Summary

The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026 grants the Minister of Finance explicit authority to create and administer grant programs and provide financial assistance to persons, organizations, or First Nations inside or outside Saskatchewan for programs and purposes prescribed in regulations. The Act also adds a good faith immunity clause protecting the Crown, the minister, and Ministry of Finance employees from civil litigation when acting under the Act's authority.

This bill changes The Financial Administration Act, 1993 to give the Minister of Finance formal legal authority to run grant programs and provide financial assistance. The minister can now guide economic development policies and give grants or similar financial help to individuals, businesses, organizations, or First Nations for programs that will be defined later in regulations. Those regulations will set out who is eligible, how to apply, funding limits, and other program rules. The bill also protects the minister and ministry staff from being sued for actions taken in good faith under this authority. Regulations made under this authority can be applied retroactively to the start of the calendar year in which the grant is paid.