EDMONTON – Highlights of the Alberta 2013-14 budget presented Thursday:
— No increases in overall day-to-day spending, but revenue shortfall means a $2-billion deficit.
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— $4.3-billion in borrowing for roads, schools and hospitals.
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— Total revenue of $38.6 billion.
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— No new or increased taxes.
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— Health spending to increase by three per cent to $17.1 billion.
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— $2-billion in government operating grants to post-secondary institutions cut by almost seven per cent.
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— Expected resource revenue of $7.3 billion, half of what was originally expected, due to lower prices for oilsands bitumen.
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— New legislation to mandate that portion of non-renewable resource revenue be put into savings.
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— No layoffs planned beyond previously announced 480 government management positions.
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— No extra money for doctors, teachers, nurses or other government workers who are now in contract negotiations with the province.
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— Population expected to grow by 99,000 this year.
