Official Opposition votes against key sections of Stelmach deficit budget
Edmonton – Official Opposition Deputy Leader Laurie Blakeman says that the Alberta Liberals will vote against the worst parts of Premier Stelmach’s 2010 budget, while supporting sections that allow government to function and vulnerable Albertans to receive public support.
“We’ll be voting against budget items in key areas where the Stelmach administration has failed to budget responsibly,” Blakeman says. “Namely, Aboriginal Relations, Advanced Education and Technology, Children and Youth Services, Culture and Community Spirit, Employment and Immigration, Environment, Health and Wellness, Housing and Urban Affairs, Seniors and Community Supports and Transportation.”
Blakeman says it’s impossible to support, for example, a budget with a single line item for nine billion dollars, as this budget allocates to Alberta Health Services with no legislative oversight as to how that money is being spent.
“Even before the Premier’s $2 billion in extra spending, Albertans were paying more per capita for health than any other Canadian jurisdiction – and getting poorer health outcomes,” Blakeman says. “The Premier’s solution is to pump even more money into the system, with no explanation, no accountability, no plan.”
On the other hand, the Official Opposition will vote against the drastic cuts to Seniors and Community Supports and Children and Youth Services, because those already underfunded ministries need more money to adequately support vulnerable Albertans.
The Alberta Liberals will support the rest of the budget, even though they are appalled by the size of the deficit.
“Here’s the reality: the budget needs to be passed because tens of thousands of individual Albertans depend on government funding of one type or another. We can’t delay those payments, since many of them support the most vulnerable citizens in our province – people depending on AISH, people receiving rent supplements and civil servants who support Albertans in many ways,” Blakeman says.
– 30 –
For more information contact:
albertaliberalcaucus
1-866-633-4214