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Saskatchewan’s budget, released last Wednesday, will see the province’s sales tax increased one point to six per cent, a decrease in government funding for a number of public services, a reduction in wages for some 40,000 public employees, and slashing the provincial bus company along with its 224 jobs.

Alberta, meanwhile, is borrowing heavily to cover both its capital and operating costs while banking on a significant boost in royalties and higher oil prices to ultimately balance the ledger in six years.

Notley held up Wall’s tough budget last week as an example of what Albertans might expect if there is a change in government, chiding her opponents as living in a “fantasyland” for suggesting they can balance the books without impacting frontline services or hiking taxes.

Wall took to Twitter over the weekend to fire back, posting an editorial cartoon lampooning Notley’s fiscal plan while commenting: “This #skbudget involved many tough decisions but last week, Premier Notley decided to give us some budgeting advice. Thanks, but no thanks.”

Duane Bratt, chair of policy studies at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said the latest round is more about more than head office relocations.

“Wall is being used by politicians in Alberta as a piñata and has for two years,” Bratt said. “The conservatives love him, and the NDP challenge him. I suspect that you are going to see (Conservative leader Jason) Kenney and (Wildrose leader Brian) Jean and the rest of them pipe up over this dispute, by not blasting Brad Wall for trying to poach Calgary firms, but attacking Notley and saying she created the circumstances for Wall doing what he is doing.”

Indeed, in response to ConocoPhillips’ announcement, Wildrose energy critic Drew Barnes said energy companies are leaving Alberta because of the NDP’s climate policies.

“Investors have no faith in the NDP government’s ability to create an environment for companies to succeed. They’re celebrating this move that relieves their exposure to the NDP’s ideology,” Barnes said in a statement.

Financial Post

ccattaneo@nationalpost.com

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