With no policies to speak of yet, new finance critic confident a UCP government can balance the budget in three years

By Collin Gallant on November 1, 2017.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant

Drew Barnes agrees with his party’s leader that Alberta could see a balanced budget three years after the next election, if the United Conservative Party comes to power.

The MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat was named finance critic on Tuesday by party leader Jason Kenney.

He told the News later in the day that policy is to be developed, but he’s confident Kenney’s schedule could be accomplished.

“When I talk to a lot of (party members) they say that three years to a balance budget is fair and reasonable,” said Barnes, citing high per-capita spending and his belief the government has mismanaged infrastructure spending.

“There are systemic changes in health care and infrastructure that can get a lot more value for the government dollar that’s being spent.”

Barnes was briefly associate finance critic in 2014 in his first term, during which he was also full critic on infrastructure matters. He campaigned hard to both merge the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties, and was also one of the first Wildrose MLAs to back Kenney for leader over Wildrose head Brian Jean.

“I have a background in business and building community,” said Barnes. “I’m pleased that, with my colleagues and with Albertans, I’ll be able to work towards a stronger financial future for Alberta.”

On the issue of the deficit, Finance Minister Joe Ceci has said that the shortfall, expected to be $10.5 billion this year, would be cut by one third by 2021 and eliminated in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Kenney, who emerged from the party’s leadership contest as winner last weekend, has said the UCP could accomplish a balanced budget in half that time.

Critics say that could only be accomplished by aggressive cuts that would hurt Albertans and Alberta’s economy.

Barnes said much of the party’s policy will be developed at the party’s first policy convention in May.

“The job is to show Albertans and Canadians that we are the government in waiting, that I’m a finance minister in waiting, to inspire and build investor confidence, create jobs and invest money and grow wealth for all Albertans.

“We’ll put in systemic changes that make sure Alberta taxpayers get value.”

Among other appointments former PC Transportation minister Wayne Drysdale becomes transportation critic, Drumheller MLA Rick Strankman is responsible for agriculture, and Taber-area MLA Grant Hunter is labour.

Fort McMurray’s Tany Yao will handle the sprawling health portfolio.

Calgary MLA Prasad Panda is in charge of the energy file, Wainwright’s Wes Taylor surface rights, Calgary MLA Don MacIntyre electricity, and Drayton-Valley Devon member Mark Smith will critique education.

Former Progressive Conservative interim leader Ric McIver is the caucus whip.

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