PROVINCE PROVIDES RECORD REVENUE SHARING IN 2012-13 BUDGET

Saskatchewan municipalities will receive record revenue sharing of $237.4 million in 2012-13, a 9.5 per cent increase from the previous year and an 87 per cent increase over the 2007-08 Budget.

Overall, provincial funding to municipalities in 2012-13 will be $349 million, up 15.0 per cent from 2011-12 Budget and $107 million, or 44.2 per cent from 2007-08 Budget. Based on actual spending this is an increase of 60.9 per cent from 2007-08.

"Vibrant Saskatchewan communities are a big part of the Saskatchewan Advantage," Municipal Affairs Minister Darryl Hickie said. "Our province and our communities continue to grow. Our economy is among those leading the nation. Municipal revenue sharing grows with the economy and we are working with municipalities to help Saskatchewan keep moving forward."

Recently released 2011 Census figures show that Saskatchewan grew by 65,224 people between 2006 and 2011, and at 6.7 per cent, was the third fastest growing province in the nation, reversing previous decreases in population in both the 2006 Census and the 2001 Census.

Unlike the 2006 Census, which saw several cities decline in population, every city in Saskatchewan enjoyed population growth in the 2011 Census, and 2012-13 municipal revenue sharing is based on the most recent census numbers.

In 2012-13 urban revenue sharing, for all cities, towns, villages and resort villages, rises to $151.94 million. Revenue sharing for rural municipalities, which includes organized hamlets, rises to $68.85 million, and revenue sharing for northern municipalities rises to $16.62 million. All pools of funding are up 9.5 per cent over last year, fiscal 2011-12.

Saskatchewan's largest city, Saskatoon, sees municipal revenue sharing increase to $42.14 million in 2012-13 from $37.86 million, or 11.3 per cent, from the previous year. Regina has municipal revenue sharing which grows to $36.62 million in 2012-13, up from $33.54 million, or 9.2 per cent from the previous year.

The 2012-13 Budget will provide $59.9 million in provincial support to municipal infrastructure through a number of ministries and programs. The Budget also provides funding to municipalities from ministries including grants for libraries, urban parks, policing and other aspects, totalling $51.6 million.

More information on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs is available at www.municipal.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Jeff Welke
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156
Email: jeff.welke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1185