Dates of Founding and/or Dissolution:
The Treasury Department existed in 1905, but was officially established by statute in 1906. Alberta Treasury was dissolved in 2001 with the creation of Alberta Finance and Alberta Revenue.
Functional Responsibility:
Alberta Treasury began when The Alberta Act, (R. S. Chapter 3, 1906) established the Province on September 1, 1905. In a proviso that existed in the federal statute, the Treasury Department that existed in the North West Territories was continued in the new Province. This Department was officially created by Alberta legislation in 1906, the Treasury Department Act (S.A. Chapter 5, 1906). Initially, the Treasury Department was charged with the overall management of revenue and expenditures for the Province. The Department also dealt with the Treasury Board, the Provincial Auditor and numerous provisions under the Act. The Treasury Department Act was repealed and replaced by the Financial Administration Act (S.A. Chapter 30, 1968).
The Department of Treasury's functions evolved to include provisions for strategic, financial, fiscal and management policy advice to government. Core functions included coordinating the government's business plans and integrating them with fiscal planning; preparing and monitoring the provincial budget; providing timely and full reporting of the Province's finances; providing financial standards and reporting; managing assets and liabilities; collecting taxes; and regulating the Province's financial marketplace. The main responsibility of the Treasury Department has been the management and control of government expenditure and revenue, which necessitates the presentation of a budget for the Government of Alberta at the beginning of each fiscal year. Many of these functions administered by the Department have become offices, branches and divisions within the Ministry.
The Provincial Audit Office existed in 1905 and at the time was considered a department. In the Treasury Department Act of 1906 it became known as The Provincial Auditor's Office. The Provincial Auditor's Office was considered a separate department until 1924, however the work performed by the Office was a function of the Treasury Department. At the end of the fiscal year the Provincial Auditor had to audit the accounts of each department and present the results to the Provincial Treasurer. The Provincial Auditor also formulated guidelines for all departmental accounts, which would later be approved by the Treasury Board. In 1968 the Provincial Auditor once again became a separate department.
The Treasury Board was created in the Treasury Department 1906 enabling legislation. The Treasury Board functioned to regulate the methods of bookkeeping used in certain areas of the Provincial Government, the issuance of warrants, as well the accounting and auditing of Public Accounts. The Financial Administration Act (S.A. Chapter 30, 1968) gave the Treasury Board more independence and increased powers. The Treasury Board now had the ability to determine its rules and methods of procedures. Under the 1906 enabling legislation the Treasury Board reports to the Provincial Treasurer. With the enactment of the 1968 enabling legislation, the Alberta Treasury Board began reporting to the Executive Council.
In 1910 the Provincial Loans Act addressed the management of the public debt and the raising of loans authorized by the Legislature. This allowed for the establishment of the Public Debt Branch in 1913. The function of borrowing of money for or by the Province was the chief responsibilities of the Treasury Department at this time.
The Savings Certificate Branch that was established under The Provincial Savings Certificates Act (S.A. Chapter 13,1917) and existed until 1935. The function of the Branch was to obtain money at a cheaper rate of interest than the prevalent rate and encourage savings. The Savings Certificate Branch preceded the creation of the Treasury Branches and the Alberta Investment Fund Corporation.
The Treasury Branches Act (S.A. Chapter 3, 1938), allowed the establishment and operation of branches of the Treasury Department in the Province under the authorization of the Minister. The Minister or Provincial Treasurer under the Act, could receive deposits and enter into contracts with depositors for their repayment. In 1940 the Act was amended giving the Provincial Treasurer the authority to make loans. It was 1941 before funds were available through the accumulation of balances in deposit accounts that allowed a loaning policy to be adopted.
By the mid-1960s, the Treasury Branch service had evolved to include term savings plans, the writing of fire and hail insurance, the issuance of motor vehicle and driver's licenses, fish and game licenses, the purchase and sale of stocks and bonds, including Canada Saving Bonds, complete foreign exchange service, the sale of American Express travellers' cheques, safety deposit boxes and safekeeping envelopes, money order service, collection service, telegraphic and mail transfers, utility bill payments, income tax and Canada pension plan remittances. Alberta Treasury Branches continue to be a provincial crown corporation with the Government of Alberta as sole share holder.
The Alberta Heritage Trust Fund was established in 1976 in recognition that the resource supply is limited and revenue must eventually decline. The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act (S.A. Chapter 2, 1976) was administered by Alberta Treasury until the dissolution of the Department in 2001. The Alberta Heritage Trust Fund was transferred to the jurisdiction of Alberta Revenue.
The Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation was established by The Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation Act (S.A. Chapter 3, 1956). The Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation functioned to provide financial services for municipalities and other authorized local authorities. The Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation was under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Treasurer from 1956 to 2001. In 2001 the Corporation was transferred to the jurisdiction of Alberta Finance.
