Sask. budget welcomed by mental health organizations, volunteer firefighters
Alongside a modest surplus of over $34 million, the 2019-20 Saskatchewan provincial budget included a heavy focus on targeted mental health spending and tax credits for volunteer firefighters.
The budget introduces a new non-refundable tax credit for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical first responders in the 2020 tax year. Those performing at least 200 hours of eligible volunteer services for a year will be able to claim a $3,000 tax credit. The income tax system already provides a $1,000 exemption for honoraria that a volunteer might receive.
If all 7,700 eligible people applied, it would impact the budget by around $2.5 million.