On Monday morning, Alberta government house leader Jason Nixon announced the province would be speeding up the passing of the provincial budget and adding an additional $500 million of heath care spending to the budget.
The government will ask the legislature today for unanimous consent to amend the 2020-21 budget to add the $500 million for health spending. The UCP will need the support of the NDP to pass this measure. If the NDP does not vote for the motion, Nixon said the government will take other steps to speed up the passing of the budget.
The government will expedite the passage of the budget with measures such as starting evening sittings, and the legislature could adjourn at any moment because of the spread of COVID-19.
"We need to ensure funding is available for the front-line health care workers whose presence will be critical in treating Albertans who become seriously ill," Nixon said.
"In addition, we need to be certain that other essential government services are fully funded going forward in order to ensure these services are available to Albertans during this challenging time."
