Appropriation (Supplementary Supply) Act, 2024 ($)

Summary#

• This bill gives Alberta’s government extra money for the rest of the 2023–24 fiscal year (ending March 31, 2024).

• It adds operating funds for several ministries, a small amount for new capital projects, and more loan/financing authority.

• Key changes:

  • About $412.7 million in extra operating funds (expenses).
  • About $4.5 million in extra capital investment.
  • About $304.1 million for “financial transactions” (loans and other financing, not day‑to‑day spending).
  • Largest boosts: Health ($133.1M), Agriculture and Irrigation ($109.2M), Public Safety and Emergency Services ($81.5M), Mental Health and Addiction ($45.9M).
  • Big loan/financing items: Advanced Education ($278.8M), Technology and Innovation ($25.0M).

What it means for you#

• General public

  • Health: Extra funds to keep hospitals, clinics, and related services running and deal with higher-than-planned costs.
  • Mental health and addiction: More operating money and a small amount for facilities or equipment, which could support existing treatment and recovery services.
  • Public safety and emergency services: More funds for policing and emergency response.
  • Forestry and parks: Extra funds that can support park operations or forest management.

• Students and families

  • Advanced Education (financial transactions): A large increase in loan/financing authority likely supports programs such as student financial aid. This is not direct operating spending but can mean more loan funds are available.

• Farmers and ranchers

  • Agriculture and Irrigation: A major top-up that can support ministry programs and services tied to farms, irrigation, and related needs.

• Energy and minerals sector

  • Energy and Minerals: Added operating funds for the ministry’s ongoing work.

• Other groups

  • Justice, Children and Family Services, Seniors and Social Services, and Municipal Affairs receive smaller operating increases.
  • Technology and Innovation (financial transactions): More loan/financing authority for ministry-run programs.
  • Arts, Culture and Status of Women (financial transactions): A small loan/financing amount.

Note: The bill lists dollar amounts by ministry but does not spell out specific programs. Ministries decide how to use these funds within existing rules.

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: about CAD $417 million in new spending, plus CAD $304 million in loans/financing.

• Operating (expenses): $412,667,000

  • Health: $133,100,000
  • Agriculture and Irrigation: $109,249,000
  • Public Safety and Emergency Services: $81,471,000
  • Mental Health and Addiction: $45,900,000
  • Forestry and Parks: $22,776,000
  • Justice: $9,855,000
  • Energy and Minerals: $7,044,000
  • Children and Family Services: $1,550,000
  • Municipal Affairs: $1,197,000
  • Seniors, Community and Social Services: $525,000

• Capital investment: $4,463,000

  • Mental Health and Addiction: $3,000,000
  • Public Safety and Emergency Services: $1,170,000
  • Agriculture and Irrigation: $293,000

• Financial transactions (loans and other financing): $304,102,000

  • Advanced Education: $278,767,000
  • Technology and Innovation: $25,000,000
  • Arts, Culture and Status of Women: $335,000

Proponents' View#

• Keeps essential services running when costs rise faster than expected.
• Helps reduce pressure on hospitals, emergency services, and mental health supports.
• Provides flexibility to respond to urgent needs late in the fiscal year.
• Maintains support for the agriculture sector and rural communities.
• Ensures student loan and other financing programs have enough funds.
• Uses a small, targeted capital top-up instead of large new projects.

Opponents' View#

• Adds spending late in the year, which some see as a sign of weak budget planning.
• Lacks detail on exactly which programs or results the extra money will deliver.
• Financial transactions increase government lending and exposure without clear outcomes.
• May not be enough to fix deeper problems in health care, mental health, or public safety.
• Risk that rushed year‑end spending is less efficient or transparent.