SASKATOON, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is correcting the record on provincial education spending as the union representing Saskatchewan teachers prepares to strike.

“Government spending on education has not been cut and is outpacing inflation,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “The teacher’s union wants to paint a narrative of cuts, but the numbers don’t lie and taxpayers are paying more for education than ever before.”

According to the public accounts, inflation-adjusted government spending on education has increased over the last six years. In 2017-18, the government spent an inflation-adjusted $2.3 billion on education. Last year, it spent $2.8 billion, an increase of 24 per cent.

Per person education numbers are also increasing. In 2017-18, the government spent an inflation-adjusted $2,018 per person on education, last year, the number was $2,408.

The government is spending a record amount on education in 2023-24. The only area that it spends more on than education is health care.

The provincial government is currently offering the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation a seven per cent salary increase.

“The teacher’s union needs to tell the whole story on education spending when it asks taxpayers for more money,” Haubrich said. “The union has the right to go to the bargaining table, but it’s clear that there have been no recent cuts to education.”