The 1913 Alberta Insurance Act (S.A. Chapter 16, 1913) established the Superintendent of Insurance under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Treasurer. The Insurance Branch was added to the Department of Treasury at this time. The Superintendent of Insurance was responsible for the administration of the Alberta Insurance Act. The Act was created to regulate the insurance business in Alberta. Under this legislation the Superintendent of Insurance was charged with the general supervision of the business of insurance in Alberta. The Superintendent of Insurance functioned to ensure that the laws relating to the conduct of the business of insurance are enforced and obeyed. Insurance Companies within the Province of Alberta submitted financial reports annually. Insurance companies, agents, brokers and adjusters doing business in Alberta must be licensed under the Insurance Act. This function was transferred to the Department of the Provincial Secretary in 1937. In 1992 the function of regulating insurers was returned to Alberta Treasury. In 2001 this function was transferred to Alberta Finance.
The Alberta Automobile Insurance Board was established under An Act to Amend the Alberta Insurance Act (S.A. Chapter 53, 1971). The Alberta Automobile Insurance Board's primary function is to ensure the Alberta motoring public the availability of compulsory insurance at commercially competitive rates. The Board was empowered to investigate any Alberta automobile insurance matter including rates, benefits and availability of automobile insurance. When the Department of Consumer Affairs was dispersed in 1992, the Automobile Insurance Board was transferred to the jurisdiction of Alberta Treasury. In 2001 the Board became responsible to the Minister of Finance.
The Alberta Insurance Council became a provincial Crown-controlled corporation in 1997. The Alberta Insurance Council function is to ensure a fair and efficient marketplace for the distribution of insurance products. The Alberta Insurance Council is responsible for conducting examination, licensing, regulating and disciplining insurance agents, brokers and adjusters in Alberta and for investigating consumer complaints against the industry. In 2001, the Corporation became responsible to the Minister of Finance.
The Alberta Securities Commission upon its establishment was responsible to protect the public in its investments, as seen in The Securities Act (S.A. Chapter 64, 1955). In 1992 after the dispersal of the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Alberta Securities Commission began reporting to the Minister of Alberta Treasury. In 2001, after government reorganization, the Alberta Securities Commission began reporting to the Minister of Revenue.
Alberta Treasury managed the administration of telephones within the Province from 1914 to 1923. This resulted in the creation of the Telephone Branch. The General Office of the Provincial Auditor later absorbed the Telephone Branch.
The Treasury Department was charged with the administration of The Succession Duty Act (S.A. Chapter 12, 1914) which lead to the establishment of the Succession Duties Branch in 1914. The function became the responsibility of the Department of the Attorney General in 1921. The Branch ceased to exist provincially when the Federal Government took over the function in 1947.
The Attorney General began administrating Lunatics' Estates when the Insanity Act (S.A. Chapter 7, 1907) was amended. The Act made the Attorney General the guardian of the estates of insane persons. This function was transferred to the Provincial Treasurer in 1918 and remained under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Treasurer until 1921.
After being transferred from the jurisdiction of the Executive Council, The Queen's Printer reported to the Provincial Treasurer from 1924 to 1973. The function of the Queen's Printer is the printing and publication of Alberta Government documentation. In 1973 the Queen's Printer was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Public Affairs Bureau.
The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency was created to form a part of a department as seen in The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency Act (S.A. Chapter 7, 1939). The Agency functioned to acquire by purchase or otherwise all supplies which any department required. The Government Services Amendment Act, 1976, (S.A. Chapter 15, 1976) repealed The Alberta Government Purchasing Agency Act. The amendment gave the Department of Government Services the function of the Purchasing Agency and a Director of Purchases.
Treasury managed the function of fire prevention for a number of years. The Fire Prevention Branch was created by the Fire Prevention Act of 1916, (S.A. Chapter 23, 1916). The administration of the Act was transferred to Provincial Secretary in 1955 by Order in Council.
Managing the collection of taxes was one of the core functions of Alberta Treasury. Tax and Revenue Administration had numerous manifestations during the existence of the Department. The Income Tax Branch was created to administer The Income Tax Act (S.A. Chapter 5, 1932) and existed in the department from 1932 to 1950.
The Bureau of Statistics was transferred to Treasury in 1973. The Bureau of Statistics provided statistical information on economic and social conditions in the Province, collaborated with departments in the publication of related departmental statistical information and promoted and co-ordinated plans for the collection and integration of statistics pertaining to Alberta. The Bureau of Statistics ceased operation in 1993 as a result of a departmental reorganization.
