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Oil prices

Finance minister says gov will provide steady hand amid oil price meltdown

Mar 9, 2020 | 3:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Alberta’s finance minister was in Medicine Hat Monday but even as he spoke to a gathered crowd of about 50 residents, oil prices were tanking with Opposition Leader Rachel Notley calling on a revamping of Budget 2020 less than two weeks after it dropped.

“I recognize that with an absolute meltdown on commodity prices, it will have a big impact on the province,” said Finance Minister Travis Toews on Monday.

Toews added the province will make adjustments as the government see’s fit and it, “will keep a steady hand on the wheel financially and fiscally in this province.”

He said the UCP government is committed to Budget 2020 but to also be flexible as the dynamics of the volatile commodity prices continue.

During his 45-minute public meeting, Toews also mentioned the province is looking at projects which didn’t make the cut in Budget 2020’s capital plan but would help get Albertans working while reinforcing the province’s economic development.

One of those projects was a highway twinning plan but asked if that was a reference to the Crowsnest Highway, the minister was non-committal.