MLA Broyce Jacobs

Summer is flying by and this month I enjoyed the peak of parade season in Raymond, Stirling, Taber, Magrath and Milk River. I also attended the Silver Anniversary of the Great Canadian Barn Dance in Hill Spring, participated in the Celebrity Cutting Horse Competition at the Magrath Agri-Dome, attended the dedication of the Alston Scout Park in Magrath, and spoke at a public meeting in the Village of Warner. These were all great opportunities to mingle and hear from constituents.
I was pleased to congratulate the Gast Family from Magrath and the Palmer Family from Raymond who received the BMO Farm Family Awards at the Calgary Stampede.  Both of these families are devoted to agriculture, family, community, and the environment in which they live.  The BMO Farm Family Awards are designedto recognize the exemplary contributions in agriculture and beyond of families who live and work in Alberta Communities south of Red Deer.  Congratulations again to these families!
Alberta has posted a lower deficit as the economy grows.  The following are highlights of the 2010-2011 Annual Report:

Alberta’s fiscal results reflected growing confidence in the Alberta economy, which grew by an estimated 3.8 per cent in 2010.
Alberta posted a $3.4 billion deficit in 2010-11, $1.3 billion lower than estimated at budget
The Sustainability Fund, which stood at $11.2 billion at March 31, 2011 is $3 billion higher than forecast at budget.
Revenue was $34.9 billion, $886 million higher than budget, mainly due to higher bitumen royalties, strong land lease sales, and investment income.
Expense was $38.3 billion, $452 million lower than budget, mainly due to decreases in operating expense and reprofiling of capital grants to future years.

We are in good fiscal shape in part because of our savings in the Sustainability Fund.  Alberta’s 2010-11 fiscal results reflected confidence in the Alberta economy.
The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
It’s always a great pleasure to be able to meet constituents of all backgrounds and ages. If you have any questions, concerns or issues you’d like to discuss, please feel free to contact my office in Cardston at 403-653-5100 or in Taber at 403-223-0001. I can also provide congratulatory scrolls for birthdays 65 years and older and wedding anniversaries in five year increments, starting at 25 years.