News Releases 2012
News releases, minister's statements and information bulletins
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Alberta’s second quarter sees economic growth, spending restraint and lower than expected resource revenues
November 28, 2012
Edmonton... Alberta’s second quarter results show that the province is holding the line on spending while delivering on priorities Albertans expect, while lower than forecast resource revenue continued to have an impact on the bottom line. The province’s population continued to grow with 95,000 new Albertans expected to move to Alberta this year.
- Complete news release
- 2012-13 Second Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement
- Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund 2012-13 Second Quarter Update
- Audio Clips - Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance:
See below for charts included in news release (click for a larger version):
Results-based budgeting process enters new phase
November 7, 2012
Public challenge panel members named
Edmonton... Thirty-one Albertans will participate in challenge panels created to help evaluate Alberta government results-based budgeting program reviews. The results-based budgeting process includes a three-year review of all government programs and services to ensure they align with the outcomes Albertans have identified as priorities. Read the news release and click here for more information.
Bill 10 improves pension legislation for private sector
October 25, 2012
Alberta businesses and employees will benefit from access to modern, flexible pension plans
Edmonton... The Alberta government has introduced the Employment Pension Plans Act, which will give the private sector the ability to more easily develop pension plans that meet the needs of employers and employees. Read the news release.
Research and innovation to benefit from tax credit changes
October 23, 2012
Edmonton... Changes to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit included in the new Corporate Tax Amendment Act will enhance annual benefits to Alberta research companies by $25 million per year. Read the news release.
Albertans to have their say on priorities for Budget 2013
October 3, 2012
Multiple ways to take part – in person, online and with a budget app coming soon
Edmonton... The province is asking Albertans for specific priorities they would like to see in next year’s provincial budget.
“This year, there are so many ways for people to participate in the development of Budget 2013,” said President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Doug Horner. “I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to have their say. It’s important that the budget reflects the values and priorities of the majority of Albertans.”
Click on the thumbnails for high resolution photos:
Bonnyville open house - October 10, 2012: |
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Drumheller open house - October 9, 2012: |
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Horner to showcase Alberta investment opportunities in New York and Toronto
September 19, 2012
Edmonton... Promoting Alberta as a destination for business and investment opportunities will be the focus when President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Doug Horner travels to New York and Toronto September 23-28.
- Complete news release and itinerary
- Read Minister Horner’s keynote address to investors at conference in New York (September 25, 2012)
Albertans have their say on new rules for the province's financial decisions
September 10, 2012
Edmonton... The Alberta government is asking Albertans to help set the boundaries for spending, saving and funding infrastructure through a public consultation called Dollars and Sense.
“Delivering on Premier Redford's commitment, I will be leading a conversation about the government's financial planning to ensure that decisions are in line with Albertans' priorities,” said Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister of Finance. “Dollars and Sense delivers on this commitment – I hope people take the opportunity to share their opinions about how we can shape our province’s future prosperity.”
Global market uncertainty impacting Alberta’s fiscal picture
August 30, 2012
Edmonton... Government is taking action to control in-year spending because of ongoing market volatility and lower than expected revenues.
- Complete news release
- Audio clip: President of Treasury Board and Finance Minister Doug Horner on the 2012-13 First Quarter Fiscal Update (24:33)
- 2012-13 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement
- Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund 2012-13 First Quarter Update
- See below for charts included in news release (click for a larger version):
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Strengthening economy, responsible decision-making highlight
2011-12
June 28, 2012
Mindful spending, increased resource revenues and better-than-expected investment income
improve province’s bottom line
Edmonton... Albertans benefited from more schools, increased access to health care and improved services for seniors and the vulnerable last year while maintaining a healthy bottom line through increased revenue and disciplined spending. Click on the links below for:
- complete news release and backgrounders:
- Government of Alberta 2011-12 Annual Report
- 2011-12 Heritage Fund Annual Report
- 2011-12 Ministry Annual Reports
Press conference photos - June 28, 2012
Click on the thumbnails for high resolution photos of Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance:
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Press conference audio clips - June 28, 2012
Doug Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance speaks about:
- Benefit of fiscal responsibility (00:27)
- Keeping commitments (00:34)
- Remaining cautious (00:24)
Premier sets priorities for Cabinet and caucus
June 21, 2012
Premier Alison Redford outlined her expectations of government in serving Albertans so all can reach their full potential.
“We have a clear mandate to change how government works so that it better reflects Albertans’ needs and the realities of the province in today’s world,” said Premier Redford. “We have a positive plan to focus on the things that matter most to Albertans and we will exceed their expectations.” See the news release, and view the mandate letters for:
New Cabinet team focused on growing Alberta's future
May 8, 2012
The new Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance is part of Premier Redford's strategy to take action on Albertans' priorities. Key responsibilities include:
- spending management and budget planning;
- results based budgeting - comprehensive review of all programs and services;
- strategic capital planning;
- tax policy and administration;
- analyzing economic and financial trends and forecasting Alberta’s economic picture;
- accounting standards and financial reporting, financial management and control policies and performance planning and reporting;
- regulating insurance, pensions, financial institutions and Alberta’s capital market;
- agency governance; and
- Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Read the details in the news release.
New funding for Productivity Alberta helps businesses work better, faster and stronger
March 19, 2012
Alberta businesses will get a $10.3 million productivity boost thanks to funding for Productivity Alberta, provided by the Government of Alberta and Western Economic Diversification Canada. Read news release.
New marking system makes it easier to detect illegal tobacco products
March 9, 2012
Starting April 1, packages of cigarettes, tobacco sticks and fine cut tobacco will feature a new red-coloured Alberta stamp to show consumers that the products are legal. Read information bulletin.
New Alberta stamp (effective April 1, 2012):
Construction proceeds on hundreds of projects and thousands of kilometres of road over the next three years
February 27, 2012
$16.5-billion investment supports Alberta's quality of life and economic growth. Construction of schools, health care facilities, other public infrastructure and more than 1100 kilometres of roads this year will support economic growth in Alberta and Albertans’ high quality of life. Read news release.
Budget 2012 invests in families, communities and supports for the vulnerable
February 9, 2012
The Government of Alberta is following through on its commitment to Albertans by responsibly investing in programs that support Albertans’ quality of life without raising taxes and positioning the province to balance the budget by 2013-14. Read news release.
Other Budget 2012 news releases:
- Health investments deliver on Albertans’ priorities
- From kindergarten to post-secondary, Alberta’s education systems receive predictable funding
- Budget 2012 provides close to $5 billion in supports for vulnerable Albertans and seniors
- For more information, visit the Budget
2012 website.
Liepert travels to U.S. and Toronto to highlight investment opportunities in Alberta
February 8, 2012
Finance Minister Ron Liepert will travel to New York, Boston and Toronto to share details about Alberta’s budget and fiscal position with major investors and promote business and investment opportunities here in Alberta. Read news release.
New budgeting approach to enhance fiscal discipline
February 1, 2012
Government to begin comprehensive review of programs and services. The Alberta government will demonstrate its leadership in fiscal discipline by implementing results-based budgeting.
