Speaker: Mark Milke – Director of Research, Frontier Centre for Public Policy

http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/h8zey5prh2gur9c.pdf?t=1265665178

Session summary:

Do we accept the speaker’s assessment of Alberta’s performance in this area?

• General agreement on “D” grade
• Current savings plan not acceptable
• Difficult not to increase spending when times are good (i.e., when massive surplus, people flowing into the province)
• Comparisons to other oil producing jurisdictions not fair because of equalization program

Do we agree with the proposed solutions and alternatives? If not, how would we alter them?

• Broad agreement with solutions and alternatives
• Consumption tax as a long term solution
• Legislate 30% of resource revenues to Heritage Fund
• Concern given current spending; others prefer tax cuts to diversify economy
• Funding that follows student / patient
• One group concerned about schools/hospital in rural communities
• Dealing with the public sector monopoly on labour
• Pension reform, from defined benefits to defined contributions
• Return to balanced budget, consider infrastructure debt

What additional ideas, solutions, and alternatives do we think would improve Alberta’s performance in this area?

• Reduce / streamline bureaucracy, look for service delivery efficiencies
• More funds for municipalities, should be part of the solution
• More careful consideration of regional spending within Alberta
• Need to have a plan to manage growth
• Transparency in financial reporting (Capital vs. Operating)
• Long term operation costing for infrastructure (full cost accounting)
• Give surpluses back to Albertans
• Encourage development of creative economy
• Citizen engagement on spending increases, statutory spending restraint
• Stop subsidization of water and power
• Similar royalties for oil & gas as Alaska / Norway

Small Group Discussion response forms:

http://documents.scribd.com.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/h8yw05g2q2x2cw0.pdf?t=1265665429