Province rolls out 2013 budget
Posted Mar 7, 2013 4:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A revenue shortfall in Alberta’s 2013 budget means a $2-billion deficit for the province.
Premier Alison Redford has kept her promises of no new taxes for Albertans, but the Tory government plans to borrow $4-billion to build schools, hospitals and highways.
Finance Minister Doug Horner says borrowing to pay for infrastructure is the right thing to do, because the province has a good credit rating and will have something to show for it.
Horner adds the government has had to make harsh cuts to senior programs and universities that are going to “cause a lot of pain.”
Universities and colleges will take a hit of roughly seven per cent to operating grants.
About eight thousand seniors will be dropped from the province’s low-income program.
There will be no mass layoffs other than 480 middle-level management cuts already announced.
There is no extra money set aside for negotiations with doctors, nurses or teachers.
Horner says the budget marks a turning point for the province towards “responsible change.”
