With a number of experts now predicting that a recession is a real possibility in the coming months, it is vital that the provincial government start work now in preparing to meet the challenges that may be on the horizon.
Whether those preparatory measures will be effective should an economic downturn actually happen remains to be seen. What is known is that with the Alberta economy being fairly robust right now, the time is right to start planning ahead.
Jason Nixon is the Sundre-area MLA and minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. During a press conference last week, he discussed the possibility that a recession could be coming.
“The government of Alberta is prepared to continue to use tools we have seen have success for Albertans in periods of unemployment and to help individuals enter the workforce,” said Nixon.
“We will continue to see challenges if we head into a recession but we also continue to see large demands for skilled workforce participants and be able to move people from different sides of the job demographic to get them to see success.”
Nixon notes that his department’s budget has been increased to more than $10 billion in 2025, “making sure we are focused on our income support program and continuing to make sure there are resources to help people through a period of recession.
“The number one thing that we can do is make sure that we have our resources in place to be able to help Albertans to get through whatever troubling times we may see.”
With the Trump administration appearing more determined than ever to pursue its international tariff trade war, it is vital that Alberta be prepared meet the significant economic challenges that could be just around the corner.
At the same time, it is also important that the Smith government work closely with its stakeholder partners – including the newly-elected federal Liberal government – to ensure Alberta families and businesses are protected as much as possible from the coming storm.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
