Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Budget 2021 shows a “lack of effort” to find savings

That’s why Toews’ top-line spending figure is such a headscratcher. In 2021, the government is expected to spend $62 billion. For comparison, the New Democrats spent $56 billion in its final year. Even after accounting for inflation and population growth, the United Conservatives are going to out-spend the NDP.

Let thank sink in.

During his time in Opposition, Premier Jason Kenney called the NDP’s 2018 budget a “fiscal train wreck.”

Now his UCP government is spending more than the NDP.

Following the NDP’s 2018 budget, Kenney rightly pointed out that finding savings is “not difficult in the most expensive provincial government in Canada.”

That’s why Budget 2021 leaves taxpayers with the impression that the government isn’t even trying to find savings.

Even in health care, Kenney and Toews would be able to find savings if they looked hard enough.

The CTF discovered more than 900 management bureaucrats on Alberta Health Service’s sunshine list in 2019 because they make more than $132,924. These aren’t frontline workers giving out vaccines. The list included 11 vice presidents, 571 directors, 204 managers, along with other management-type bureaucrats.

At $677,785 in total compensation, President and CEO Verna Yiu is making more than $200,000 more than her counterpart in Saskatchewan.

Do Albertans really need 900 management bureaucrats on AHS’ sunshine list?

Given the extent of the spending problem, the Alberta government should be able to find big savings in every department outside of health care.

So then why is the Executive Council’s budget increasing by $2 million this year? That’s the premier’s shop. Albertans need to see leadership from Kenney on savings, but he’s not even finding savings right under his nose. It’s a safe bet that there aren’t many Albertans laying awake at night worrying that the premier’s Executive Council doesn’t have enough cash.

Big spending means more debt that will need to be paid back. This year the debt is expected to reach $116 billion. Interest on the debt will total $2.8 billion, which will cost each Albertan $600. That’s not going to health care or lower taxes. That’s going into the pockets of bond fund managers on Bay Street.

Albertans should be concerned that if the government doesn’t get serious about finding savings, it will start looking to families to cover its tab. Toews again alluded to forming a tax panel in his budget speech.

“A third-party review of the efficiency and appropriateness of our revenue structure will be important in the future,” said Toews.

After more than a decade of runaway spending, it’s disappointing to see a lack of effort from this government to tighten its belt like everyone else. These are challenging times, but taxpayers shouldn’t let Kenney and Toews off the hook for their lack of effort.

Franco Terrazzano is the Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.

by Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Budget 2021 shows a “lack of effort” to find savings

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