EDMONTON — Alberta’s 2018 budget includes more spending, an $8.8-billion deficit and a five-year plan to balance the books that’s tied to the ups and downs of oil prices and the vagaries of pipeline politics. “This budget continues to support the vital programs and services Albertans need,” Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Thursday. The downside is a debt load of $54.2 billion this year in a province that was effectively debt free 14 years ago. “If there was any suggestion the NDP was going to change its course and become fiscally responsible, that was blown out in a spectacular way in today’s NDP budget,” said Kenney. But $10.4 billion is expected when the two pipelines kick in and the budget is balanced in 2024.

Source: National Post March 22, 2018 21:22 UTC