EDMONTON — Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the government’s goal is to keep this year’s deficit at $6.1 billion despite oil prices that continue to slide.
Ceci says he doesn’t plan to make a mid-course correction before the end of the financial year on March 31.
The budget is based on an average West Texas Intermediate price of US$50 for a barrel of oil.
In recent weeks, the price has slipped well under $40 a barrel.
READ MORE: Oil drops below $40 U.S. per barrel
Ceci has said that a number of programs that were to start up in 2016-17 may have to be put on hold or get reduced funding.
But one initiative that is going ahead is a student summer hiring program.
WATCH: The announcement that the Alberta NDP could delay promises that would help Albertans comes at a time when they are needed the most. Tracy Nagai reports.
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