Alberta Prosperity

Don’t Spend Away the Windfall: Better Options for Alberta’s Unexpected Revenues

— Feb 9, 2023

Don’t Spend Away the Windfall: Better Options for Alberta’s Unexpected Revenues is a new study that finds when resource revenues have increased in the past, previous governments have increased spending, which led to sizeable deficits when resource revenues declined—making this an ample opportunity for Alberta to strengthen the province's finances and economy for the long-term.

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Alberta, 2021

— Nov 8, 2022

Comparing Government and Private Sector Compensation in Alberta, 2021 is a new study that finds even after adjusting for differences such as age, gender, education, tenure, type of work, industry, and occupation, government employees are still paid 5.6 per cent higher wages on average in Alberta compared to their private sector counterparts, in addition to many non-wage benefits such as Registered Pension Plans, personal leave, and early retirement.

Alberta Premiers and Government Spending

— Aug 3, 2022

Alberta Premiers and Government Spending finds that from 1965 to 2020, the highest level of per-person provincial government spending (adjusted for inflation) in Alberta occurred in 2017—three years before the pandemic.

What Changed in Alberta from the Fall 2021 Mid-year Update to Budget 2022

— May 12, 2022

What Changed in Alberta from the Fall 2021 Mid-year Update to Budget 2022 is a new study that finds following a windfall in resource revenue, the recent Alberta budget increased program spending by $4 billion over the next three years. This increase in spending is above and beyond what would be required to keep pace with inflation and population growth.

Four Myths about Economic Diversification in Alberta

— Mar 10, 2022

Four Myths about economic diversification in Alberta is a new study that finds despite misperceptions, oil and gas production in the province does not dominate economic activity or employment in Alberta to the point that the provincial economy is notably less diversified than other provinces. In fact, with respect to employment, Alberta’s was the most diversified provincial economy in Canada in 2020.

A New Fiscal Framework for Alberta

— Feb 3, 2022

A New Fiscal Framework for Alberta is a new study that finds rather than use precarious resource revenue to support high spending in Alberta, the Alberta Sustainability Fund (ASF) should be reintroduced and have contributions to the Heritage fund renewed to ensure long-term financial stability in the province.

Recent Alberta Prosperity Commentaries and Blog Posts

Alberta government increased program spending by more than $10 billion

Tegan Hill, Ben Eisen

The government increased projected nominal program spending by $10.1 billion since the fiscal update last fall.

Alberta’s ‘new fiscal framework’ requires constitutional change to make it last

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Hub, March 16, 2023

All resource revenue is typically included in the budget, creating volatility in provincial finances.

Alberta government spent more than $22 billion on corporate welfare

Tegan Hill, Joel Emes

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, March 15, 2023

The costs included agricultural subsidies and tax credits for natural gas drilling.

More than 70% of Albertans feel the average family is over-taxed

Jake Fuss, Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, March 8, 2023

A majority of respondents in the province believe the average family should pay 25 per cent or less of its income in total taxes.

Alberta’s new spending rule—the good, the bad and the ugly

Ben Eisen, Jake Fuss

The province’s current spending levels greatly exceed its tax revenues.

Alberta government wastes generational opportunity to restore provincial finances

Tegan Hill

Appeared in National Newswatch, March 3, 2023

If it held the line on spending, the government could have run a $6.7 billion surplus in 2023/24.

Smith government takes one step forward two steps back in Budget 2023

Tegan Hill, Milagros Palacios

Program spending is projected to be $4.2 billion higher in 2023/24 than budgeted just a few months ago.

Resource revenue rescued Alberta—time for spending restraint

Ben Eisen, Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, February 27, 2023

It would be irresponsible for the Smith government to repeat the mistakes of past governments.

Alberta government faces fundamental choice in upcoming budget

Tegan Hill

Appeared in the Edmonton Sun, February 22, 2023

Successive governments have perpetuated the boom-bust cycle of provincial finances.

Alberta’s continued success depends on maintaining its housing advantage

Josef Filipowicz, Steve Lafleur

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, February 15, 2023

Calgary's rental vacancy rate for purpose-built rental units fell from 5.1 per cent to 2.7 per cent.