Expense

Overview

As of the first quarter fiscal update, total expense in 2021-22 is forecast to be $62.7 billion, an increase of $821 million from Budget 2021. Most changes have been from revenue increases, for disasters, or are offset by savings or contingency allocations. Alberta continues to provide significant funding for COVID-19 and economic recovery initiatives.

Download: 2021-22 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Expense summary

Capital grants have increased by $372 million from the budget, primarily from increased and re-profiled federal transfers. $400 million has been added as a provision for anticipated crop insurance payments due to drought conditions. Other increases are largely offset by decreases in other expense, or by allocation from the budgeted contingency.

Table 1. Expense (millions of dollars)

Source: Treasury Board and Finance
Expense items	2020-21 Actual	2021-22 Estimate	2021-22 Forecast	Change from Budget
Operating expense	46,205	48,280	48,468	188
Capital grants	1,752	2,608	2,736	128
Amortization/ inventory consumption/ loss on disposals	3,659	4,009	3,847	(162)
Taxpayer-supported debt servicing costs	2,333	2,323	2,120	(203)
Self-supported debt servicing costs	153	441	443	2
Pension provisions	(282)	(369)	(367)	2
Expense (excluding COVID-19/ Recovery Plan, contingency, crude-by-rail)	53,820	57,294	57,247	(47)
COVID-19/ Recovery Plan:
Operating expense	4,059	919	2,002	1,083
Capital grants	649	196	440	244
Inventory consumption (PPE)	402	33	89	56
Contingency/ disaster and assistance	721	750	1,150	400
Contingency – Unallocated COVID-19/ Recovery Plan	–	1,750	835	(915)
Crude-by-rail provision	443	976	976	–
Total expense	60,099	61,918	62,739	821