At a Glance - February 27, 2024
Early Start to Wildfire Season Declared
Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen declared an early start to the 2024 wildfire season ten days earlier than the usual start of March 1. The early declaration comes in the face of low snowpacks and forecasts of dry weather to come, similar to last year’s hot temperatures.
Loewen said his department is asking for enough extra funding in the budget to hire an additional 100 firefighters; if that request is approved, they will be in the field on May 15. Currently, there are 900 firefighters the province fielded in 2023 that will be ready by April 15.
A total of 55 new fires, as well as those remaining from last year, continue to burn in the province.
Funding Announced for Medical First Responders
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced a $3.75M funding boost to expand the medical first responder (MFR) program operating out of fire departments across Alberta.
According to LaGrange, the new funds, which will be dispersed to more than 200 agencies, will be split, “$1.35 million is to now include medium and large agencies, and the $2.5 million is actually a dedicated funding pool to make sure they have the dollars they need to run the operations they have.” The province says the monetary boost should help stabilize some pressures facing first responders.
Income Tax Cut Delayed
Premier Smith announced that personal tax cuts promised by the UCP in the 2023 election would have to wait a year.
The promised tax cut would have created a lower income tax bracket for below $60,000. The party estimated that Albertans earning more than $60,000 would save $760 a year, and those earning less than $60,000 would see a 30% reduction in their tax bill.
The announcement that the income tax cut would be delayed came amid Premier Smith’s pre-budget address. In addition to announcing the delay, Smith also covered plans to reduce strain on the Alberta treasury by rebuilding Alberta’s sovereign wealth fund to the point that it can sustain government spending.
Calgary and Alberta Lead Inflation
Statistics Canada’s latest consumer price index report found that while the national inflation rate cooled to 2.8% in January, Alberta’s inflation rate rose to 3.4%.
The report attributed Alberta’s increase to the 119.9% jump in electricity prices compared with January 2023. Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist with Alberta Central, said the doubling of electricity prices in the data is because of a “base effect” following a government-imposed cap on electricity rates last year.
Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf said the province expects inflation to slow this year despite the increased rate in January. “We are working to provide stronger price protections to help Albertans,” Neudorf said in a statement. “This includes reviewing all aspects of Alberta’s electricity system, looking for long-term solutions to help lower Albertan’s utility bills.” According to Neudorf, Albertans can also expect an updated inflation forecast when the government tables its budget next week.
Six Rural Communities Sign Housing Deal With Federal Government
Through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), the Government of Canada has reached agreements with the Towns of Banff, Sylvan Lake, Bow Island, Westlock, Smoky Lake, and the Village of Duchess to build more than 400 homes over the next three years.
Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Sean Fraser said that between the six communities, more than $13.8M will be spent with the goal of eliminating barriers to building housing.