Rob Miyashiro, Lethbridge-West’s NDP MLA, takes aim at 2025 budget

Rob Miyashiro, NDP MLA for Lethbridge-West, says the provincial government's 2025 budget failed to meet the needs of all Albertans.

Alberta’s Official Opposition is reacting to last week’s provincial budget.

Lethbridge-West MLA Rob Miyashiro says the budget fails to meet the needs of all Albertans.

Miyashiro says the NDP wanted to see funding for more jobs and to help reduce the cost of living.

He says while it’s good Lethbridge was mentioned in the budget, some areas were announced in prior budgets.

“If you want a deficit for $5 billion and you want to have a fully functional health-care system and fully supported educational system where kids are being educated and supported and the buildings are safe, great—go after it,” Miyashiro said.

“But if you have a $5-billion deficit and you’re not providing all of those services that people need, then that’s when you really have to ask the question about what the priorities of this government are.”

In 2024, the province held a $4.6-billion surplus.

The government is bracing for a $5.2-billion deficit based on tariffs imposed by the U.S.