By Canadian Press

Big spender: Alberta panel says savings to be found in health, education changes

Sep 3, 2019 | 12:07 PM

CALGARY — A panel looking into Alberta’s finances says the province habitually overspends on the services it delivers.

The panel, chaired by former Saskatchewan finance minister Janice MacKinnon, says Alberta’s annual expenditures would be $10.4 billion less if the province were to spend the same per person as do British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

The report, ordered by Premier Jason Kenney, says if Alberta matched the other provinces, it would have a $3.7-billion surplus this year instead of a $6.7-billion deficit.

The panel also notes that Alberta’s spending per capita is the highest in Canada.

It makes 26 recommendations that include reviews of health care and education.

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It addresses high income among doctors, recommends lowering administration costs in schools and says universities should be funded more through tuition.

The Canadian Press