Albertans asked to give feedback on upcoming budget

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s finance minister says he expects all provincial departments to make recommendations similar to cuts recently announced by the health ministry for next year’s budget.

Minister Travis Toews made the remarks after launching public consultations for the 2021 budget to gather input on spending priorities and where to look for savings.

An online survey runs from now until Dec. 4 and telephone town halls will also take place on Nov. 30, Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

“The province’s deficit and growing debt clearly show that fiscal responsibility and accountability to Alberta taxpayers is more important than ever,” said Toews. “I encourage all Albertans to provide their input and help shape the future of our province.”

WATCH: UCP 2020 budget backlash continues

It comes one day after Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced 11,000 jobs were being cut at Alberta Health Services and moved to private companies, a move the Opposition NDP said is cruel and will create chaos in the health-care system.

Toews said Shandro is “carefully and thoughtfully” making a number of changes that were recommended in a recent AHS review.

He said a similar approach needs to be applied to every ministry as the United Conservative government looks for efficiencies in delivering services.

Toews also announced the government will launch an online “build a budget” tool in November that will ask Albertans to make choices on spending and revenue and then show the resulting impacts on the overall budget.

The province is facing a deficit of $24.2 billion for this fiscal year with the debt forecasted to reach nearly $100 billion by March 2021.

 

With files from The Canadian Press

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today