The Canadian Taxpayer Federation is putting Saskatchewan communities’ per-person spending in the spotlight.  

CTF Prairie Director Gage Haubrich says after over a decade of lobbying the provincial government to post municipal spending records, they were shared just a few years ago, and the most recent data comes from 2024. 

When looking at large cities, Regina is catching up to Saskatoon in per person spending, and ‘not in a good way.’ Haubrich says since 2020, Saskatoon has increased its per-person spending by 4 per cent, while Regina’s has shot up by 15.  Saskatoon spends about $3254 per person, while Regina spends $3011.

“I think Regina City Council needs to explain where that gap is coming from, why their taxpayers are going to have to pay so much more.”

When it comes to medium and small cities, Swift Current is spending the most per person at $3777, which is more than both Saskatoon and Regina.  

“To be frank, I’m from Swift Current, and it seems fairly similar to other towns in the province. The streets aren’t paved in gold, so I’m wondering where that extra money is going.”

Looking at towns, Gravelbourg spent the most at $4367 per person, and Ponteix spent the least at $1570. 

“Similar areas of the province, but one is blowing its budget, while the other is keeping it fairly efficient.”

Haubrich says what municipalities should be doing is looking to Warman and Martensville for pointers. Warman spent $1858 per person in 2024, and Martensville spent $2075, the two lowest spends in the province. 

He encourages residents of high-spending communities to talk to their council and, hopefully, bring that price tag down.