coronavirus pandemic and an economic downturn impacted the provincial government’s progress to return to a balanced budget, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance.The government released the final results for the 2019-20 fiscal year on Tuesday.
University of Saskatchewan managing coronavirus impact heading into fall semester Saskatchewan’s reported deficit of $319 million was $51 million greater than the prior year.The government said the 2019-20 deficit is attributable to a steep revenue decline in the fourth quarter largely caused by the impact of the pandemic and resulting global market downturn.“Prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Saskatchewan was on track for balanced budgets in 2019-20 and in the current fiscal year,”.