There are many people in the southeast looking forward to the upcoming release of the provincial budget with a mixture of anxiety and hope. 

"I know that the government is very much going to try and make sure that they are not going into a deficit," explained Jackie Wall, Executive Director of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce. "They are being very fiscally responsible with their budget."

"Now that could result in an expansion or changes to the PST which I guess if there is going to be an increase in taxes, it's a consumption-based tax. It does have implications for many businesspeople but it is a consumption-based tax which is sometimes a better way to turn than an income tax."

"There is expected to be a bit of a deficit on this budget. I think that the government is trying to be as responsible as they can with what they have."

She added that there are a lot of unknowns at the moment which makes things difficult to predict. 

"There's a lot up in the air right now. We're still waiting to hear on the carbon tax and how that is going to unfold."

"I think there could be some announcement regarding education. We already have had the financial literacy curriculum announcement so there have been a few things coming forward as far as education. And then as well in the healthcare area, they're still working in those areas."

"I think it's going to be a very interesting budget. I think it's going to set the tone for the next couple of years and it will be a great opportunity for us to see how Premier Moe is going to differentiate his leadership as compared to the previous leader."

The provincial government has said that they want to return to balance by the 2019/20 budget.