If, as the newly released census data indicates, youre one of many arrivals to Alberta in the last half-decade, heres the shortcut to understanding Albertas politicians: On budget day, they replay their favourite spend-now, tax-later 1980s tunes.
Some history: Between the fiscal years 1986 and 1994 (fiscal years end March 31), the province of Alberta ran nine consecutive deficits. That happened because for too long, politicians assumed boom-time revenues would soon return. They were mistaken.
ron liepert
February 12, 2012
2:00AM
February 11, 2012
2:00AM
As Albertans ponder Premier Alison Redfords first budget, they would be wise to ignore Finance Minister Ron Lieperts assurance that Albertans can [take] comfort in our fiscal situation. A closer look at the budget reveals a dearth of prudence and no credible plan to return Alberta to a balanced budget position.