The provincial government is reaching out to Albertans, those invited anyway, to hear what we want to see in the 2012 budget. On November 1, 2 and 3, Finance Minister Ron Liepert and Deputy Premier Doug Horner visited Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Calgary for a series of invitation-only budget roundtables.

Treasury Board spokesperson John Tuckwell says selecting participants rather than opening the roundtables to the public was meant to restrict attendants to a manageable number, where everyone would have an opportunity to speak.

MLAs were asked to recommend people in their communities whom they thought represented a cross-section of their riding’s demographic make-up; “anyone from the soccer mom to the minister of the local church, and business people,” says Tuckwell. In an effort to limit input to purely personal, grassroots opinions, representatives of large organizations were not invited. Instead, they can submit written suggestions to the government.

The names of those invited to participate in the roundtables will not be made public, leading many to complain that the process reflects the same closed-door practices of the Conservatives, but disguised as open government.

For everyone else with budget ideas, there is an online survey available until December 9. The survey contains six questions asking respondents to decide whether Alberta should spend or save; which percentage of the budget should fund health, education, social services or agriculture; and to add any additional comments.

When asked about the survey’s scope, Tuckwell explained the government just wants Albertans to identify their priorities. “You could ask 100 questions, but we’re looking for that big picture.”

He says participants at the roundtables give health and education top priority, but also express a willingness to pay higher taxes in exchange for more accountable spending. Tuckwell adds no other roundtables are planned.