News release March 8, 2013

Wildrose releases Financial Disaster Plan for Alberta Edmonton... Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister of Finance, released the following statement today on the Official Opposition’s release of a reckless and extreme fiscal document. ―The PC budget is a positive plan for the future that will ensure we’re building Alberta. It’s a thoughtful document that took months to develop in consultation with Albertans – it wasn’t developed overnight. We’re proud of our plan because we know it is going to put the province on the right track. ―But the Wildrose party just doesn’t get it. Their phony budget is pure magic — Danielle Smith and her party pulled numbers out of thin air and they simply don’t add up. ―The Wildrose say they’ll cut $1 billion in investments in much-needed infrastructure, but won’t say which schools, hospitals and roads would not be built. They would eliminate Family Care Clinics, depriving Albertans of better access to health care in their communities. They want to cancel AOSTRA2 and investments in other clean-energy technologies, leaving Albertans with fewer resources to flight climate change and weakening the province’s case for the Keystone pipeline. Finally, they say they’ll find a billion dollars in government departments, which will result in devastating cuts to teachers, nurses and other frontline workers. ―Albertans expressed clearly to this government that they want a balanced approach to budgeting in Alberta. Budget 2013 is our plan for responsible change that saves for the future, holds the line on spending and keeps our taxes the lowest in Canada. We are being prudent and responsible in building for the future, not pursuing an extreme ideological agenda that is stuck in the past.‖

- 30 - Media inquiries may be directed to: Robyn Cochrane Press Secretary Treasury Board and Finance 780-668-2256 (cell) robyn.cochrane@gov.ab.ca

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.