Sask. government authorizes nearly $4.6B in spending by cabinet order

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With the Saskatchewan legislature still adjourned due to COVID-19, the government has begun appropriating money by cabinet order.

Through an order in council signed on April 22 and released Monday, cabinet approved $4,568,663,000 in spending for the current fiscal year in order to provide “flexibility” through August.

The government would normally have a budget before the legislature at this time. There is legislation in place to ensure interim funding while the budget is debated. But the Ministry ofFinance warned that money will run out before any new expenditures can be approved by the legislature.

“Given the extraordinary circumstances government is in, with a state of emergency and the legislature adjourned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a special warrant is in place which provides funding and some flexibility through August,” said Jeff Welke, a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance.