Murray Wood: Of Easter bunny bells and Juicy Fruit gum
For Murray Wood, Easter brings to mind grandma's practical advice about repurposing, and some of life's little lessons.
REGINA — Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP is calling on Premier Scott Moe’s government to open the books for spending an extra $655 million.
The province is paying that amount through executive orders signed this week.
NDP Leader Carla Beck told reporters Wednesday that the Saskatchewan Party government should release its third-quarter financial report to show the public the state of the province’s finances.
“(The deficit) is definitively higher but by how much?” she said. “I shouldn’t have to sit here and play guessing games, and the people of the province shouldn’t have to sit here and play guessing games.”
The executive orders show most of the extra spending is going to health care, agriculture programs and social services. It’s also covering additional costs for RCMP and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, which is responsible for fighting wildfires.
Beck argued Moe hasn’t been transparent about the province’s spending plans, pointing to wild fluctuations in the budget.
Saskatchewan’s mid-year report shows a projected year-end deficit of $427 million, a major swing from the projected $12-million surplus when it was introduced in the spring.
“What we’ve seen from this government is tax, squander, rinse and repeat,” Beck said. “They’re spending like drunken sailors.”
In a statement, Moe’s office said it’s doing what the NDP has called for, including spending more on health care and other services while protecting the economy from U.S. tariffs.
“Now, after the government has done exactly that, the NDP is demanding that we cut spending,” it said. “This is exactly why no one takes the NDP seriously and why they continue to be an unserious Opposition.”
The premier’s office didn’t say if it would release the third-quarter report or what the bottom line will now be.
Beck said the province could be making better spending decisions.
“This is about effective spending so that Saskatchewan people don’t have to hear from the government waiving a report around on health care improving,” she said.
People need to “actually feel” like it’s getting better, Beck added.
“Not suggesting it is simple. But it’s not going to be fixed, if this government continues to just tout numbers and refuse to be accountable for results.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2026.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
