NDP Energy Critic Kathleen Ganley, file photo. (Image: Canadian Press)

By David Opinko

UCP failing to use surplus to help Albertans, says NDP

Aug 31, 2022 | 3:28 PM

CALGARY, AB – Not everyone is happy with what the United Conservative Party (UCP) government plans to do with its forecast budget surplus.

Finance Minister Jason Nixon announced as part of the 2022-23 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement an expected surplus of $13.2 billion.

The UCP administration will use about $11 billion of that to pay down the provincial debt and bring it down to $79.8 billion.

New Democrat Party (NDP) Energy Critic Kathleen Ganley says the money should have instead been used to help people.

“Despite this record amount of resource revenue money flowing into government coffers, Alberta families are not feeling the benefit,” says Ganley. “In fact, many Albertans are struggling to make ends meet.”

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Canadians have seen near-record-breaking levels of inflation in 2022, including a 7.6% hike in the price of goods and services in July. Despite this, Nixon stated last month that Alberta remained an affordable place to live and do business.

READ MORE: “Life is already more affordable in Alberta,” says finance minister on inflation

While Ganley says the announcement that personal provincial income taxes will be indexed to inflation once again is positive, she believes it does not go far enough. The measure is expected to save Albertans on average $300 when they file their taxes in 2023.

She claims the UCP has made life less affordable.

“They’ve also increased property taxes, tuition, interest on student debt, fees for seniors’ medical exams, camping and park fees, utilities, and auto insurance,” says Ganley. “None of these UCP fee hikes were addressed in today’s update. If the UCP was serious about helping Albertans during this affordability crisis, they would reverse their tax increases and fee hikes.”

Ganley was also disappointed to see a lack of spotlight on economic diversification, something she believes should be a priority.

The full report on the 2022-23 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement can be viewed on the Government of Alberta’s website.

READ MORE: Alberta to use $13.2 billion surplus to pay down debts

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.