Agricultural group 'concerned' by budget cut to Sask. water security agency
CBC
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) found some reasons to celebrate the 2026-27 provincial budget, but it takes issue with the amount designated for the province's Water Security Agency (WSA).
In a news release, APAS said it is concerned about reductions to the agency's funding, including a $12-million cut to dam and water infrastructure rehabilitation.
"Safe, reliable water infrastructure is the backbone of rural communities and agriculture," APAS president Bill Prybylski said in the release.
"Deferring maintenance creates long-term risks for producers who rely on these systems."
Speaking Thursday after participating in a panel discussion at Canada's Farm Show in Regina, Prybylski said the concern is that the cuts could result in the province falling behind on maintenance of some critical infrastructure.
Water is hugely important and the budget cut is "a little bit worrisome," he said.
"I guess the devil is going to be in the details and where we see exactly where there's going to be pullbacks in funding and which projects are going to be falling by the wayside."
Online budget estimates from the Saskatchewan government show almost $86 million will be set aside for the WSA this fiscal year. Last year, the budget for the agency was over $99 million.
The 2026-27 estimates for the agency's total, capital and operating budgets are all four-year lows, including a $1.6-million (5.5 per cent) reduction to the operating budget.
However, a spokesperson for the WSA said including the own-source revenue it receives as a treasury board Crown corporation, the agency's actual operating budget is the same as last year, nearly $72 million, and its total budget is $130 million.
Shawn Jaques, president and CEO of the Water Security Agency, told CBC News the change in the capital budget is largely based on what stage certain capital projects are at — design, engineering or construction.
"So that's why you're seeing a reduction," he said. "It's not going to impact any of the safety of the dams, because a lot of our capital is spent on making sure that dams are safe and doing the necessary repairs. All of that will continue as planned."
In spite of the critique about the WSA's budget, the government's investment in farm income stabilization is "significant," APAS said in its release.
"The agriculture budget notably focuses on reinforcing our safety nets in times of uncertainty," Prybylski said in the release. "These investments are vital to support farm and ranch families who are contending with narrow margins and market volatility."
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