EDMONTON – Alberta politicians return to work Monday at a legislature sitting that’s expected to be dominated by debate over the budget.
Higher than expected oil revenues are expected to push the province into a surplus position on day-to-day spending while debt for capital spending will be more than $8 billion.
The government’s accounting methods have come under fire since Premier Alison Redford split the budget into three mini-budgets last year.
Critics say that has left the bottom line number open to interpretation on whether a budget is in surplus or in deficit.
For example, this year, the government says the final consolidated deficit number will be $335 million, while opponents peg it at $3.5 billion.
Redford’s team is also bringing in legislation this sitting to reform public service pensions, and has promised new rules so the public can get more information on children who die in government care.
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