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Ralph Klein used to say governing during bad times was easier than in good because he could say a simple “no” to everyone asking for money.

If that’s true, then Alberta’s newest Finance Minister Joe Ceci has the easiest job in the world.

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The price of oil continues to languish, the province is in a recession and the government is facing a $6.5-billion deficit this year.

Ceci should wear a sandwich board wherever he goes with one word on the front and back: “No!”

But it’s never that simple, of course.

Governing in tough times is just that: tough.

And Ceci is finance minister in the toughest of times. To make things even tougher he is making a point of not saying “no” to everyone.

Last week, he suggested to reporters the government is looking at increasing spending on infrastructure projects — on roads and bridges and hospitals, for example — to help create jobs.

His comment invited a blast from critics, including the Wildrose opposition that accused the government of going on a “massive spending binge.”