A surplus, health spending and student spots: Highlights of the Alberta budget

EDMONTON – Finance Minister Travis Toews tabled Alberta’s 2022 budget on Thursday and for the first time in years the province is out of the red. Here are some highlights:

— A $500-million budget surplus, the first since 2015, with small surpluses expected in following two years.

— Forecast revenues of $62.6 billion and expenses of $62.1 billion.

— A forecast of $13.8 billion in non-renewable resource revenue.

— Projected real GDP growth of 5.4 per cent.

— $600 million more on health spending, rising in following years, to add intensive care beds, expand hospitals, hire more physicians and nurses.

— $171 million over three years to increase spots for post-secondary students in high demand areas, including high-tech, finance, energy, engineering, health care and aviation.

— $191 million over three years for curriculum updates to kindergarten to Grade 12 in all subject areas.

— Natural gas rebates for consumers to start Oct. 1 to help those facing high utility bills. To be triggered when natural gas rates rise above $6.50 a gigajoule.

— $390 million over four years to increase internet broadband connectivity, particularly for rural and remote areas.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2022.