Message from the Minister of Infrastructure the Honourable Prasad Panda, MLA

Message from the Minister of Infrastructure

HoN. PRasad PaNda, MLa

I wanted to provide an update about what’s been happening in the Legislature and our government’s priorities in the upcoming months.

Alberta’s Court of Appeal ruled February 24 that the federal Liberals’ carbon tax was an unconstitutional use of federal power. With Quebec, ontario, and other provinces also set to fight this latest round of jurisdictional overreach, the case will likely be heard by the supreme court this summer. in the meantime, Justice minister Doug schweitzer has demanded ottawa send the money it has collected back to the province. this judgment also sets the stage for our constitutional challenge against federal bill c-69, the no more Pipelines act.

unfortunately, that news was somewhat overshadowed when it was announced that teck was withdrawing its application to build the Frontier mine project in the oil sands. in another case of endless delays and constantly shifting goalposts, the company had secured the support of every First nation in the area of the mine, and our provincial government made every conceivable concession to ottawa in the bid for federal approval. sadly, this seems to be another case of capital fleeing the province as a result of endless uncertainty created by a federal government that makes a habit of biting the hand that feeds it.

Wednesday, February 26, the lieutenant governor delivered our second Speech from the Throne which outlined the government’s plans to become the freest, fastest-moving, and lowest-taxed province. enhancing access to skilled trades training, diversifying the economy, faster recognition for foreign credentials, breaking down trade barriers, and getting our fiscal house in order were a few of the measures outlined. this ambitious agenda will mean a lot of legislation will have to be passed over the coming months.

on February 27, minister of Finance travis toews introduced budget 2020. i am happy to share that our government is keeping alberta on track to achieve a balanced budget by 2022-2023, while maintaining strong support for social services and programs.

Despite what you might hear or read, let’s be very clear about what’s actually in the budget. Health care spending has increased since the nDP were in government. education funding is the same as it was under the nDP. the ministry of community and social services, and Children’s Services Alberta are being funded at record highs.

and notably for my role as minister for infrastructure, capital spending will be higher in 2020 than what the nDP had proposed. budget 2020 added $772 million in infrastructure spending (which

brought the total spending to just under $7 billion), meaning even more schools, hospitals, and roads will be built, as well as good jobs for tradespeople, architects, and engineers.

in closing, our government continues working hard to secure a fair deal for alberta in confederation. With albertans contribut-

ing an annual $20 billion more to ottawa than we receive back in programs or transfers, our Fair Deal panels have been listening to albertans in every corner of the province. albertans now have the chance to submit feedback online at alberta.ca/fairdeal. -

6214 90A Street Grande Prairie, AB 780–882–5946 absolute-hvac.ca