The Alberta Resources Railway Corporation was created with the enactment of The Alberta Resources Railway Corporation Act (S.A. Chapter 2, 1965). The function of the Corporation was to construct railway service in areas where existing railway service was ineffective, where service could facilitate the movement of natural resources and where such a service would serve public interest. The general function of the Corporation was to construct, maintain and operate railways with the Province of Alberta. The Alberta Resources Railway Corporation reported to the Provincial Treasurer from 1965 until 1973.
The Alberta Government Pension Boards act independently of the Department, providing administrative services to the five Pension Plan Boards relative to hearing of appeals against decisions of the Minister of Pensions in relation to the administration of the pension plans. In 1996, the function of the Alberta Government Pension Board Plan evolved to become The Alberta Pensions Administration Corporation. The Alberta Pension Administration Corporation was transferred from the jurisdiction of Treasury to the jurisdiction of Alberta Finance in 2001.
At the end of the 20th century the Ministry was divided into Alberta Treasury and a number of agencies, boards and commissions. The Department was responsible for overseeing government performance measurement, financial management and reporting. The Department also held responsibility for fiscal planning, intergovernmental fiscal arrangements, tax policy, tax administration, economic analysis, statistics, public pensions, regulation of private sector pensions, and administrative and financial services regulation. The other agencies, boards and commissions that reported to Alberta Treasury supported or complemented these functions. Alberta Treasury functional responsibility was rooted in the administration of a great number of Alberta Statutes. Much of the powers and duties were delegated to divisions or branches within the organization. The number of Acts that the Department administered varied from year to year.
Predecessor and Successor Bodies:
In 2001, the new government structure created several new departments from functions of existing ones. Alberta Treasury became two new departments, Alberta Finance and Alberta Revenue. Alberta Finance took on all the functions related to financial management and planning. Alberta Revenue took on the remaining functions of Alberta Treasury.
In 2004 Alberta Revenue was disbanded and its responsibilities transferred to Alberta Finance. In 2008 Alberta Finance was dissolved and its responsibilities were transferred to Alberta Finance and Enterprise.
Administrative Relationships:
The Provincial Treasurer is a member of the Executive Council appointed by the Premier to head the Alberta Treasury. The Provincial Treasurer reports to the Legislative Assembly for the Department. The Provincial Treasurer received reports from other agencies, boards, councils, and institutes within the reporting structure of Alberta Treasury.
Administrative Structure:
The head of the Department was the Provincial Treasurer. From 1906 to 1913 the Treasury Department consisted of The Treasurer, the Auditor and the Treasury Board and necessary staff. In 1913 three Branches were added to the department, The Legal Branch, the Insurance Branch, and the Public Debt Branch. By the end of the 20th Century the Department of Treasury consists of two main functional areas. The Office of Budget and Management that included Budget and Business Planning, Budget Planning and Integration, Performance Measurement, Tax and Pensions, Accounting, Economics and Public Finance and Financial and Reporting Standards. The Finance and Revenue Area included Banking and Case Management, Finance Planning and Analysis, Investment Management, Loans and Guarantees, Revenue, and Risk Management and Insurance.
The Department had three major points of restructuring. In 1923 the Treasury Department underwent its first reorganization to streamline cost, deal with the changing structure and expanding services. The Treasury Department and the Auditor's Department were combined to eliminate duplication. In 1968 the complete organizational structure changed, although there were minimal changes in the responsibilities of the Department. This was the year the Financial Administration Act replaced the Treasury Department Act. At this point the Auditor once again became separate from the Treasury Department. The Treasury Board gained more independence and worked more closely with the Executive Council. Alberta Treasury was reviewed in 1993, which resulted in an amendment to the Financial Administration Act. By the year 2000 the Department had eight divisions.
Names of the Corporate bodies:
The Treasury Department was also known in later annual report as Alberta Treasury.
Names of Chief Officers:
Provincial Treasures for the Province of Alberta
Alexander C. Rutherford (1905-1910)
Arthur L. Sifton (1910-1912)
Malcolm Mackenzie (1912-1913)
Authur L. Sifton (1913-1913)
Charles R. Mitchell (1913-1921)
Herbert Greenfield (1921-1923)
Richard G. Ried (1923-1934)
John R. Love (1934-1935)
Charles Cockroft (1935-1937)
Solon E. Low (1937-1944)
Ernest C. Manning (1944-1954)
Clarence E. Gerhart (1954-1955)
Edgar W. Hinman (1955-1964)
Anders O. Aalborg (1964-1971)
Gordon T. W. Miniel (1971-1975)
Clarence M. Leitch (1975-1979)
Louis D. Hyndman (1979-1986)
Archibald D. Johnston (1986-1992)
James F. Dinning (1992-1997)
Stockwell B. Day (1997-2000)
Stephen C. West (2000-2001)
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