President Doug Knight meets with Treasury Board President for budget discussions
EDMONTON – Doug Knight, President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, met with provincial Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove at the Legislature this morning for a presentation on the government’s budget shortfall.
“Minister Snelgrove tried to give us a clear picture of the problems the government is having balancing its books. They are facing a $2 billion shortfall in the budget and are looking for ideas to address the situation both on the revenue and the expenditure side,” Knight said.
“We have been asked to report back to the government by September and will continue these discussions in the future,” he said.
Many diverse groups attended the meeting such as the Alberta Universities Association, Alberta Medical Association, the Alberta Motorists Association, Hobbema Treaty Six First Nation, Metis Council, Consulting Engineers of Alberta, Alberta Electric System Operator, Alberta Student Executive Council, Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, and others.
AUPE and the Alberta Building Trades Council were the only labour groups present at the meeting this morning. Additional group meetings were also scheduled to take place this afternoon and in the coming days.
“No firm fiscal plans were announced at the meeting in terms of spending cuts or methods to increase revenue. Minister Snelgrove only warned that we would all have to ‘share the pain’ as the province tries to repair its financial situation,” Knight concluded.
Minister Snelgrove indicated he would be scheduling further one-on-one meetings with some organizations. AUPE will request an individual meeting with the Minister to follow up on today’s discussions.
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