WHEN
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On Thursday, October 24, the Honourable Travis Toews tabled the first budget of the United Conservative Party (UCP). Elected on a mandate to restore fiscal order in the province, and informed by the work and report of the government's Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances (the MacKinnon report), the budget was one of the most closely watched events for the new government.
Join us to hear from an expert panel representing major segments of Alberta society to inform members of the public, students, faculty, and university staff of the important implications of the budgetary measures announced on the 24th.
Co-sponsored by Parkland Institute; the Economics Society of Northern Alberta; and Policy Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta.
About the Panelists
Keith Gerein grew up in Calgary. He has worked at the Edmonton Journal for the last 19 years covering a number of different beats, including City Hall, post-secondary education and health care. He also covered the Alison Redford era at the legislature as a reporter, and has now returned to the legislature as an opinion columnist, covering the 2019 provincial election and the first months of the Kenney government.
Ken Kobly has been the president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) since February 2005, speaking for the federation of chambers of commerce which represent over 25,000 businesses in Alberta.
Nicole Martel is the Executive Officer of Policy and Advocacy with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA). Before joining the AUMA, Nicole spent three and half years with the Government of Alberta as the Senior Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, managing a variety of small business supports and grants.
Elizabeth Smythe is professor of political science at Concordia University of Edmonton where she teaches international and comparative politics courses as well as Canadian public policy. Her research interests include international trade and investment agreements, food standards and social movements and global justice.
Jonathan Teghtmeyer is the Associate Coordinator, Communications for The Alberta Teachers' Association. His primary responsibilities are in communications, political engagement and advocacy. He is also on the board of directors for the Friends of Medicare and the treasurer of Public Interest Alberta.
Katherine (Kate) White is an economist with expertise in fiscal policy, public finance and senior public sector leadership. Kate has formerly held the positions of Assistant Deputy Minister for Economics and Fiscal Policy with the Government of Alberta as well as Chief Economist, Deputy Chief Economist and Senior Policy Advisor, all with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance.
Moderated by Bob Ascah, who holds degrees in Commerce and Public Administration from Carleton University and completed his PhD in political science at the University of Alberta in 1984. In 1984, he joined Alberta’s public service moving to Alberta Treasury in 1986. At Treasury he was responsible for financial sector policy, foreign borrowing, and liaison with credit rating agencies. In 1996, he joined Alberta Treasury Branches becoming responsible for government relations, strategic planning, and economic research.
Photo credit: Government of Alberta under a Creative Commons licence.