The Government of Saskatchewan has authorized more than $654.7 million in additional spending through special warrants, just weeks before the upcoming provincial budget.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck criticized the move during a news conference, stating, “Instead of a plan to dig us out from this mess, we see Scott Moe and the Sask. Party wanting to hit the gas.”
Understanding Special Warrants
Special warrants allow governments to access funds when the legislature is not in session, specifically for the current fiscal year. This marks the third consecutive year the province issues such warrants in mid-February.
Beck raised concerns about the province’s budgeting practices and the lack of clarity on the current deficit size. The most recent fiscal update from November projected a year-end deficit of $427 million, but Beck suggests the new warrants could push it beyond $1 billion. She added, “The fact that it’s a question just illustrates how much this government has retreated from what should be basic accountability for any government.”
Breakdown of Funding Allocations
The province issued 12 special warrants on February 13, 2026, distributed across ministries as follows:
- Ministry of Advanced Education: $2.2 million
- Ministry of Agriculture: $103.8 million
- Ministry of Community Safety: $43.9 million
- Ministry of Education: $36.4 million
- Ministry of Energy and Resources: $2 million
- Ministry of Finance: $16.2 million
- Ministry of Health: $338 million
- Ministry of Highways: $26.2 million
- Ministry of Immigration and Career Training: $1.9 million
- Ministry of Justice and Attorney General: $9.1 million
- Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport: $310,000
- Ministry of Social Services: $75 million
Finance Minister Jim Reiter plans to table the provincial budget in March. A provincial statement notes that these warrants address cost pressures and support priority areas needing immediate attention. They will appear in the supplementary estimates No. 2 on budget day.
This year’s total falls below previous amounts: $750 million in 2024 and $923.1 million in 2025.
