Saskatchewan's government earmarking additional $1 billion in spending

Saskatchewan's government is poised to spend an extra $1 billion this year, a move that would sink the province's finances deeper into the red.

A committee meeting heard an additional expense of $813 million is required for SaskPower, the province's electrical utility.

It also heard an additional $194 million is needed to pay for carbon price fuel charges the province didn't collect.

Opposition NDP members at the meeting accused Premier Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party government of ducking accountability, as Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison and his officials did not appear at the committee to take questions.

The additional expenditures are to be presented to the assembly for a vote.

In its mid-year financial report, the province projected the deficit would grow to $427 million after initially projecting a $12-million surplus.

In its mid-year financial report, the province projected the deficit would grow to $427 million after initially projecting a $12-million surplus.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu