EDMONTON

It’s a good start, but more needs to be done, said Premier Rachel Notley Tuesday after the feds cut the province a $250 million cheque to help Alberta’s economic crisis.

“When you look at what we’ve lost in terms of the price of oil, it’s unfortunately not enough,” Notley told reporters at the legislature.

“I have already been identifying other issues that we need to have addressed by the federal government.”

She said the depth and duration of the drop in oil prices “is probably the worst we’ve seen in this province in 22 years.”

Notley said Alberta needs Ottawa to take “quick action” on key issues such as unemployment insurance, infrastructure funding and pipeline access to new markets to help the province through tough financial times.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Tuesday the federal government will provide Alberta with an advance fiscal stabilization payment of approximately $251.4 million, as part of ongoing support to assist provinces in the provision of programs and services.

Morneau said the payment demonstrates the commitment of the federal and provincial governments to address the challenges facing middle-class families, and those struggling with the effects of the economic downturn.

Alberta applied for a fiscal stabilization payment earlier this month. The province qualified for the maximum amount of $60 per person.

“Canadians expect us to work together to help families through difficult times,” Mourneau said in a statement. “I saw first-hand the challenges facing Alberta families on my recent visit to Calgary.”

Notley said her NDP government has not yet determined what to do with the $251 million grant, but the projected $6.1-billion deficit is expected to balloon because of the prolonged drop in oil prices. A third-quarter fiscal update is anticipated Wednesday.

The premier urged Ottawa to make it easier for out-of-work Albertans to qualify for unemployment insurance and extended UI benefits.

“That’s the most important need right now, to help families that have lost their jobs over the course of the past year,” she said.

She said it’s also important that federal infrastructure funding promised to Alberta “comes sooner rather than later.”

Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Brian Mason said last week the province is already working on a plan to invest $700 million from Ottawa’s Building Canada fund on new infrastructure.

“We’re told that this is for projects that we will be able to get started on this construction season,” Mason said.

Alberta Infrastructure said it has identified a list of tender-ready projects totalling about $1.7 billion.

The premier also urged Ottawa to ensure its planned reforms to the National Energy Board process for approving pipelines doesn’t unduly delay decisions.

Wildrose finance critic Derek Fildebrandt said Alberta has to get its own fiscal house in order and can’t rely on Ottawa to do it.

“Getting $250 million of our own money back is certainly appreciated, but it’s not going to fix anything,” he said.

dhenton@calgaryherald.com

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