Anticipated $349 million deficit for Saskatchewan, a stark contrast to budgeted 12 million surplus

The Saskatchewan government has released its first quarter budget update, revealing a significant shift from surplus to deficit. The initial budget had projected a surplus of $12 million, but the update forecasts a deficit of over $300 million.

The deficit is more than 27 times larger than the initial surplus, according to the update. The provincial government attributes the reduction in revenue to the removal of the federal carbon price levy and increased expenses such as wildfire and evacuation costs.

Meanwhile, Canada's Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, has removed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Her decision was explained by Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative finance critic, who used a hockey analogy to describe the move. Poilievre compared the removal of counter-tariffs to a hockey team taking off its helmet in a friendly gesture, suggesting that it was a step towards cooperation and unity.

In other news, the Saskatchewan first quarter budget update also forecasts a substantial decrease in revenue compared to the initial budget. The total revenue for the first quarter is expected to be $20.9 billion, $172 million lower than initially projected.

Elsewhere, Canada Post's talks with the union have been postponed, and half of Canadian post-secondary students are struggling to cover costs, according to a poll.

In a separate development, the parents of missing baby Emmanuel Haro have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The investigation into the disappearance of the infant is ongoing.

Air Canada operations are expected to be nearly back to normal by Friday, with flights resuming at full capacity after months of disruptions due to the pandemic.

Lastly, it's worth noting that the Finance Minister of Saskatchewan who presented the province's first quarterly budget is not found in the provided search results. The identity of the minister remains unknown at this time.