Ag shares in Alberta budget cuts

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EDMONTON, Alta. — Agriculture was not left untouched in the provincial budget with increased taxes, a loss of 40 jobs and a $16 million budget cut, but its core services will remain intact, said Associate agriculture minister Everett McDonald.

“I think we have a very balanced approach to our budget. We are in very difficult times right now and I think all of Albertans know we need to step forward and do our part. Our core programming is sound and we will continue to use as many tools as we can to help Albertans especially expanding our rural economy,” said McDonald.

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Forty positions will be eliminated in Alberta’s agriculture ministry and agricultural financial services corporation.

Nine AFSC offices will be closed reducing the number of offices from 55 to 46 and 17 positions eliminated.

The agriculture department will lose 23 staff in offices across the province.

The fuel tax was increased four cents a litre to 13 cents/litre after the budget was released.

The Farm Fuel benefit and tax exemption fuel use program will be capped at 9 cents a litre.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency will have their budget cut $4.8 million to $32 million.

The two largest agriculture societies Northlands and the Calgary Stampede will each have their budgets cut by $2 million. The other regional agricultural society budgets were untouched.

Al Kemmere, president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties said they were “relatively happy” with the budget, especially the government’s decision not to cut Municipal Sustainability Initiative grants they use for infrastructure funding.

“We were expecting a harder line budget than that,” said Kemmere.

“From a rural municipalities point of view, we’re always looking for more funding for our bridges and our roads,” said Kemmere, who said they will continue to advocate for money to repair and maintain roads and bridges.