The big headlines around the federal budget will focus on the size of the deficit, the child care program and whether or not this version will be enough to trigger an election. But for those looking for a more granular approach, there are a couple things that will catch some attention here in Saskatchewan.
The first is the pandemic research centre in Saskatoon. VIDO InterVac is a national leader in vaccine development and their work has put Saskatoon on the map as the potential home of the national pandemic centre. That decision was not announced in the budget but nearly $60 million was earmarked for VIDO over the next two years to continue its work on developing a made-in-Canada COVID vaccine and a manufacturing facility.
And Regina has set its sights on becoming the home of a new organization called the Canada Water Agency. It too received some funding to allow development to continue. Although a site for the facility has not been identified, the feds did say it would build on the work of PFRA and that it will not be located in Ottawa – both factors working in Regina’s favor.
