Environment in Budget 2011

The Ministry of Environment has taken another hit this year as their budget has been reduced from $309.4 million to $290 million. At a time when we need urgent action on climate change, it is frustrating to see that the biggest cut in this department is the climate change and emissions management line item. It is also appalling that despite previous commitments to support public transit in our cities, there are no serious dollars to help build our much needed LRT system in Edmonton. Meanwhile, on the tar sands, despite repeated condemnations of the water monitoring system as grossly inadequate, this budget again reflects a greater commitment to rhetoric rather than action. While funding for monitoring, science and reporting increased, it still stands at only $17 million, pathetic in comparison to communications funding, which, for instance, spent $25 million on a single tar sands PR campaign. (See Greenpeace Blog Entry, "The numbers speak for themselves")

- This is an excerpt from PIA's 2011 Budget Analysis: Provincial budget will hit Alberta families hard. Click here to access the full piece.

Better Way Alberta

Under-funding public services is hurting our future and our communities. We see this across sectors, and that's why PIA is working in cooperation with the Alberta Federation of Labour and other organizations on the Better Way Alberta campaign. Better Way Alberta is spreading the word on the real reasons behind Alberta's deficits and underfunded services, and addressing what's actually happening to Alberta's incredible wealth.

Visit the Better Way Alberta website, check out the funny radio ads and help spread the word

Follow the Money: Watch the short video online or check out Kevin Taft's great new book on where Alberta's incredible wealth is going