Stepping up during tough times

By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

Albertans are known for stepping up when times are tough, and Budget 2026 reflects that same spirit. The Legislature has returned for the spring session with a budget built around a clear theme of focusing on what matters, responding to global uncertainty, rising costs, and rapid population growth with a steady, practical plan. It protects the services Albertans rely on, supports workers and families, and keeps our province strong through challenging economic conditions. 

Budget 2026 invests in what matters most, including major improvements to healthcare. It expands capacity with more hospital beds, more healthcare professionals, and better access to services. The budget makes a record $7.7 billion investment in physicians – a 22 per cent increase – to support recruitment, training, and compensation, including $7.3 billion for physician services and $450 million for recruitment and education. These investments strengthen primary care, support specialists and surgeons, and help manage growing patient needs across Alberta. Additional funding in surgical capacity, mental health and addiction care, continuing care, and diagnostic technology further improves access and supports frontline teams.

In education, our government is making the largest education investment in Alberta’s history to respond to rapid growth and rising classroom complexity. It provides $10.8 billion in operating funding – about $54 million per day – including support to hire 1,600 teachers and 800 support staff next year. Over three years, funding will grow to $11.5 billion, supporting more than 5,000 new staff. The budget also invests $1.8 billion for students with specialized learning needs, $560 million for enrolment growth, and $355 million to manage class size and complexity. Additional supports include early literacy and numeracy funding, student transportation, and curriculum renewal to help classrooms keep pace with Alberta’s fast growing student population.

To keep Alberta’s economy moving, Budget 2026 invests in skills training, workforce development, infrastructure, and industries that create long-term opportunity. Funding supports entrepreneurs, innovation, regional economic development, and growth in key sectors. A three year, $28.3 billion capital plan strengthens roads, transit, hospitals, post secondary facilities, and other critical infrastructure, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the province.

Even as Alberta projects a $9.4 billion deficit – driven largely by global volatility and rapid population growth – the province remains in the strongest fiscal position in Canada. Alberta continues to have the lowest overall tax burden, the strongest GDP per capita, and some of the highest weekly earnings in the country. The budget takes a disciplined approach by focusing on priorities, controlling costs, and making responsible choices in a year when many families and businesses are also feeling financial pressure.

Budget 2026 also continues Alberta’s long-term commitment to the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. Our government has been steadily paying into the fund and maintaining a plan to grow it to $250 billion by 2050. The fund is expected to reach about $34 billion by the end of 2026/27, up from $31.5 billion the year before. By protecting and growing this fund, Alberta is setting aside wealth today so future generations can benefit from stable, long-term savings that support the province’s financial strength for decades to come.

Budget 2026 is designed to help Alberta weather today’s challenges while building a stronger future. By staying focused on what matters – better healthcare, stronger schools, good jobs, and the infrastructure that keeps communities growing – our government is taking steady, responsible steps forward. With careful fiscal management and a long term plan for stability, Alberta is positioning itself to remain one of the strongest and most resilient places in Canada to live, work, and raise a family.

Budget 2026 makes disciplined choices and takes decisive action to meet these challenges head-on. We remain committed to supporting people living in Alberta in the areas that matter most – like health care, education and our economy. With a total of $28.3 billion over the next three years, the 2026 Capital Plan addresses rising costs and rapid population growth, strengthening our province’s infrastructure.

(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)