Albertans are invited to take part in provincial budget consultations over the next few weeks as the NDP government prepares to roll out its 2017 budget this spring.
Airdrie Wildrose MLA Angela Pitt said it’s important for Airdrie residents to take part in the discussion.
“This government needs to hear from you,” Pitt said. “I would encourage people to let the government know they want the carbon tax scrapped (and) hold the line on spending as we will hit $56 billion in debt by 2019.”
Minister of Finance Joe Ceci has been holding public meetings across the province over the last couple of weeks and will continue to do so throughout the month of January. Telephone townhalls with Premier Rachel Notley and Ceci will also take place for Southern Alberta Jan. 31.
“We saw some promising signs of economic stability leading into the New Year, but there is still a lot of work to do as we prepare for the next budget,” Ceci said in the release. “These are still challenging economic times and I would like to hear from Albertans about their priorities and ideas on how to best meet their needs without increasing costs or affecting front-line services.”
According to the release, the province is projecting a deficit of $10.8 billion for 2016-17.
Pitt said she’s anticipating the budget will be released mid-March.
“I am hoping for and have asked for funding on an upgraded emergency care facility but I expect to see an increase in operational spending to support the urgent care facility in being open additional hours that was promised last fall,” Pitt said.
Suggestions can be submitted online at alberta.ca/budget-consultations.aspx until Feb. 3. Pitt is also asking Airdrie residents to send her their thoughts via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling her office at 403-948-8741.
“It’s hard to trust a government that has masked privately held events by NDP MLA’s as public consultations. If the public’s input was truly what they wanted then these would be open to the public and not just friends of the NDP MLA’s,” Pitt said. “I will be asking tough questions of this budget once it is released.”
