Economy front and centre as Alberta legislature opens for fall sitting
Posted Oct 26, 2015 7:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta politicians return to work in the legislature Monday for a short fall sitting.
Everyone is eagerly waiting on Finance Minister Joe Ceci’s budget, which we’re told will provide long-term initiatives to grow and diversify the economy.
It’s expected to focus on creating jobs, protecting core services and balancing the bottom line by 2020.
The budget deficit will be close to $6.5-billion, and Wildrose Leader Brian Jean says Alberta is flirting dangerously with a drop in its triple-a credit rating.
“It’s a very, very serious issue,” he said. “Credit rating means everything to a government in the future as far as money and savings and what kind of taxes are necessary.”
But House Leader Brian Mason says that’s just fear mongering.
Aside from the budget, Mason says about half a dozen pieces of legislation will be introduced, including changes to the fiscal management act, which dictates how much the government can borrow as well as a new bill to expand the province’s sunshine list.
Even as the legislature opens in Edmonton, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips will be in Calgary making a major announcement.
She’ll join Mayor Naheed Nenshi to unveil new flood mitigation projects along the Elbow and Bow Rivers.
