for Wakamow in Moose Jaw, Chinook Parkway in Swift Current, Pehonan in Prince Albert, River Valley in Battlefords and Tatagwa in Weyburn.

The two biggest urban park operators in Saskatchewan Meewasin Valley Authority in Saskatoon and Wascana Centre Authority in Regina are still getting money this year.

• 5 urban parks lose $540K in provincial money, Meewasin and Wascana under review

However, according to Finance Minister Kevin Doherty, that's not guaranteed in future years as the cash-strapped province undergoes "transformational change."

Atchison sits on the MVA Board and saidthey need to have discussions with the provincial government about funding for this upcoming year.

"I don't know where the provincial government is in terms of funding for years '17 and '18," Atchison said. "We need to have the discussions with them, and where they think they're headed. Then we need to be able to put together a business plan for the future so that the MVA stays viable."