Budgets always bring mixed emotions - of hope for much needed increased investments, and trepidation of belt tightening cuts. This year’s budget saw some growth, while some critical services remain underfunded. Last week’s The Nonprofit Vote’s Budget Analysis and Political Gossip with Friends shone a light on why these issues matter so much to Albertans – and it was both energizing and validating.  

On Tuesday March 5, Melissa Caouette of The Pocket Lobbyist broke down the budget at The Nonprofit Vote’s Budget Analysis and Political Gossip with Friends. Sabrina Grover, Cheryl Oates, Richard Gotfried and moderator John Alho joined in a lively discussion afterward to spill the budget tea.  

These panelists, representing all political stripes, recognized the current financial strain experienced by the nonprofit sector – brought on by historic underfunding of administrative costs, inflation, decreased donations, and increasing service demands in response to continued pandemic fallout.    

Attendees at Tuesday’s event were given advice on funding strategies in this “new normal”, including collaborating more than ever across sectors and “stacking” funding from multiple sources. We were encouraged to be persistent with our overall message about the state of our sector: that the steady erosion of our funding and critical services hurts our Province. And we were reminded that “Budget 2025 starts now” - we should already be planning our Budget 2025 submissions and advocacy. In that vein, CCVO has scheduled consultations with the nonprofit sector to establish a clear mandate for Appropriate Funding – sign up here! 

Major takeaways from the budget: 

• Critical sub-sectors see budget increases, such as Health, Education, Housing (homelessness,) the Arts, Social Supports (violence prevention and AISH), Workforce (Daycare and Alberta is Calling campaign) 
• The Community Initiatives Program decreased by $4 million while the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) remained stable at $50 million   
• Health, Education, and CFEP budgets do not keep up with population growth and inflation 
• Promises kept: Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Program, $30 million over three years (part of the CFEP program)  
• New programs: Electric Vehicle Tax, Carbon Capture Incentive Program, Local Growth and Sustainability Program  
• Absent: New tax bracket for those earning <$60,000, affordability measures, South Edmonton Hospital, Alberta Pension Plan 
   

To check out Melissa Caouette’s entire budget analysis, click on this link!