Province appoints new panel to deal with its financial future
Posted May 7, 2019 12:22 pm.
Last Updated May 7, 2019 12:24 pm.
EDMONTON – A former NDP finance minister from Saskatchewan is heading a panel of experts looking into Alberta’s finances.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that Janice MacKinnon will chair the ‘Blue Ribbon Panel’ and come up with a plan by mid-August to get the province out of deficit.
MacKinnon says she is eager to get to work, adding they will have to make some sacrifices over the next few years, but it’s not a choice between spending or drastic cuts.
Premier @jkenney just announced the first step of Alberta's plan to balance the budget and pay down debt.
If it were up to the NDP, we would stay on a path toward a debt approaching $100 BILLION. #ableg pic.twitter.com/L3puu7GhHS
— United Conservative Party of Alberta (@Alberta_UCP) May 7, 2019
“This eminently qualified group will provide our government with the best possible advice on how to get Alberta’s finances out of the debt hole that we now find ourselves.”
Right now the province is projected to reach a $60 billion debt this year.
He says the panel’s advice will help the government balance the budget, without raising taxes, by the 2022-23 fiscal year.
The group’s recommendations will also help make up the budget in the fall.
“Continuing to spend will lead us to a future where draconian choices are necessary,” said Kenney.
The panel also includes Dr. Mike Percy, the former Chief of Staff to the late Jim Prentice and former ATB Financial CEO Dave Mowat.
Kenney’s United Conservatives defeated Rachel Notley’s NDP in last month’s provincial election.
MacKinnon was finance minister under Saskatchewan NDP Premier Roy Romanow and went on to advise several other governments on their fiscal plans.
