Provincial budget means big changes for Calgarians
Posted Apr 14, 2016 5:01 pm.
Last Updated Apr 14, 2016 6:33 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Thursday’s provincial budget had some big changes for Calgarians that will impact their day-to-day lives.
When it came to the “carbon levy,” officials were unable to comment as to how it would work at the pumps, but the cost of gasoline by the litre will most likely be increasing.
The levy is slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2017, and what was once promised as “revenue neutral” will now only provide rebates to some.
Finance Minister Joe Ceci didn’t beat around the bush when asked about the new budget.
He said this has always been a plan that will help low and middle income Albertans.
Levies will be added onto diesel, gasoline, natural gas and propane, with eligible First Nations individuals and bands qualifying for an exemption.
In return, single Albertans who make less than $47,000 yearly will get a rebate of $200 in 2017 and $300 in 2018.
It’ll then move downwards on a sliding scale until a yearly net income of $51,250.
Albertans with a spouse can add $100 in the first year to their total, $150 for the second.
Those with children can then tack on an additional $30 for each child up to a maximum of 4 in year one, $45 in year two.
Government officials expect upwards of 60 per cent of households in the province will be eligible for the full rebate.
Legislation and more information on how it will work at the pumps is slated to be released later this spring.
There will also be infrastructure money coming for the city.
Most notable will be the $1.2 billion over five years for the Calgary Cancer Hospital.
The exact price tag of the budget has yet to be determined because the government is still waiting to issue tenders on the project.
Officials say construction won’t be possible until either 2017 or 2018, and even then, that puts the completion date at 2024.
The University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering will be getting $25 million and another $52 million in the following year.
The University of Calgary’s MacKinnie Complex and Professional Building has been allocated $17 million over the two year time frame.
Flood recovery gets $271 million in the first year of the next five, but officials admit that’s not new money, and the information had already been announced.
Less and less money will be allocated to mitigation projects over the coming years, with the government projecting $50 million in 2020/2021.
Foothills Medical Centre, the Peter Lougheed Centre and the South Health Campus will also be getting $86 million to split.
The Calgary Remand Centre will see $5 million for divided living units, while the Calgary Courts parkade will get $3 million for its restoration.
A total of $527 million has been set aside for this year to help with the Edmonton and Calgary ring roads.
Government officials declined to provide a break down as they didn’t have the exact cost associated with Stoney Trail.
Money has also been set aside to expand the Highway 2 corridor.
The Calgary Zoo will get $10 million over the next three years to help with its expansion plans while Winsport gets $10 million in years two and three to help refurbish its sliding track.
Ceci and his team also provided the media with a long list of projects they’d like to get to but are unable to with the lack of current funds.
