1993
Ralph Klein announces a four-year plan to balance the budget by eliminating the government's $3.4-billion deficit by 1997.
It becomes law in The Deficit Elimination Act which calls for $700 million in cuts in each of the first two years of the plan.
The budget calls for 4.7 per cent in spending cuts totalling $942 million. Health care is cut by 2.9 per cent.
1994-1995
This is a budget of massive cuts. Education spending drops 12.2 per cent, totalling $251 million. Health care is cut by $287 million. Hospitals and schools are closed. Teachers and nurses are laid off.
Welfare rates are reduced by 20 per cent. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) payments are slashed by 40 per cent.
By the end of 1995, nearly 50,000 Albertans are dropped from welfare, and unions estimate more than 10,000 public service employees lost their jobs.
Many social services are contracted out to non-governmental agencies, creating a wage disparity between government-employed workers and those who work for contract companies.
Treasurer Jim Dinning defends the cuts, saying the downsizing implemented since 1993 has reduced government spending by $918 million.
1996-1997
With nearly $3 billion cut from education, health care and social services, the government forecasts a surplus of $500 million.
Hospitals complain the cuts are so deep, they have to close beds. The government responds by cancelling some of its planned cuts to regional health authorities and gives money to Edmonton and Calgary hospitals.
The provincial government's demolition of the Calgary General Hospital in 1997, after the closure of the Holy Cross Hospital leaves Calgary without a downtown hospital.
This budget posts Alberta's first surplus in 12 years. Although program spending was cut, the government injects $25 million to social services for child welfare and the severely handicapped.
2002-2003
According to the Edmonton Social Planning Council, income support payments to those on social welfare has dropped 40 per cent between 1993 and 2002.
For the severely handicapped on assistance, AISH payments have increased 4.9 per cent in the last 10 years while inflation has jumped more than 28 per cent in that same time.
2004
Alberta becomes the first province to declare "debt-free" status. The government introduces energy rebates totalling $1.4 billion as well as tax cuts, a freeze on previous tuition hikes and the elimination of health care premiums for seniors.
In the midst of this renewed spending, Alberta's poor only get poorer. As Klein wins his fourth term as premier, Alberta has the lowest minimum wage in the country and some of the lowest social assistance rates.
Homeless shelters, food banks and soup kitchens are busier than ever. Residents of nursing homes stage public protests to complain about staff shortages and abysmal living conditions.
The government's own polling shows that most Albertans don't consider social service cuts to be a significant issue.
2005
Alberta's overheated economy creates labour shortages and increased service demands.
Social service agencies lose staff to other higher-paying jobs and struggle with increased demand for their services.
A study by the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations finds 80 per cent of programs in the city are underfunded.
2006
A study by the Alberta Council of Disability Services finds 40 per cent of staff at community agencies quit in 2005.
The province responds with an $18-million increase in salaries, $2-million increase in operating costs and $2-million training bursary for leadership development.
2007
August - A coalition of social service agencies launches a campaign called "Who Cares? Alberta," calling for an immediate increase in funding and a three-year social infrastructure plan.
November - The government announces $26.1 million from contingency funding to help social service agencies cope with the labour shortage and worker burnout. This amounts to an increase of 4.5 per cent, while agencies were asking for a 20-per-cent jump with a commitment to annual increases in line with inflation.
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