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Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development
The 2004-05 budget of $35.7 million
is a slight increase over the 2003-04 forecast of $35.3 million.
Beginning with the 2004-05 budget, an additional $2 million per
year has been added to assist First Nations with their capacity
to fully participate in the development of the government's consultation
policy and other Aboriginal initiatives.
For information, contact Jay
O’Neill (780) 415-0876.
Agriculture, Food and Rural
Development
Total Ministry spending for 2004-05
is budgeted at $908 million, compared to the 2003-04 forecast of
$1,628 million. Last year's forecast includes $776 million in one-time
disaster spending, including federal transfers, related to BSE.
Budget 2004 provides additional improvements
to risk management programs and continued implementation of the
Agricultural Policy Framework, which will be partially offset by
federal contributions. The budget is expected to exceed $1 billion
in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
For information, contact the
Alberta Ag Media Line (780) 422-1005.
Children's Services
The Ministry's 2004-05 budget is $742
million, up $33 million from the 2003-04 forecast. By 2006-07, Children's
Services will spend $784 million. The 2004-05 budget invests $78
million toward caring for children with disabilities, $20 million
toward the prevention of family violence, $8 million toward resources
that support parents in giving their children a healthy start in
life and $6 million toward stopping the sexual exploitation of children.
Regional Child and Family Services
Authorities’ spending will increase $9 million from last year
for delivery of quality services for children, youth and families
across Alberta. Family and Community Support Services’ spending
will also increase by $3 million in 2004-05 to address population
growth across the province and delivery of services to more municipalities.
For information, contact Lorelei
Fiset-Cassidy (780) 427-4801.
Community Development
Community Development's program expense
in 2004-05 will be $691 million, an increase of 7.8 per cent or
$50 million from 2003-04. Spending for Persons with Developmental
Disabilities (PDD) will increase $25 million or 5.6 per cent in
2004-05, rising from $443 million to $468 million to provide for
growth in the number of PDD recipients and other cost increases.
An additional $30 million is being
provided for Alberta's 2005 Centennial and includes $26 million
for Centennial Legacy and Partnership Grant. As well, $6 million
will be spent for recognition, awareness and celebratory activities
including a Royal Visit in the Centennial year.
The Ministry capital investment budget
includes an additional $21 million to be spent over three years
for upgrading Alberta's provincial parks. Of this $21 million, $16
million will be used to repair and upgrade water and sewage treatment
facilities as part of the government's Water for Life strategy.
For information, contact Kathy
Telfer (780) 427-2395.
Economic Development
The Ministry's 2004-05 budget will
be $57.5 million. This reflects ongoing funding for tourism marketing
and development, which will be increased to $24 million to help
Alberta's tourism industry increase our share of the tourism market.
Tourism marketing will continue to
be improved and further growth and expansion of marketable tourism
products will be encouraged. In addition, the Ministry will focus
on providing strategic economic leadership and business intelligence;
industry and regional development, trade promotion and investment
attraction; and tourism marketing and development. The department
will lead the government's new economic development strategy, Securing
Tomorrow's Prosperity, a market driven value-added strategy with
a long-term vision to upgrade primary resources, expand manufacturing,
develop business services and foster growth in Alberta's knowledge-based
sectors.
For information, contact Mark
Erdman (780) 427-0528.
Energy
Spending for 2004-05 is $191 million,
a decrease of $7 million from 2003-04. The decrease is due primarily
to a forecast reduction in orphan well abandonment activities.
For information, contact Gordon
Vincent (780) 422-3667.
Environment
In 2004-05, the Ministry's program
expense will approach $125 million, a slight increase from 2003-04.
However, the one-time cost of about $6 million of the Western Irrigation
District Agreement will not continue in 2004-05.
An additional $15 million – or
$5 million per year over the next three years – has been provided
starting in 2004-05 for implementation of the Water for Life strategy.
This initial investment will be used for improving Alberta’s
drinking water supply, enhancing water management and watershed
planning, developing evaluation and information support, and establishing
water advisory councils, among other activities. In addition, over
the next three years, the Ministry will have capital investment
of $9 million to expand its network of water monitoring stations
across the province.
A total of $6 million is budgeted in
2004-05 for initiatives related to implementing Alberta’s
action plan on climate change, and ongoing support for Climate Change
Central. Funding for Alberta’s Climate Change Action Plan
will increase to $13 million in 2005-06, including funding from
Innovation and Science.
For information, contact Val
Mellesmoen (780) 427-2848.
Executive Council
Executive Council's budget for 2004-05
is $21 million, up from $19 million in 2003-04. This increase is
primarily for the recently formed Office of the Chief Internal Auditor.
For information, contact Gordon
Turtle (780) 427-9229.
Finance
Ministry spending will be $438 million,
$5 million less than 2003-04. This decrease is due to an $8 million
reduction in interest costs of the Alberta Capital Finance Authority.
