The government should learn from past experience and ensure new rules about the fund are constitutional.
heritage fund
In Alaska, the government must pay a portion of fund earnings to citizens in annual dividends.
Future governments can easily and unilaterally change any law passed by the legislature.
All resource revenue is typically included in the budget, creating volatility in provincial finances.
The province will run a projected $12.3 billion budget surplus this fiscal year.
In 2022/23, resource revenue is projected to be $28.4 billion, the highest level on record.
As resource revenue began increasing, Alberta’s per-person government spending increased from $7,393 to $13,114.
The Alberta government has not contributed any resource revenue to the Heritage Fund since 1986/87.
By limiting the amount of resource revenue included in the budget, the fund could restore discipline to government spending.