Loud boos rose from the crowd at any mention of Quebec or free trade after city council passed a resolution declaring its support for the oil and gas industry.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Thursday the province's current deficit sits at $8.8 billion on revenue of $47.9 billion.

Alberta's NDP government is facing accusations the broad guidelines for its multibillion-dollar proposed carbon tax will change it from a climate-fighting levy into an all-purpose slush fund.