Spending increases totaling $3 million resulting from increased
pension payments due to cost of living increases and previously
deferred pensions being activated for the Closed Management Plan
partially offset the decrease.
For information, contact Jerry
Bellikka (780) 427-5364.
Gaming
Gaming's expenses in 2004-05 will
be $165 million, an increase of $19 million over 2003-04 mainly
for higher spending in Lottery-funded programs, including: an $8
million increase in the Racing Industry Renewal Initiative; a $5
million increase to charities from electronic bingo and keno proceeds;
a $2 million increase for various community projects; and a $4 million
increase for the First Nations Development Fund.
Gaming's expenses will grow to $201 million in 2005-06 due mainly
to a $36 million increase for the First Nations Development Fund
reflecting full year operations of First Nations casinos. Net revenue
from gaming and liquor operations is expected to increase to $1.7
billion in 2004-05, $57 million higher than 2003-04. Liquor and
other revenues are projected to remain flat.
For information, contact Marilyn
Carlyle-Helms (780) 447-8719.
Government Services
The 2004-05 budget for Government Services
will be $93 million, up $5 million from 2003-04. The increase is
mainly for the full-year operation of the Utilities Consumer Advocate’s
office and to address the customer service pressures facing land
titles.
For information, contact Ryan
Cromb (780) 415-6051.
Health and Wellness
Program expense for 2004-05 will reach
$8 billion, up $618 million or 8.4 per cent over 2003-04. Future
increases of 5.7 per cent and 3.8 per cent will bring Ministry spending
to almost $8.8 billion by 2006-07.
In 2004-05, health authorities will
receive an increase of 8.4 per cent or $390 million, accounting
for close to two-thirds of the total Ministry increase. Of this
increase, $38 million is for highly specialized, province-wide services
like cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, major organ transplants,
renal dialysis and psychogeriatric services. The other $352 million
is for increases in operating grants to health authorities, including
targeted funding for mental health services that will support treatment
and care. A new provincial mental health plan will strengthen services
for Albertans with mental illness.
An increase of $45 million will support
health reform to meet Albertans' needs in more collaborative and
innovative ways. This includes building Alberta's primary health
care capacity, expanding the Healthy U public education
campaign, and providing alternative funding for academic medicine.
It also includes $13 million to support transferring ground ambulance
services to health authorities, with annual funding to rise to $55
million in 2005-06.
An increase of $76 million is budgeted
largely for volume and cost increases of drug benefits to seniors.
As well, an increase of $67 million will be spent for Alberta's
tri-lateral agreement among government, physicians and health regions.
This covers fee increases and support to implement local primary
care. An increase of $40 million is also being spent largely to
meet increased costs for human tissue and blood products, ambulance
services, out-of-province health costs, AADAC, and Allied Health
Services like chiropractic, optometry, podiatry and oral surgery.
Also, the Ministry will have nearly $67 million in 2004-05 for capital
investment, largely for information technology systems such as the
Electronic Health Records and the Pharmaceutical Information Network.
For information, contact David Dear (780) 427-7164.
Human Resources and Employment
Ministry spending of just over $1.1
billion in 2004-05 includes $818 million to help people in need,
$285 million to help people train for work, and $23 million to help
keep workplaces safe, fair and stable. The 2004-05 budget is an
increase of $15 million over 2003-04. Further increases of $14 million
and $9 million are planned for 2005-06 and 2006-07. The additional
funding will address anticipated growth in program caseloads and
health benefit costs.
For information, contact Janice
Schroeder (780) 427-5585.
Infrastructure
Alberta Infrastructure's expense is
increasing by 6.6 per cent to over $1.5 billion in 2004-05. As well,
the Ministry's capital investment in 2004-05 will be $205 million,
an increase of $142 million over 2003-04. Highlights include funding
of $598 million for operations, $298 million for preservation and
$528 million for expansion.
For information, contact Mark
Cooper (780) 422-0506.
Innovation and Science
The 2004-05-program expense is $205
million, an increase of $16 million over 2003-04.
$33 million over three years, beginning
with $7 million in 2004-05 increasing to $15 million by 2006-07
will be used to support efforts to develop innovative ideas and
initiatives that improve service delivery to Albertans or encourage
innovation in the Alberta economy. The remaining increase is primarily
due to amortization of Alberta SuperNet starting in 2004-05.
The Ministry's 2004-05 capital investment
of $48 million is $14 million higher than
2003-04. While some 2003-04 capital investment in Alberta SuperNet
was deferred because of construction delays, SuperNet is expected
to be substantially complete in 2004-05.
For information, contact Glenn
Guenther (780) 427-0285.
International and Intergovernmental
Relations
Ministry spending will be approximately
$8.5 million in 2004-05, a $2 million increase from 2003-04. The
increase is for establishing and operating the new Alberta Office
in Washington, D.C., and for Alberta’s participation in the
Council of the Federation.
