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A resurgent Alberta economy hasn’t yet translated into a stronger bottom line for the NDP government, but Finance Minister Joe Ceci signalled Tuesday the province will cut costs by holding the line on public-sector jobs and wages.

In its second-quarter financial report, the government is now projecting GDP growth of four per cent in 2017, up from the 2.6 per cent increase forecast in the budget.

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The provincial deficit is only slightly improved from the spring, however, currently at $10.3 billion compared with $10.4 billion at budget.

In a legislature news conference, Ceci touted a $180-million reduction in planned spending that came in part from cost-containment measures.

And he said the improving economy means the time is right for more belt-tightening in the next provincial budget, announcing the province would bring in a hiring freeze and push for zero salary increases in negotiations with public-sector unions.