The 1990s were a period of economic challenges and political transformation for Saskatchewan, reflecting broader shifts in both the provincial and global landscape. This decade was characterized by fiscal austerity, political realignment, and significant policy reforms that aimed to address the economic difficulties and set a new course for the future.
The early 1990s saw Saskatchewan grappling with the aftereffects of the economic recessions that had impacted much of Canada and the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The province faced significant budget deficits, high unemployment rates, and stagnant growth, particularly affecting its core sectors like agriculture and natural resources.
In response, both provincial governments of the time—initially under the Progressive Conservative leadership of Grant Devine and later the New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Roy Romanow—implemented measures to stabilize the economy. The Romanow government, which came into power in 1991, focused particularly on fiscal prudence. It introduced austerity measures, including cuts to public spending and government services, to combat the province’s mounting debt and deficits. These measures were often controversial, reflecting a broader trend of fiscal restraint seen across Canada during this period.
The 1990s also saw significant political and social reforms. The NDP government focused on health care reform, attempting to manage costs while maintaining service levels. This included restructuring health care delivery and increasing emphasis on community and preventive care. Education and social services also saw reforms aimed at efficiency and better service delivery amidst the fiscal constraints.
Agriculture, a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s economy, faced its own set of challenges due to global market fluctuations and national policy changes. The 1990s witnessed shifts in agricultural policy, including reductions in federal subsidies and support, which forced many farmers to adapt to a more market-oriented and competitive environment. These changes spurred innovation but also led to increased stress within the farming community.
The 1990s were also marked by ongoing demographic changes, with continued urbanization and the beginnings of more significant cultural diversification due to immigration. Saskatchewan’s cities began to grow, reflecting national trends towards urban living, and the province slowly became more culturally diverse.
Environmental issues became more prominent during the 1990s, with increased public awareness and governmental focus on sustainable development. Saskatchewan began to face the realities of environmental degradation linked to agricultural practices and resource extraction, prompting discussions on sustainable land use and conservation efforts.
Timeline (1990-1999)
1990
1991
1992
- Canadian federal and provincial governments signed an historic land claim agreement with Saskatchewan First Nations. Under the Agreement, the First Nations received money to buy land on the open market. As a result, about 761,000 acres have been turned into reserve land.1
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
- March 11, 1998 Canadian Pacific (CP) discontinues the Amulet-Crane Valley railway line that ran through Kayville and operated for seventy-four years since being completed in 1924.2
1999
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 4). ‘Saskatchewan’. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:21, June 12, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saskatchewan&oldid=1227153480 ↩︎
- Government of Canada, Canadian Transportation Agency, Notices of Rail Lines Discontinuance, https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/notices-discontinuance-received-agency-under-section-146-july-1-1996-table, Viewed May 6, 2017 ↩︎