For information, contact Kathryn
Wiegers (780) 422-2465.
Justice
The Ministry's 2004-05 budget is approximately
$283 million, an increase of nearly $19 million or 7.1 per cent
from 2003-04. This includes increases for the Maintenance Enforcement
Program in 2004-05, Legal Aid, and traffic ticket processing.
For information, contact Michael
Shields (780) 427-8530.
Learning
Ministry program spending will reach
almost $5.3 billion, an increase of $284 million or 5.7 per cent
over 2003-04. By 2006-07, Ministry program spending will exceed
$5.7 billion, a three-year increase of $734 million or 14.7 per
cent. Combined with property tax support to school boards that opt
out of the Alberta School Foundation Fund, total support to the
learning system will exceed $5.9 billion by 2006-07, a three-year
increase of $763 million.
For information, contact Bart
Johnson (780) 427-5196.
Municipal Affairs
Program spending in 2004-05 is $123
million. This budget includes a reduction of $16.5 million that
is being reallocated from the existing Unconditional Municipal Grant
program to the Solicitor General's department for policing and continuation
of the ME First! program to provide $100 million in interest-free
loans to Alberta municipalities for energy efficiency improvements.
For information, contact Irwin
Huberman (780) 415-6121.
Revenue
Expense will be $162 million in 2004-05,
a net increase of $4 million from 2003-04.
In 2004-05, interest on corporate income
tax refund reassessments is expected to be $10 million less than
2003-04 as 2003-04 included the settlement of several major appeals.
Settlements are expected to return to more normal levels in 2004-05.
The Alberta Heritage Science and Engineering
Research Endowment Fund spending will increase in 2004-05 for increased
grants. In addition, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical
Research Endowment Fund will also provide increased grants for medical
innovation projects.
For information, contact Cathy
Housdorff (780) 422-4591.
Seniors
Program spending in 2004-05 of $429
million is $27 million higher than 2003-04. Adjusting for $14 million
of one-time spending in 2003-04 to address seniors' energy utilities
costs and housing agencies’ operations and maintenance costs,
the increase is $41 million.
About $11 million will be added to
fund expected increases in the number of eligible seniors under
the Alberta Seniors Benefit and the full-year cost of assistance
with the August 1, 2003 increase in long-term care accommodation
rates. Another $10 million will be added to seniors' funding. Details
of how this funding will be allocated will be announced in the near
future. The Lodge Assistance Program, which subsidizes lodge accommodation
rents for lower to middle-income seniors, will also be increased
by $1.5 million to ensure rents remain affordable to these seniors.
Also within the 2004-05 budget, $51
million has been allocated to the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing
Program, an increase of $10 million over last year. The $51 million
is composed of $25.6 million in new provincial funding to be matched
by federal funding. Over the five-year agreement, the provincial
and federal government will have each contributed $67 million to
this joint initiative to increase the supply of affordable housing
in the province.
For more information, contact
Jan Berkowski (780) 415-9950.
Solicitor General
Solicitor General's 2004-05 budget
is $346 million, an increase of over $62 million or 22.1 per cent
over 2003-04.
In 2004-05, $174 million will be provided
for policing programs, an increase of about $58 million from 2003-04.
This includes $16.5 million being transferred from the Unconditional
Municipal Grant program in Municipal Affairs. This increase supports
a new funding model for policing under which municipalities with
populations of 5,000 or less will no longer pay for policing. Municipalities
that pay for policing will receive a new $16 per capita grant to
assist with these costs. Costs of the new per capita grant program
are budgeted at $37 million in 2004-05.
For information, contact Peter
Tadman (780) 427-6153.
Sustainable Resource Development
Ministry's 2004-05 budget is nearly
$205 million. Last year's forecast includes $128 million in one-time
disaster spending for wildfire suppression. Aside from this and
some minor changes, base funding for Ministry programs remains relatively
unchanged from 2003-04.
For information, please contact
Donna Babchishin (780) 427-8636.
Transportation
The Ministry's expense for 2004-05
is over $1 billion, an increase of $166 million or 19 per cent from
2003-04. The Ministry's capital investment will be $501 million
in 2004-05, an increase of $94 million or 23 per cent from 2003-04.
The capital investment includes initial statutory funding of $24
million for the potential public-private partnership to build the
southeast portion of the Edmonton ring road. This overall increase
demonstrates the government's continued commitment to preserve and
improve Alberta's transportation network.
For information, contact Leanne
Stangeland (780) 415-1841.
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Go to Budget
2004 News Release or Backgrounders:
Go to Budget 2004 Documents:
For media inquiries, please contact:
(Dial 310-000 for toll free access
outside Edmonton.)
Jerry Bellikka
Director of Communications
Alberta Finance
(780) 427-5364
(780) 718-5699 cellular |
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