Edmonton –
In Alberta, it’s the last budget day before the state legislative elections scheduled for May.
Finance Minister Travis Touse plans to roll out spending documents as parliament begins its spring sit-in.
The hope is that strong oil and gas earnings and higher payouts from mature oil sands businesses will generate billions more in the black.
The state is expected to receive $12.3 billion in the current fiscal year, which ends in just over a month.
Prime Minister Daniel Smith’s government has already announced new spending initiatives within its budget, including $158 million for physician recruitment and $243 million for primary care.
Opposition NDP financial commentator Shannon Phillips says Smith and the UCP cannot be trusted when it comes to health care. Because while you’re fighting doctors and trying to cut nurses’ wages during a pandemic, you haven’t been able to keep your spending in line with inflation and population growth.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on February 28, 2023.
