Budget

I’d encourage all of you to pay attention to the provincial budget discussions in the news over the next few weeks.   Typically post-secondary institutions receive a 2% increase in funding from the gov’t each year; however, we anticipate we’ll be fortunate to get a 0% increase for 13-14.  This means that decisions will be very focused on doing what’s most important.   Things, such as the price of a barrel of oil, are significantly impacting the current economy in Alberta and consequently will impact the budget that will be announced on March 7. 

 When you have a few minutes, it's worth listening to the following two short newscasts on this impact:

• The impact that the price for a barrel of oil is having on the Alberta economy, and in our context, more specifically on funding for post secondary institutions.   To learn more about this, listen to these news reports (sent by Peter L.):

 

• Doug Horner and Ken Hughes on Alberta oil revenue and provincial debt

• U of A Economist Richard Dixon on the valuing protocol of Alberta Oil

And then pay attention to the budget announcements on March 7 as decisions made at this level will certainly impact our budget here at the college.