Our running tracker of the impact of the Alberta budget

Note: With the Alberta government set to table its 2020 budget on Feb. 27, we published a final update to this 2019 budget tracker on Feb. 22.

It can seem overwhelming to keep track of all the cuts and funding initiatives introduced as part of a provincial budget. The news cycle moves on so quickly that major stories can often be lost in the shuffle.

That's why we've decided to consolidate all of them in one place for your easy reference. We'll update this list weekly, so add it to your bookmarks if you'd like to refer back.

• Budget 2019: Albertans to pay more as United Conservative government reins in spending
• From income taxes to AirBnB rentals: How Alberta's new budget will affect your personal finances

Universities

The United Conservative Party government's 2019 budget provided $5.1 billion for Advanced Education operations, which represents a five-per-cent cut over the previous year. 

Operating expenses were reduced by 12 per cent to $4.8 billion by 2022-23, largely by reducing provincial grants.

• Budget 2019: Alberta's post-secondary budget reduced, tuition freeze removed
• In the 2000s, Alberta invested heavily in its universities. In the 2020s, that's about to change

The University of Calgary said 250 jobs would be impacted by funding cuts. Tuition and education tax credits are also being cut.

• University of Calgary to slash 250 jobs after provincial funding cuts
• Colleges and universities learn the extent of cuts to government grants

Students at the U of C can now expect anything from a zero per cent increase to a 15 per cent increase to their tuition — depending on what program they're in. 

• Tuition and student fees going up at the University of Calgary

MacEwan University students will pay approximately $457 more in tuition in the next academic year. The University of Alberta is set to see a $44.2-million cut.

• MacEwan University hiking tuition after provincial budget cuts

Starting in April 2020, provincial grants will be tied to new performance measures. 

The government will tie Campus Alberta Grants — approximately 40 per cent of funding — to those metrics, starting April 1. If a university meets only 90 per cent of its targets, it will receive only 90 per cent of its provincial funding. ​​​​​

Public schools

The budget for kindergarten to Grade 12 education is $8.2 billion, the same amount that was spent last year, but the UCP abolished three grants: Class Size Funding, Classroom Improvement and School Fee Reduction, which totalled $428 million and only partially replaced those cuts with a one-time transition grant of $153 million.

• Facing $32M cut in provincial funding, CBE says 'all options being explored'
• Calgary Board of Education cuts 300 temporary teachers' contracts
• Brace yourselves for higher bus fees, fewer teachers at Calgary public schools

After the CBE announced it would cut 300 temporary teachers, Alberta Education Minister Adriana LaGrange ordered a provincial review and accused the public school board of "reckless" misspending.

LaGrange later informed the province's school boards that they could apply for one-time access to funding earmarked for maintenance to support classroom and school-based staffing costs. 

• CBE says repurposing maintenance dollars won't compromise student safety
• CBE trustees release document to combat budget 'misconceptions'

The Calgary Catholic School District is facing a $11-million reduction in funding as a result of the budget, and will also incur $6-million in costs associated with growth.

• Busing fees to increase as Calgary Catholic schools address $11M shortfall

The parents of 11,000 Edmonton public school students will have to start paying busing fees for the last five months of the school year.

• Edmonton Public Schools adding, increasing bus fees mid-year after provincial budget cut
• Edmonton's public school board looks to save millions by cutting 5 school days next year

Funding appeared to favour smaller schools. Alternative schooling saw an increase of $4 million as part of the budget.

• Public education advocate questions why religious universities were spared cuts

The Alberta government is investing $1.8 billion from its capital plan for the construction of new schools and the modernization of existing schools across the province.

The funding includes $397 million over five years for 25 new and modernized school projects, which will be announced at a later date.

Pensions

As part of the budget, public sector funds were expected to be transferred to the Crown corporation Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) for management.

• Alberta teachers, public employees left in the dark as pension changes loom

Alberta's largest labour organization said. public-service pensions are being used to prop up the province's struggling fossil fuels industry.

• Alberta public pensions being used to prop up struggling carbon industry, union says

Public sector

The budget cuts 2,100 public service positions  — a 7.7 per cent reduction — by 2023. 

• Alberta's public unions prep for a fight, whether in the streets or the courts
• Provincial budget cuts could take toll on Edmonton and public sector, critics say
• Hundreds of public sector workers protest post-secondary layoffs
• Layoffs hit Alberta Innovates in wake of provincial budget

Nearly 6,000 Alberta public-sector jobs could be eliminated as the UCP government tries to cut costs and find efficiencies.

• Unions told thousands more job cuts coming to Alberta public service
• Hundreds voice concerns over Alberta public sector cuts during town hall

Municipal funding

Municipal funding from the province decreased in the budget, meaning that Calgary and Edmonton had to make cuts, raise taxes, or both.

• Under new budget, median household will pay $150 more in property tax
• Slash, tax or make do: Edmonton council looks at options after Alberta budget

The budget also reduced funding for Calgary's Green Line, offering up just 14 per cent of the project's expected funding for the next four years with the remainder promised for future years.

• Green Line future at risk after 86% cut in provincial funding over next 4 years
• Tempers flare as committee weighs future of Green Line

City officials unveiled a revised plan in January that will have a shorter tunnel downtown to keep the budget on track.

