Alberta government to table budget Feb. 26 as deficit pressures mount

The Alberta government says it will present its next provincial budget on February 26, warning that deteriorating financial conditions will make the process difficult.

Finance Minister Nate Horner says lower oil prices and ongoing global economic uncertainty are putting strain on provincial revenues, forcing the government to make what he described as tough choices. Alberta’s economy remains closely tied to energy markets, making budget planning vulnerable to swings in commodity prices.

The province is currently projecting a 6.4 billion dollar deficit by the end of the fiscal year in March. That marks a sharp reversal from the previous year, when Alberta posted a surplus of 8.3 billion dollars amid stronger energy revenues.

The upcoming budget is expected to outline how the government plans to manage spending while addressing pressures on public services such as health care, education and infrastructure. Opposition parties have previously argued that fiscal decisions should better protect front-line services during economic downturns.