Jason Nixon takes over as Alberta finance minister

Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon is set to take on one of the Alberta government’s most senior cabinet posts as minister of finance and president of treasury board.

The widely rumoured move became official May 21 as Nixon was sworn in during a sweeping cabinet shuffle by Premier Danielle Smith.

Nixon replaces Nate Horner, who announced he will not seek re-election in 2027 and is stepping down from cabinet.

Hospitals Minister Matt Jones is also leaving cabinet and will not run again in 2027, though both MLAs say they plan to remain government backbenchers until the next election.

Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf will take over Nixon’s former role as minister of assisted living and social services.

Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange becomes minister of hospitals and surgical services, replacing Jones. Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright takes over from LaGrange as minister of primary and preventive health services.

Other changes include Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Tara Sawyer becoming minister of agriculture, while Leduc-Beaumont MLA Brandon Lunty was appointed chief government whip.

Inheriting a challenging budget

Alberta’s latest budget, tabled in March, projected a $9.4-billion deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, based partly on West Texas Intermediate oil averaging US$60.50 a barrel.

Smith said in March her long-term goal is to balance Alberta’s books even during periods of moderate oil prices.

“In about 10 years,” she said, “I’d like us to bring spending in line with the revenues generated by US$60-per-barrel oil.”

“But then when you have years where you have a surprise surge and you realize a surplus, that gives you an opportunity to support particular projects,” she added.

Since then, rising oil prices tied to conflict in the Middle East have improved Alberta’s fiscal outlook.

A recent report from the Business Council of Alberta suggested sustained higher oil prices could turn the projected $9.4-billion deficit into a $6-billion surplus.

As of May 21, West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at roughly US$100 a barrel.

You can read the BCA’s full May 13 report here.

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