• Calgary's green line will have a shorter tunnel downtown to keep budget on track
• Calgarians get more time for input on Green Line route changes

Calgary's police faced a $13-million reduction to the service's 2019 budget. The province will keep a greater share of revenues from traffic tickets at a rate of $10 million a year and will charge police for forensic testing at a cost of $2 million. A reduction in cannabis tax revenues will cost Calgary police approximately $1 million per year.

Funding was eventually maintained due to Calgary city council's decision to approve a 1.5 per cent tax hike on Nov. 29.

• Police hit hard by provincial budget cuts for Calgary
• Here's how much money Calgary police actually get from the province

Edmonton city jobs were also on the line as council weighed its options.

• Edmonton city jobs on the line as council seeks ways to save money
• Council cuts property tax increase to 2.1% amid tough budget discussions

Health care 

Health-care spending in Alberta rose by $201 million to a total of $20.6 billion as a part of the UCP budget.

• Budget 2019: Health care spending up one per cent

The government increased funding in some areas, including $100 million on mental health, $40 million to fight opioid addiction and $20 million on palliative care over four years.

But the budget also revealed that indexing would be put on hold until the deficit was eliminated. That means Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Program (AISH) recipients who receive $1,685 each month will see approximately $35 less in purchasing power next year, depending on inflation. 

• 'It really upsets me': AISH recipients worry about halt to indexing
• 'Cruel' measure reduces support for young Albertans transitioning out of gov't care
• OPINION | Yes, Alberta's budget raises taxes. Yes, it cuts AISH. No, it's not 'austerity.'

The United Nurses of Alberta said Alberta Health Services was reducing staff by 750 front-line nurses.

• Alberta Health Services reducing staff by 750 front-line nurses, union says

Negotiations with the province's doctors fell apart in February, as Alberta ended its master agreement and announced new rules would be in place April 1.

• Alberta ends master agreement with doctors, new rules to be in place April 1
• Alberta doctors 'outraged' after government rips up contract, imposes new deal

Film, video games and tech

The budget eliminated a number of tax credits and grants that have made a significant impact on Alberta's gaming, film and tech industries.

The Alberta video game industry, which relied on the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit last year, now faces an uncertain future.

• B.C. gaming studio says Alberta budget throws wrench in Calgary expansion plans
• 'I felt betrayed': Gaming companies unsure of future in Alberta after tax credit axed
• Alberta's video game industry assesses future after tax credit axed

The film industry in Alberta was similarly rocked by the budget.

• Alberta filmmakers fear tax incentive cuts 'will ultimately destroy' industry

The government would go on, however, to launch a new tax credit in January, which would allow qualifying productions to apply for a tax credit of either 22 or 30 per cent.

• Alberta launches film industry tax credit program to replace cancelled grant

Five tax credits utilized by Calgary's tech scene — including the Alberta Investor Tax Credit (AITC) and the Capital Investment Tax Credit — were axed in the budget, and are expected to save $400 million by 2022-23, according to the government. 

That move has some local technology companies reconsidering their future in the province.

• Often cited as a 'gold mine' for alternative work, Alberta's tech sector now faces uncertain future

Alberta's economic development minister said a new panel report, dubbed the Innovation Capital Working Group, is due to report its finding on the province's technology scene back to government by Feb. 28.

• Alberta open to extending Feb. 28 deadline for high-tech panel report

Taxes

The Alberta budget slashes the corporate tax rate from 12 to eight per cent by 2022-23. It is part of a larger strategy to lure investment to the province. The small business tax rate remained at two per cent. The corporate tax rate only applies to businesses making more than $500,000 per year in profit.

• Why Alberta's corporate tax cut might not keep investment at home
• Alberta finance minister on defensive after 'job creation' tax cut spurs spending elsewhere
• Alberta looks to private sector and pipelines to deliver better times

Though the government said they would not increase tax, the amount Albertans will pay will effectively go up, as the amount residents are allowed to exempt will not increase.

The province is also increasing this year's education property tax, which will be passed on to municipal residents.

Justice system

The province's justice system is due to see some significant cuts and some funding bumps aligned with the UCP rural crime strategy.

• Wins and losses for justice system in UCP budget

Alberta Justice is also preparing to lay off 90 civil-law lawyers as its legal services division struggles to absorb a $20-million budget cut, according to an internal memo obtained by CBC News.

• Alberta Justice to lay off 90 civil lawyers, outsource more legal work to meet budget cuts

Other

There were a number of other cuts made by the Alberta government that do not fit under other categories. 

Alberta's Helitack-Rappel, or RAP program, enabled firefighters to rappel from helicopters to fight forest fires. That program was cut, garnering an annual savings of $1.4 million.

• Alberta ends program for firefighters rappelling from helicopters
• Forestry minister says cutting firefighting rappel program not a 'risky roll of the dice'

Alberta's Summer Temporary Employment Program was also axed as part of the budget, and will save about $32 million over four years, according to the budget.

• Eliminated summer employment program a surprise for students

Two child-care subsidies will also be cut by the Alberta government in January.

• 'It's tough': Alberta government to end 2 child-care subsidies at end of year

All told, Alberta's budget forecasts a return to a surplus of $584 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year. 

Did we miss anything? Send your tips to joel.dryden@cbc.ca