We are lowering our long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the Province of Alberta to 'AA+' from 'AAA'. We are also lowering our 'AAA' senior unsecured debt rating on Alberta Capital Finance Authority to 'AA+' from 'AAA'. The downgrade reflects our view of Alberta's projected oil price-driven weak budgetary performances in the next two years; moderate, but rapidly rising, tax-supported debt burden; and now-average economic prospects. The stable outlook reflects our expectations that the province's liquidity will continue to be exceptional in the next two years, real GDP growth will be positive in 2016 and 2017, and that the debt burden will remain moderate despite large deficit-driven increases in fiscal years 2016-2018. On Dec. 18, 2015, Standard
