It is with great pleasure that I table the 2006-07 Budget and supporting documents for public review and discussion.

This Budget delivers on our commitments to encourage economic growth and job opportunities and invest in our communities to make Saskatchewan an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

This Budget encourages continued economic growth and prosperity through business tax reforms, new investments in labour force development, new investments in environmental sustainability, and new investments in our community and economic infrastructure.

This is a Budget that offers numerous reasons for our youth - arguably our most valuable resource - to build their futures right here at home. University tuition is frozen until 2008, increased training seats not only meet but exceed our commitment of 5,400 new seats by 2007-08, a new tax credit for employed tradespeople, and more employment opportunities resulting from business tax reforms - these measures, and more, offer incentives for our young people to not only receive a quality education in-province, but also establish their careers here.

This is a Budget that emphasizes social programming and helps us to ensure no one is left behind on the path to opportunity. From significant funding for municipalities, school boards, universities, Health Authorities, and CBOs, to increased social benefits for our most vulnerable, to enhanced education property tax relief on agricultural land - not to mention record levels of funding for health ($3.2 billion) and education ($1.5 billion, including teachers' pensions and benefits) - this is a Budget that takes care of Saskatchewan people.

Following two years of unprecedented revenue growth - due in large part to increased oil and gas revenues and expanded mineral production - combined with significant economic growth, there is a sense of optimism in Saskatchewan. This Budget builds on that optimism, providing even more exciting opportunities for growth.

I invite you to browse this and other related documents to discover for yourself how Saskatchewan people will benefit through measures provided in Budget 2006-07.

Honourable Andrew Thomson
Minister of Finance