The Trans-Canada Bridge in Medicine Hat, along with a lot of Canada geese, are seen at sunset on March 9.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The provincial budget’s effect on Medicine Hat is being debated by opposition party candidates and MLAs for the region, including Premier Danielle Smith.
The document, tabled Feb. 28, shows a second straight surplus for the province is expected in 2023-24 – $2.4 billion on higher revenue expected from the energy sector, decreasing debt, no new taxes and higher funding in health and education.
“Premier Smith will continue to ensure there is a bright future with more investment, jobs and high-quality educations for her constituents in Brooks-Medicine Hat and all Albertans,” reads a statement from her office to the News.
Critics however, question estimates, and say new social programs still doesn’t make up for underfunding in past years.
NDP candidates for both the Brooks-Medicine Hat and Cypress-Medicine Hat ridings say the local region was “ignored” in the budget and repeated the party’s vow to make changes if they win the expected May general election.
“This first budget from Danielle Smith should be her last,” said Gwendoline Dirk, who faced Smith in the November byelection and will run again in Brooks-Medicine Hat this spring.
“The UCP’s so-called ‘affordability plan’ expires right after the provincial election and the health-care crisis being felt across the province continues despite claims to the contrary by the government,” said Dirk. “Smith has done nothing to help her constituents make ends meet at the end of each month, or find access to health care, which is desperately needed here.”
Smith’s office points to specific capital promises of money to design replacements or major modernizations for St. Francis Xavier School in Medicine Hat’s Catholic system and Brooks Junior High, as well as functional funding in Prairie Rose School Division.
The budget as a whole, she says, makes “record investment” in education and health-care delivery, and “maintains the conditions for businesses, workers and families to thrive.”
Operational spending in education and health-care delivery will rise by 4.1 and 5.2 per cent, respectively.
The NDP however, argues that once inflation and population growth are factored in, about $1.5 billion more is needed in each area to keep pace.
Dirk, a former business instructor at Medicine Hat College, says the institution has been left out of announcements at other locations after cuts in recent years.
“Education is still severely underfunded … and we don’t see any significant support for Medicine Hat College which has suffered significant budget cuts by the UCP,” she said.
Both nominees for the UCP candidacy in Cypress-Medicine Hat – James Finkbeiner and Justin Wright – have supported calls to twin Highway 3, as well as spending in irrigation expansion, but say more is needed in future years.
Party members in the south of the city voted Thursday in the nomination contest.
Smith too points to money for tax credits to incentivize agri-processing investments above the $10-million mark, support for irrigation and funds for rural health care, including funds to study health facilities in Bassano.
The budget “fails Hatters and those in the agricultural sector,” said Cathy Hogg, the NDP’s candidate in Cypress-Medicine Hat.
“This government vowed to be the voice for rural Albertans … Producers, ranchers and Hatters don’t need to accept this budget.”
Independent MLA Drew Barnes has criticized the government for increasing program spending when he says tax cuts, specifically the elimination of the small business tax rate, should be the priority.
Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita said spending in the budget is too vague and misses the mark.
“Budget 2023 is increasing spending by more than $8 billion from (fiscal year of) 2021-22 but does not provide any significant results,” he wrote in the party’s response, critiquing as well the exclusion of UCP priority programs of creating a new provincial police force, pension plan and well clean-up program.
“This highlights the UCP’s lack of clarity and transparency around this significant expense.”
