Budget sets aside $2B for potential weather disasters
Mounting drought concerns and the threat of more wildfires and other climate-related disasters continue to weigh heavily on Alberta's finances, which is reflected in the Alberta government budget tabled Thursday.
The budget includes a $2-billion contingency for disaster relief programs and allocates hundreds of millions toward wildfire response programs and water management.
The province plans to spend $151 million over the next three years to the Wildfire Management Program, including more than $55 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The money will be used to improve the wildfire response readiness and night operations, support volunteer and community wildfire response programs, provide additional air tanker support and provide additional resources to fight wildfires.
The budget also allocates $55 million for new firefighting equipment and facilities.
The province spent $2.9 billion on disaster and emergency assistance in 2022-23, due largely to an unprecedented wildfire season and indemnity payments and income support for the agriculture sector.
“Budget 2024 improves Alberta's ability to respond to extreme natural events such as floods, droughts and wildfires,” Finance Minister Nate Horner said during Thursday's budget speech in the Alberta legislature.
During a news conference earlier Thursday, Horner pointed out last year's wildfire season burned 2.2 million hectares and forced the evacuation of more than 38,000 people.
“It also depleted our $1.5-billion contingency, and more than
Budget 2024 improves Alberta's ability to respond to extreme natural events such as floods, droughts and wildfires.
50 fires continue to burn,” he added.
To combat droughts and floods, the province plans to spend $251 million over three years.
The province is also spending $19 million to create a “modern, 21st century water strategy” to increase water availability through water storage projects, conservation, data systems and stronger water policies.
“The ongoing drought is a huge concern for our farmers, for industry and for all Albertans, especially in the south,” Horner said.
“Dugouts remain dry and the levels of water in many reservoirs are dangerously low. With little rain predicted on the horizon, we need a responsible plan that will prepare us and our kids for whatever tomorrow may bring.”
There are currently 51 water shortage advisories in place across Alberta, and recent snowpack measurements indicate all but two sites were found to be below average or much below average, according to the province.
With farmers facing the prospect of being allocated water to irrigate their crops, the province plans to pony up $272 million over three years on irrigation projects.
“As we face what may be another tough year for Alberta's agriculture industry, Budget 2024 is looking to the future to see where new water projects are possible while ensuring our existing infrastructure continues to be well maintained to provide water security for Albertans,” said Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson.