Spring has officially arrived and with it comes longer days, the first green of the season and an end to winter hibernation. Spring has long been looked upon as a time of rejuvenation and new beginnings, and this holds true this year as well.

Highlights of the Budget 2004:: On March 24th, the 2004 Budget was tabled by the Hon. Patricia Nelson, Minister of Finance.

• Accumulated debt will be reduced by another $1 billion to $2.7 billion by the end of 2005-06.
• This is Alberta's eleventh consecutive balanced budget.
• Health and Wellness program spending will increase by 8.4 % to $8 billion in 2004/05.
• Learning program spending will increase by 5.7 % to $5.3 billion in 2004/05.
• The 2004/07 Capital Plan will directly support $6.5 billion in capital projects.
• Provincial support for policing will increase by $58 million or 50 % to $174 million in 2004/05.
• $13 million has been set aside in 2004/05 to begin shifting governance and funding responsibility for ground ambulance services from municipalities to health regions. In 2005/06, funding will increase to $55 million per year.
• Indexing of Alberta's 10 % single-rate personal income tax system against inflation will continue in 2004, saving Albertans about $150 million.
• Effective April 1, 2004 the general corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 12.5 % to 11.5 % and the small business rate will be cut from 4 % to 3 %, saving Alberta businesses $142 million in 2004/05.
• School property tax rates will be cut by about 2.3 %, saving Albertans and Alberta businesses about $20 million.
• Alberta's economic growth is expected to increase to 3.6 % in 2004.
• 42,700 new jobs are expected in 2004.
• Funding by Alberta Infrastructure of $598 million for operations, $298 million for preservation and $528 million for expansion.
• About $11 million will be added to fund expected increases in the number of eligible seniors under the Alberta Seniors Benefit and the full-year cost of assistance with the August 1, 2003 increase in long-term care accommodation rates. Another $10 million will be added to seniors' funding. Details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced in the near future. The Lodge Assistance Program, which subsidizes lodge accommodation rents for lower to middle-income seniors, will also be increased by $1.5 million to ensure rents remain affordable to these seniors. Also within the 2004/05 budget, $51 million has been allocated to the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Program, an increase of $10 million over last year. The $51 million is composed of $25.6 million in new provincial funding to be matched by federal funding. Over the five-year agreement, the provincial and federal government will have each contributed $67 million to this joint initiative to increase the supply of affordable housing in the province.

Internet Provides Easy Way To Pay Traffic Fines:

Albertans will no longer have to rely on the mail or wait in line at provincial courthouses to pay their traffic fines. They now have the option of paying fines over the Internet. Users of the system can pay their tickets online using their ticket number and a credit card to complete the transaction. All transactions involve the same $7 registry agent service fee that is currently charged to customers who pay fines through registry agent offices. Alberta's registry agent system is unique in Canada and North America because it offers one-stop shopping for everything from motor vehicle registrations and driver licenses to birth or marriage certificates-and now Internet fine payment. The new Internet fine payment system can also be accessed at www.finepayment.gov.ab.ca

Alberta Seniors Week June 6-14, Alberta Seniors, Building and Contributing:

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all constituents to come together and celebrate the impact seniors have on the quality of life in Alberta. There are several seniors clubs, lodges and residences in the constituency who bring knowledge, strength, wisdom and vitality to each of their communities. In celebration of their contributions, I would encourage everyone to take time to share with a senior their lifetime of experiences and contributions.
See Alana's past Newsletters

Should you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at:

Consituency Office (Calgary):   Edmonton: Toll-Free:

(403) 216-5400 (780) 415-9459 310-0000