Expense

Overview

Budget 2024 is a responsible plan for a growing province. It maintains the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient delivery of public services while focusing on Albertans’ priorities.

Budget 2024 includes funding to strengthen health care and education, support vulnerable Albertans, keep our communities safe, responsibly manage and develop our resources and grow Alberta’s economy.

The government’s latest budget update is now available online. Read the 2024-25 First Quarter Fiscal Update and Economic Statement.

Resources

Budget 2024 Expense

2024-25 first-quarter update

The total expense forecast for 2024-25 is $73.3 billion, reflecting a slight increase of $0.1 billion from the budget. The operating expense is expected to reach $60.3 billion, mainly due to increased spending to support the rise in student enrolment and other costs related to government supported programs.

Table 1. Expense summary (millions of dollars)

Source: Treasury Board and Finance
Expense items	2023-24 Actual	2024-25 Estimate	2024-25 Forecast	Change from Budget
Operating expense:
- Health	25,165	26,207	26,226	19
- Kindergarten to Grade 12	8,878	9,252	9,377	125
- Post-secondary	6,233	6,305	6,302	(3)
- Seniors, Community and Social Services	5,284	5,229	5,235	6
- Other ministries / Legislative Assembly	12,583	13,131	13,179	48
Total operating expense	58,143	60,124	60,319	195
Capital grants	2,103	3,469	3,548	80
Disaster / emergency assistance	3,025	–	573	573
Amortization / inventory consumption / loss on disposals	4,399	4,564	4,561	(3)
- Debt servicing	3,149	3,389	3,208	(181)
- Pension provisions	(372)	(364)	(364)	–
Contingency	–	2,000	1,438	(563)
Total expense	70,447	73,182	73,283	101