Survey says: Albertans understand budget challenge
Results from government’s online budget survey are now available and show Albertans want a balanced approach to Budget 2015.
The online Budget 2015 survey received 40,513 responses, which demonstrate a wide range of opinions with several clear themes.
- Nine out of 10 respondents feel low oil prices will greatly or somewhat affect the Alberta government’s ability to budget. (Question 1)
- Nine out of 10 respondents feel government needs to take action either immediately or within this year. (Question 3)
- When asked what is the right balance to respond to the drop in revenue, Albertans were split almost evenly three ways between reducing spending, increasing revenue and running a deficit budget. (Question 6)
“Albertans have been paying attention and they understand government needs to make tough decisions to deal with our fiscal situation. I want to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Budget 2015 will reflect the balanced and thoughtful approach Albertans have signaled they want. Government understands it can’t move too hard in any direction without risking further economic damage.”
When asked how the province can stabilize revenue, the top three choices from Albertans were raising tobacco taxes, increasing corporate taxes and introducing a graduated personal tax rate. (Question 9)
"Right now, businesses are struggling to keep people working. We have seen thousands of jobs lost already this year and people are worried about their jobs. Increasing the corporate tax actually hurts the overall economy and puts jobs at risk - we will not do that. Budget 2015 will be fair and balanced as we protect working families and the most vulnerable."
Responses were about evenly split between north and south, with seven out of 10 responses coming from the greater Calgary and Edmonton regions. The majority of respondents have lived in Alberta between 11 and 41 years.
The Budget 2015 survey ran from February 5-28 and paper copies were mailed to Albertans on request. Results areavailable online and through the Open Data Portal.
In addition to the survey, various members of government, including Premier Jim Prentice, participated in a 26-stop speaking tour across Alberta that ran from early January to early March. Roughly 2,000 people attended the various events. In early December and January, Minister Campbell met with chief economists from various financial institutions and also hosted several meetings with stakeholders across Alberta.
Alberta’s budget will be released on March 26, and for the first time will be presented in a fully consolidated fiscal format supported by the Auditor General. Also for the first time, Budget 2015 will have a five-year detailed fiscal and capital plans within the context of a 10-year vision that will help Albertans see the fiscal outlook for the province.
http://finance.alberta.ca/publications/budget/budget2015/Budget-2015-Consultation-Report.pdf
6 comments:
Speaking of surveys, we are getting surveyed out the wazoo re things like the logo and now a bike park in Bellevue...why hasn't there been any information gathering about Rum Runner Days? Apparently it's a go but there hasn't been any formal announcement nor has there been a peep from council. Can we, as citizens of this community, at least get some kind if confirmation about what's going on? Are the fireworks happening? And if so, where do I fill out the survey to say I don't want them at ISS field in Blairmore?
Hello? Anyone?
I do hope in this era of budget challenges and fiscal restraint that no taxpayer's money will be spent on fireworks. No desire to watch hard earned money go up in smoke.
I hope council will think long and hard about this.
Dean, can anyone sit in on the in camera session or is it just for the council??
Council is giving $30,000 for this 10 minute firework show. No wonder they are trying to keep this under the radar.
At this point we have an "Events Committee" that is working on this. They have not come back to us yet with any proposal.
The In Camera sessions are not public, those that sit in there are usually council, relevant administration and the individuals/group that is coming to council. They must be an issue that has either a Land, legal or labour issue. No motions can be made In Camera, council has to come out of In Camera and make motions which are then part of the public record.
Can you explain to me why only certain individuals/group that is coming to council are allowed in camera. I do not understand why they are allowed there to make a presentation that the general public can not here. Why is it so secretive? Is this not what we were complaining about from the last council?
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