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A look at some of the recommendations in Alberta’s financial report

Sep 3, 2019 | 1:01 PM

CALGARY — A panel looking into Alberta’s finances says the province has been overspending for years and needs to make changes. Here are some of 26 recommendations its report makes:

— Use alternative medical service delivery, including private clinics, for day procedures and other medical services that don’t have to be done in hospitals.

Limit the high cost of doctor services by having physicians move to alternative payment plans, renegotiate its agreement with the Alberta Medical Association and also consider legislation.

Revise school funding. Specifically decrease the amount that goes to administration and governance.

Lift the current freeze on post-secondary tuition. Have institutions rely less on government grants and more on tuition and alternative revenue sources.

— Create legislation that sets salary levels for all public-sector workers and applies to all negotiations and arbitrations. It would form the basis for back-to-work legislation.

Adopt a fiscal rule that limits annual increases in total program spending to the projected increase in total household incomes.

Balance the budget by 2022-23 and introduce a legislated plan to eliminate the net debt by 2043-44.

Establish a fixed budget date.

The Canadian Press

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