The spring sitting of the legislature was opened on Tuesday with a throne speech that promises smarter spending through zero-based budgets and predictable spending.
"It's time for foundational change," said Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell. " "It won't be easy, but it is the right way to better manage the annual unpredictability in the budgeting process."
The speech outlined the government's priorities for the upcoming session.
Ethell said that they will phase in Zero-based budgeting over the next three years to keep program spending on track.
Zero-based budgeting starts from a "zero base" and every function within an organization is analyzed for its needs and costs and then budgets are built around what is needed for the upcoming period.
Ethell also announced that they will be enhancing post secondary institutions in an effort to increase the number of skilled workers in the province.
On the health care front, the conservatives say they will give more say to local health advisory councils and are starting three pilot projects this spring that will see teams of health professionals helping patients in family care clinics.
The Liberals are convinced that Redford will call an election in the next few weeks, even going so far as releasing their party's platform on Monday.
They say, if they're elected, that they will cap the transition allowances for MLAs, improve surgical wait times, and increase corporate taxes.
The party, led by former Tory Raj Sherman, also says they'll work to forgive student loans for students who stay in the province to work.
Meanwhile, NDP leader Brian Mason says his party will focus on re-regulating the energy market in an attempt to drop the cost of power bills.
Finance Minister Ron Liepert will present the budget on Thursday and it is expected that Redford will drop the writ soon after.
(With files for The Canadian press)
