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But Harpauer noted that much remains unknown, including consumer spending, federal support and the state of the global economy.

“Right now, very much most everything is out of our control,” she said. “The responsibility we need to take is in the recovery.”

The projections did not give any sense of how much more the province is likely to spend on health care, which could eat up far more resources due to COVID-19 pressures. Harpauer explained that current funding is still keeping up with expenses, for now.

NDP leader Ryan Meili said the government has to be accountable for what comes next, and how quickly recovery dawns on Saskatchewan.

“I think it’s a time for us to step back and realize that there is a role for the government to play,” he said. “There is a role for us to play in terms of which of those scenarios is going to be the reality. There are ways that the government can act to stimulate the economy.”

Meili called for a task force to develop a plan for the province, with business, labour, municipal and Indigenous participation. He said “key voices” are missing.

He said the NDP also wants to see some kind of arrangement to better allow the Opposition to hold the government to account.

“There’s never been a plan that’s been made worse by having another set of eyes,” said Meili.

Moe said the government is taking action to stimulate the economy, including through a $50-million package for small business unveiled last week and billions in infrastructure spending outlined in last month’s spending estimates.