Well, the Government of Alberta rolled out next year's budget, and they're running a multibillion dollar deficit. I suppose advanced education should feel fortunate that they are "only" facing a 0 percent increase, even though we all know that's going to mean another round of cuts at our poorly run university. However, to me the bigger issue is the underlying source of the red ink: lowered revenue. Two directors from the Parkland Institute offered a pointed analysis of how things like rendering permanent the criminally low revised royalty scheme imposed last year have led to the present situation. In effect, all of the services that are being starved in the budget are helping to subsidize the oil patch, when oil is going for $100/barrel.
This should be viewed in the context of what's going on down south. There is a concerted push underway to abrogate the social contract that has been in operation for decades (a living wage, affordable education and health care, some semblance of a safety net), in order to orchestrate a massive wealth transfer to corporations and the top 1% of individuals. As long as there is no danger of being voted out, this government will continue on its present course, and we will continue our move towards serfdom.
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