Expense

Overview

Budget 2026 focuses on what matters most: stronger health care, better education, improved skills training, and safe, thriving communities.

Alberta's government is focusing on continuous improvement, program reviews, and smarter service delivery. The government’s fiscal framework allows flexibility during periods of economic pressure, and a broad review will be undertaken to identify measures that will support sustainable budgeting in the years ahead.

Resources

Budget 2026 Expense

Expense summary

Total expense in 2026-27 is forecast at $83.9 billion – an increase of $4.5 billion from 2025-26 third quarter forecast. This includes a $3.4 billion increase to operating expense and a $ 325 million increase to the capital plan.

Table 1. Budget 2026 expense summary (millions of dollars)

Source: Treasury Board and Finance
Expense items	2024-25	2025-26		2026-27
Expense items	Actual	Budget	Forecast	Estimate
Operating expense:
- Health	27,300	27,873	30,286	32,099
- Education (K to 12)	10,839	11,832	11,906	12,865
- Advanced education (post-secondary)	6,607	6,635	7,056	7,110
- Social services ministries	7,019	7,497	7,381	7,696
- Other ministries/Legislative Assembly	10,259	10,474	10,388	10,627
Total operating expense	62,025	64,311	67,016	70,398
Capital grants	2,934	3,452	3,347	3,672
Amortization/inventory consumption/loss on disposals	4,446	4,993	4,830	4,853
Debt servicing costs	3,215	2,968	2,922	3,407
Pension provisions	(403)	(375)	(196)	(408)
Disaster and emergency assistance	1,932	–	1,506	–
Contingency	–	4,000	–	2,000
Total expense	74,149	79,349	79,426	83,922