The right plan for today and tomorrow

A message from Premier Ed Stelmach

Alberta’s 2008 budget and our strategic business plan reflect what Albertans have told us are important to them. That's why 70 per cent of spending is on priority areas – health, education, advanced education, seniors and community supports.

One of the first steps we’re taking is to eliminate health care premiums as of January 1, 2009. We’re building and maintaining infrastructure with an $8.7-billion capital plan this year. We’ve earmarked $500 million over the next three years to support recommendations made last fall by the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force. And we will pursue a leading role in addressing climate change, through carbon capture and storage, saving energy and greener energy production.

Hard work and good fortune have made these exciting times in Alberta. But while many Albertans have flourished, we must also pause to recognize how growth has impacted our citizens, communities and our province as a whole. With the right planning, we can deal with the realities of today, and also ensure long-term prosperity and security for tomorrow.

Learn more about Budget 2008

Alberta reaches milestone in cutting greenhouse gas emissions

For the first time in North America, oil sands facilities, coal-fired plants and other companies met a requirement to reduce the intensity of their greenhouse gas emissions by 12 per cent.  Companies had until March 31, 2008 to comply with the Alberta law, which came into effect July 1, 2007.

Preliminary results indicate companies made 2.6 million tonnes of actual reductions through operational changes and practices – including better use and re-use of energy – and investing in verified reductions created by other Alberta projects.  The reduction is equivalent to taking 550,000 vehicles off the road.

Companies also chose to pay approximately $40 million into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund, which will invest in projects and technologies to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta.

Another way Alberta is contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is by launching a council that will develop a roadmap for implementing carbon capture and storage.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CARBON CAPURE AND STORAGE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

$500 million provided to municipalities to manage growth

The Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) was established by Premier Stelmach in 2007 to help municipalities with growth pressures.  The 2008 budget provides $200 million more than last year to municipalities, in MSI funding that can be directed to infrastructure priorities,  for a total of $500 million.  This amount will increase to $600 million in 2009, and $1.4 billion annually beginning in 2010.

MSI funding includes a capital component for projects such as roads, public transit, water systems and emergency systems; and an operating funding component that supports expenses related to planning activities, administration, recreation and other municipal services.

Budget 2008 includes estimated MSI funding of $91.8  million to Edmonton, $143  million to Calgary and $265 to municipalities in the rest of the province.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MUNICIPAL FUNDING

Community Spirit Program benefits charities and non-profits, encourages donations

Whether it's is a donation of $10 a month or $100 a month, Albertans know the importance of charitable giving. In fact, Albertans are already some of the most giving and generous people anywhere.  Based on this premise the Alberta government has developed its $100-million Community Spirit Program.

This donor-driven program includes an enhanced charitable tax credit that began January 1, 2007 giving Alberta one of the highest charitable tax credits in Canada. Including the federal credit, Albertans now receive a 50-cent tax credit for every dollar donated over the $200 threshold to registered charities.

A new component, the Donation Grant Program, provides funding to eligible non-profit and charitable organizations based on their annual donations from individuals.  This program will provide proportional grants to the organizations that Albertans support.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT PROGRAM