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Alberta seeks public input into budget with invite-only meetings

Last Updated Jan 10, 2017 at 6:30 am MDT

EDMONTON – The Alberta government says it wants to hear from the public before it finishes putting together its upcoming budget.

But a Finance Department spokesman says members of the legislature will be inviting people to the meetings to be held in Edmonton, Stony Plain, Vegreville, Grande Prairie, Fairview, Red Deer, Redwater, Calgary and Medicine Hat.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci says there will be no new major spending in the financial plan that is expected to be tabled in March.

Ceci says that the government, still faced with soft oil prices, is looking for ideas on how it can cut spending without affecting key programs.

He says public meetings are to be held in nine communities this month and there will be a telephone call-in meeting that will include Premier Rachel Notley.

  • Jan. 9 – Edmonton
  • Jan. 10 – Stony Plain
  • Jan. 11 – Vegreville
  • Jan. 16 – Grande Prairie and Fairview
  • Jan. 17 – Red Deer
  • Jan. 18 – Redwater
  • Jan. 20 – Calgary
  • Jan. 23 – Medicine Hat
  • Jan. 30 & 31 – telephone town halls

People are also being urged to send in ideas online until Feb. 3.

Ceci says the government is still forecasting a $10.8-billion deficit for the current fiscal year that ends March 31.