CHESTERMERE – A small but talkative group gathered at Lakeside Greens Golf Club on Friday, Feb. 17 to sit down and have breakfast with local PC candidate, Minister of Energy Ted Morton.
The informal breakfast ran from 7 to 9 a.m., where attendees could mingle with Morton for a half hour or so before having breakfast.
Morton, who remained seated at the table with everyone to create a more conversational atmosphere, then spoke to his thoughts on the newly released budget.
He started off by saying that he thinks the new 2012 budget will put the province back on track to achieve balanced budgets for next year.
”It’s a good new budget that is very fiscally responsible,” Morton said simply.
“This is the fifth deficit in a row, yes, but we had a savings account – a sustainability fund. We have drawn that down from $18-million to $3.7 million now.
“That has allowed us to keep building infrastructure that we need to balance the budget. In other words, we used a rainy day account because it was rainy.”
Morton said that the budget will increase investment in families, communities, education and support for the vulnerable, which he said will apply to the Chestermere and the area as it is a fast growing community.
He said that the budget also means no tax increases, and that the PC’s are projecting a balanced budget for 2013/2014.
“Budget 2012 is good news for Albertans and good news for Rocky View,” he said. “We will be back to a balanced budget by next year with no new taxes and no new tax increases.
“At the same time, we will maintain funding for your healthcare and your children’s education.”
Morton also briefly touched on his hope that things like healthcare, senior care and education will be able to benefit from a balanced budget.
Ted Morton’s local constituency office is located in Chestermere Town Square, behind the Esso station. His website will be updated in the coming weeks, and will provide information about when he will be available in Chestermere.
For more information, visit tedmorton.ca
