Although the writ has not yet been dropped for the 2019 provincial election – only Premier Rachel Notley has the power to do that – the unofficial campaign is already well underway.
And while issues surrounding education, health care, infrastructure and transportation are certain to be on the agenda when official campaigning starts, the status of the province’s finances may end up being the top topic of conversation.
Impacting not only the running of the province, the government’s finances directly impact every family and business in Alberta.
As such, mismanagement on the part of the government when it comes to finances can have both short- and long-term negative impacts on the day-to-day lives of residents.
Judging from the recent fiscal update provided by Finance Minister Joe Ceci – and the reaction from the Opposition United Conservative Party – government finances is already a hot pre-election issue.
For his part, Ceci says the government’s fiscal planning and policies are working well.
“The deficit is down and the path to balance is on track,” said Ceci. “Alberta has the strongest balance sheet in the country and that will not change. But there is more work to do. We will continue to fight for an economy that works for everyday families.”
On the other hand, the official Opposition says the NDP government has made a real mess of things.
“The NDP’s vague ‘path to balance’ promises mean little,” said UPC MLA Drew Barnes. “Over the last four years, the NDP promised four different dates for a supposed return to balance. The only certainty is that the NDP’s debt-heavy agenda means less for services and more in interest payments for bankers and bond holders.”
While Albertans will be asked to base their votes in the upcoming election on many things, finances could end up being the most important issue.
And the party that can convince Alberta voters that they – and not their opponents – have the best plan for the province’s finances going forward may have the best chance of winning.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
