[LINK] "The Alberta NDP vs. budget reality"

[rfmcdonald]

Jason Markusoff of MacLean's looks at the awkward position of the new NDP government in Alberta at this time of recession in the oïlpatch.

Last month, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and her team drew 600 people to a $250-a-head fundraiser in Calgary, a city where “dozens” used to be a respectable turnout for her party’s events. The crowd was dotted with business lobbyists—read: former Tory government aides—who wished more elected members wore name tags. They played an increasingly popular game at Alberta functions: is that a government MLA, or just some guy in an ill-fitting suit?

Notley’s speech drew healthy applause, even if she seemed unconvinced she deserved it all. “Our party, the New Democratic Party of Alberta, has taken on an enormous responsibility in stepping up to government in these times, and you know what? I think so far we’re not doing that bad a job,” the premier said. Cue the claps and hoots. “Okay. It’s arguable I might have asked for that applause just a little bit,” she added.

There’s reason for Notley to feel unworthy of such acclaim. In fact, she downgraded her assessment to “not bad” from the “pretty good” her speechwriter had scripted. Her government in October dropped a $6.1-billion budget deficit, and the first full-year NDP fiscal plan in spring may not be any prettier. That’s predominantly thanks to the ugliest oil price rout in a generation, which also prompted tens of thousands of Alberta layoffs and likely more throughout 2016. It’s hard to blame the recession on the NDP’s would-have-done-them-anyway moves like hiking corporate taxes, reviewing oil and gas royalties and the massive overhaul of emissions rules. It’s easier to say that a combination of them hasn’t helped with business confidence in the young government.