Deputy Prime Minister and federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled the 2024 budget yesterday (April 16), and Alberta's provincial government didn't hold back with their reaction.

Finance Minister Nate Horner delivered the province's response to the budget and opened by stating that the feds had "poured gasoline on the inflation crisis in Canada."

Horner warned that the budget would only worsen Canadians' struggles with the cost of living, citing an increase to the carbon tax combined with an increase in corporate tax.

"The budget has an increase to the carbon tax, which will drive up costs on home heating, groceries, goods, and services across society. Increased taxes will cause those costs to be passed onto consumers and further increase costs for Canadians. As we grapple with an affordability crisis, the federal government is only making the problem worse."

The province's response also branded the spending in the budget as irresponsible.

It includes over $8.5 billion to combat the housing crisis, a $6 billion Canada Disability Benefit, and $500 million for youth mental health.

The budget will post a deficit of nearly $40 billion.

"They are trying to bribe Canadians with the deficit, fueling inflation that is hurting all Canadians. Their theme was supposedly intergenerational fairness, and yet they're saddling younger generations with their tenth consecutive deficit and increased levels of debt," said Horner.

He also took the opportunity to tout Alberta's balanced budget in contrast to the federal deficit.

"Alberta was one of only two provinces to balance the budget this year. With the changes to the tax code, we're seeing that the government is stifling economic growth and it spends recklessly without a glimpse at a plan to return to balance. Their economic projections are painting a rosier picture than can be expected, especially given their new changes to taxation."

Horner did mention one highlight.

"One place that I was happy to see was they came out with five billion in spending on an Indigenous government-backed loan guarantee program that kind of mirrors our AIOC program... They made clear that that investment could be made in natural resources and energy investment, so I think that's a positive."

The province's full response can be seen below.