2015 Provincial Budget Announced

On March 26 the provincial government announced their new budget.  It featured cuts to some areas, fees, and tax increases for individuals but held the line on corporate taxes. Funding for infrastructure projects has been reduced from the 2014 budget but the government did announce a five year funding plan.

The 2015 budget cut $200 million for the fiscal year 2015-2016 from the previous capital budget estimate.  The overall decline in capital spending is a cut in real terms which the ACA is concerned about.  Further, as more money is allocated to maintenance, then less money is available to support new infrastructure to meet population growth.

One piece of good news for our future workforce is that there are new and improved funding options for apprentices coming.

In comments from Minister Bhullar in a meeting with the ACA and other associations he committed to the current plan on schools, including the Province’s timeline in place for either opening new schools or upgrading others.

You can view the documents and watch the announcement here.