Premier Rachel Notley gave Albertans a brief glimpse at the province's plan to create jobs and help families overcome the economic shock created by low oil prices last week.
Premier Rachel Notley gave Albertans a brief glimpse at the province's plan to create jobs and help families overcome the economic shock created by low oil prices last week.
"There is no doubt the oil price collapse is causing serious economic pain and it's a scary time for many families. I walk to talk directly to Albertans about what we're up against and walk them through our plan to get Alberta through this," said Notley.
She quickly touched upon the NDP's Alberta Jobs Plan, which is designed to create more jobs and diversity in the economy. The plan has four key components: supporting families and communities; investing in infrastructure; diversifying energy markets; and supporting Alberta business.
In order to help push the energy sector through the tough downturn, the government is planning on increasing capital dollars available for lending by the Alberta Treasury Branch by $1.5 billion. She also mentioned a five-year $34 billion plan to build new schools, hospitals, roads and transit throughout Alberta, the details of which will be revealed when the budget comes out later this week.
"In the budget, we will be making significant new announcements aimed at supporting business to create jobs and diversify our economy," said Notley.
The vague announcement outlining the government's plan to move the province forward comes on the heels of the Wildrose's release of a 12-point Jobs Action Plan. Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr is pleased that some of the NDP's plan involved suggestions brought forth by his party.
"They are starting to actually look at other options, which are options that are being put forward by the Wildrose. They are common sense options and they will end up helping out our constituency," said Cyr.
Cutting the small businesses corporate tax, a move proposed by the Wildrose, is something that Notley and the NDP government are looking into. They have also voiced their opinion on the importance of getting a new pipeline built, something the Wildrose have been adamant at arguing for.
The Wildrose plan includes delaying the carbon tax pending an economic analysis, investing in infrastructure, maximizing the use of existing federal programs, delaying proposed electricity grid changes, fighting for pipelines and injecting short-term stimulus into the energy sector.
"The fact is that Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is sitting on quite a bit of money right now. It is time for that money to start going back to Alberta businesses where it came from. It would be nice to see that start going back to the small business, as any little bit helps them," said Cyr.
More details on exactly how the NDP government plans to stimulate the economy and assist struggling families will be revealed when the 2016 budget gets tabled on April 14.
Cyr is hoping that some of that help might come to the Bonnyville-Cold Lake region, which has been hit hard by the low price of oil.
"I did hear (Notley) specifically mention that they where looking at exploring diversification in northern Alberta, so if that pans out to be something I will for sure be making sure that the municipalities across our riding understand it and are all over it," said Cyr.
