Budget 2025: Meeting the challenge
By Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2025.
At the Legislature – Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East
Albertans are facing uncertain economic times, but our government is taking decisive action to ensure we continue moving forward. Budget 2025, titled Meeting the Challenge, reflects our commitment to addressing today’s realities while laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity. This budget focuses on affordability, essential services, and strategic investments to support growth across Alberta, including right here in Lethbridge and the South Zone.
Supporting Albertans with Lower Taxes
The rising cost of living remains a top concern for many families. That’s why we are implementing an income tax cut two years ahead of schedule, reducing the tax rate to 8% for earnings up to $60,000. This change will save individual Albertans approximately $750 annually and families up to $1,500—putting more money back in your pocket.
Investing in Health Care and Education
With Alberta’s population growing at record rates, we are making our largest-ever investments in health care and education. Budget 2025 commits $28 billion to health care across the province, including funding to expand hospital capacity, retain health care workers, and improve mental health and addiction services. In Lethbridge, this means:
• $22 million for renal dialysis expansion at Chinook Regional Hospital.
• $5 million in planning funds to enhance ICU capacity in both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
• A new catheterization lab at Chinook Regional Hospital.
• The continued expansion of the Southern Alberta Medical Program at the University of Lethbridge, with funding increasing to $39 million over three years.
• Reinstatement of the Grants in Place of Taxes (GIPOT) program, which benefits Lethbridge by compensating for provincial properties exempt from municipal taxation.
For education, we are investing $9.9 billion in operating expenses—a 4.5% increase—to hire 4,500 additional teachers and education staff, reduce classroom pressures, and support students with complex needs. In Southern Alberta, Budget 2025 provides $225 million over three years for school construction and modernization, including planning and design funding for three new school projects in the region and another new elementary school for Lethbridge.
Strategic Infrastructure and Economic Growth
Alberta’s long-term economic success depends on well-planned infrastructure. Our three-year, $26.1 billion Capital Plan prioritizes key projects that support job creation and economic growth, including:
• $106 million for the twinning of Highway 3.
• The first phase of the realignment and connection of Highways 2 and 3 near Fort Macleod to enhance trade corridors.
• $2.6 billion for new and expanded schools.
• $3.6 billion for health care infrastructure, including rural health facilities.
• $2.5 billion for roads and bridges, with $221 million dedicated to highway twinning and widening.
Preparing for Economic Uncertainty
Recognizing the potential financial impact of tariffs and other economic pressures, we have set aside a $4 billion contingency fund to address unforeseen costs, including public sector negotiations and natural disasters. At the same time, we remain committed to long-term financial stability by growing the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund to $250 billion by 2050.
A Budget for All Albertans
Budget 2025 is about meeting the challenges of today while preparing for a strong future. By investing in critical services, infrastructure, and economic diversification, we are ensuring that Alberta remains the best place in Canada to live, work, and raise a family. In Lethbridge and across the South Zone, these investments will provide real benefits, ensuring that our community remains vibrant and resilient in the years ahead.
24-23
All the while, “Peter Guthrie on UCP probation; MLA Scott Sinclair kicked out of caucus.”
http://www.albertapolitics.ca
“Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair has been thrown right out of the UCP caucus for threatening in social media posts to vote against Finance Minister Nate Horner’s budget on the grounds that it doesn’t do enough for rural ridings like his. Clearly, a grateful Poop Cookie Lady can be counted on to support the budget, anyway.”
Cracked UCP rotten egg starting to emit a malodorous stench?!
If Neudorf would leave the UCP, he would get more respect.
Loosen the knots, let the weight slip away.
Step forward—light, unburdened, free.
The sea will remember, but you are no longer bound.
Mr. Neudorf: you are not listening to a majority of Albertans. Under the UCP, Alberta has become one of the worst places to live in this country, particularly Southern Alberta with the threat of Grassy Mountain.
Mr. Sinclair was absolutely correct in taking a stand for his constituents by calling out the budget.
BTW, you neglected to mention the dumping of the Turkish Tylenol in Ukraine. If this medication was dangerous for Alberta children, why is it safe for children in Ukraine? Shame.
And the metaphorical car alarms that talk to themselves chime in on this now fully tanked NDP rag.
Thank you MLA Neudorf, the budget is fair, realistic and appropriate considering the general financial conditions within our province and more so within Canada.
I recently read the comments of Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen who submits that he is pleased how the City of Lethbridge faired in the budget distribution. Thank you MLA Neudorf for your obvious work for us in that respect.