The provincial government is looking at a $10.8 billion deficit for 2016. That’s a slight improvement from what was predicted earlier this year, after $500 million was added by Fort McMurray wildfire fighting efforts.
Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the economy appears to be stabilizing, but it’s too soon to say Alberta has turned a corner. He adds that the province added 25,000 jobs over the last three months, and has increased manufacturing shipments, drilling activity, and the value of exports.
It’s expected we’ll see economic growth next year, after two years of recession.