Alberta Government to Unveil 2025 Budget Amid Economic Challenges

EDMONTON — The Alberta government will present its 2025 budget on Thursday, February 27, at 3:15 p.m. Many Albertans will be watching closely for signs of increased education funding amid ongoing school support staff strikes and negotiations with the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

The budget comes at a time of significant economic uncertainty. Rising costs, a growing population, and geopolitical instability—including U.S. President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff threats, and volatility in global oil markets. No stranger to shifting geopolitical winds, the issues still pose challenges for revenue forecasting. Alberta’s reliance on oil royalties, which fluctuate with market prices, adds another layer of complexity.

The province is also recovering from back-to-back years of severe drought, which has heavily impacted the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, Premier Danielle Smith has pledged to aggressively invest in the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund, aiming to grow the “rainy day” fund to at least $250 billion by 2050.

However, the government faces pressure to increase spending in key areas, particularly education, where Alberta currently invests the least per capita among Canadian provinces. Balancing these priorities while addressing economic headwinds will likely be a central focus of today’s budget.

The budget will be delivered at the Alberta Legislature and streamed live on YouTube.