NDP finance critic calls province’s jump in oil revenue nothing more than “luck”

Nov 30, 2021 | 1:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — While Alberta’s second-quarter fiscal update may look like Christmas has come early for the government, the NDP’s finance critic says Alberta families are looking at a more expensive Christmas than ever, with higher taxes and higher costs for everything, now, and into the new year.

Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips doesn`t see much positive about the government’s second-quarter fiscal update.

READ MORE: High-flying oil and gas prices paint a rosier shade of red ink on Alberta budget

She acknowledged global energy prices have had a large impact on provincial revenue, with the highest prices since 2014

But, while it’s a positive bit of news, Phillips calls it nothing more than good luck, which is out of the control of the government.

She notes the government is rolling in new money. But, Albertans are paying more for income tax, property tax, student fees, car insurance and utility bills, which she claims the government has no plan to address.

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She says Albertans will continue to fall further behind every month.

Phillips contends the economy is projected to be six-tenths of a percentage point smaller than at the end of August, despite higher oil prices. She also notes there are fewer people working in the province but, there’s greater income tax revenue for the province.

The MLA claims the loss of Alberta jobs since the end of August is the direct result of the UCP’s deadly failure to manage the fourth wave of COVID-19 and that the information is pointed out on page 14 of the mid-year economic statement, where treasury board officials explicitly acknowledge her statement.

by Dori Modney