The federal government loosening it’s purse strings with the recent announcement of various investments being made to our province.

Earlier this week, it was released that the government of Canada will be providing over $26.9 million in funding to improve and modernize local infrastructure in small communities across the province. This will be a joint effort, at the province of Saskatchewan will be anteing up the same funds for the 46 projects aimed at upgrading and expanding water and wastewater systems, and enhance local roads.

The total for the projects will be in excess of $80.9 million and with the governments kicking in more than $53.9 million, the remaining amount will be the responsibility of the recipients of the individual projects.

In the west central region there are approximately eight water and wastewater projects on the docket, including, Marengo, Eatonia and Leader. Eatonia will also be receiving social infrastructure upgrades, along with Maple Creek and Outlook.

The federal government also announced this past Tuesday that they are making substantial monetary investments focused towards Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population.

One announcement stated that they will be investing $2.3 million over two years to “preserve, promote and revitalize” Indigenous languages. The second outlined a $56.2 million partnership with the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

The money will be administrating the funds and implementing programs focusing on prevention activities in an effort to help keep families together. An additional pilot project will also be created in it’s wake to gauge the efficacy of the project.

The Indigenous population within the province has grown 22.6% in the last five years according to the latest census numbers, accounting for approximately 175,000 province wide.