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Alberta

Alberta fiscal update shows improved surplus but raises caution flags about debt

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From the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Author: Kris Sims 

Fiscal update shows accounting surplus of $2.9 billion

Provincial debt projected to be $86.1 billion

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is cautioning the Alberta government for its increased borrowing and looming government union contract demands in response to the first quarter fiscal update.

“It’s very good news to see the provincial surplus increasing, but taxpayers are concerned the debt is still going up,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “Premier Danielle Smith did the right thing by passing a law to save money in the Heritage Fund and now the government needs to deliver its promised income tax cut.”

The Alberta government released its first quarter fiscal update Thursday.

The provincial surplus is forecasted at $2.9 billion, which is a $2.5-billion increase from February’s thin forecast surplus of $367 million.

The provincial debt is forecasted to hit $86.1 billion by the end of this fiscal year, up $4.2 billion from the last fiscal year.

Interest on the debt continues to be a challenge, with the government estimated to spend about $3.2 billion on interest charges this fiscal year.

Government revenue is expected to reach $76.2 billion, which is $2.7 billion higher than estimated in Budget 2024. Income tax revenue is expected to be $513 million higher than estimated in Budget 2024.

The government is spending $73.2 billion, which is $101 million higher than estimated in Budget 2024.

Finance Minister Nate Horner raised the issue of government union contract negotiations this happening fall.

“Collective bargaining negotiations are underway with thousands of public sector workers, including teachers and nurses and we’ve promised to cut personal income taxes to save Albertans $1.4 billion each year,” Horner said in a news conference.

“Even though this is an improved surplus, the government doesn’t have cash to spare, so it can’t be blowing the budget on big pay hikes for government unions this fall,” Sims said. “The Alberta government needs to deliver on its promise to cut income taxes.”

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Alberta

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Media Roundtable from Washington

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From the YouTube channel of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Members of the media join Premier Danielle Smith for a round table on January 21, 2025.

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Alberta

Is There Any Canadian Province More Proud of their Premier Today…

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Prior to Trumps inauguration event and announcement was made that Trump would not be imposing the 25% tariffs…

Which means, Canada seriously dodged a bullet here.

And while the Liberals will most likely frame this as, their success in showing, Bad Orange Man, that they’re tough and ready to burn down what is left of our economy, throwing Alberta under the bus, first…through a nuclear option…

Premier Smith rode this challenge out like the true champion we knew that she would be.

It’s hard to say if this was a legality matter in the grander scheme…or if the 25% tariffs would have truly been as big of an impact on the US…

One thing is clear, however…

Smith was ready to go to the tables with the Trump administration and opt for diplomacy over threats…which should be what we expect from our leaders.

And should these 25% tariffs have gone through…I’m more than sure a Plan B would have been brought out in civil conversations, over screeching rhetoric.

“She’s treasonous”, they screeched.

“She’s supporting her friends in Oil and Gas”, they relent.

“She should put Canada first”, they echo…

And let’s just address these…

Is Walmart beholden to Campbells soup? Fruit of the Loom? Kraft?

Or does Walmart sell products that helps keep their doors open?

Walmart is not beholden to any product…just like Premier Smith isn’t. We have 26% of our GDP – the largest portion – owed to Alberta O&G, something that we have a limited trade partner with, due to the Liberal – Anti-Alberta/Anti-O&G/Anti-Pipeline attitude that wants to spend us further in debt with unreliable and expensive “Renewables”.

What does Alberta get from renewables?

A higher cost for energy, in an affordability crisis, created by the same people who continue to push them…sounds like a terrible deal, for Albertans, and something a true leader would Not Favor.


When Walmart sits down to hash out a deal with Heinz, are they committing treason because they haven’t shown their allegiance to their own, ‘Great Value’ brand Ketchup?

No…other provinces have their own industries and resources, which they are free to continue developing independent of the federal government, as is suitable and supportive of their own economies…Alberta isn’t competing with them, nor Canada as a whole.

Alberta through industry and resource, actually supports Canada through a grand imbalance on “Equalization Payments”…

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As do we through paying 50% more into the Canada Pension Plan, than we actually get out of the Canada Pension Plan…to the tune of a $334 Billion Dollars.


And as for this “Team Canada”, horseshit…

The title Premier of Alberta, should hold some clues as to who Premier Smith should be advocating for…as she is the Premier of Alberta and Not the Prime Minister, nor leader in the Liberal Party that has created this fiasco, to begin with.

Rail, as they may…other provinces can’t cast a vote in her support, either way…

None of the other provinces, through Members of Parliament, nor through Premiers, came to support Alberta and our economy through a number of Federal Bills that railed on our provincial resources…

Worse yet…these hypocrites cash cheques from our province, while telling us how to diversify our economy…to which I’d state one thing unequivocally…

If we wanted to be a Have Not Province…like you are…we’ll come and ask you for your advice.

Until then…

I’ll hold my Alberta Flag Higher than my Canadian…

And be proud today, of having the only Premier in the country of Canada, worthy of any praise today!

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