S&P downgrades Alberta, cites fiscal uncertainty, debt

By Eric M. Johnson CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - S&P lowered its debt rating for Alberta To 'AA' From 'AA+' on Thursday, becoming the latest ratings agency to downgrade the Canadian province as it struggles with the impact of tumbling oil prices. The agency, which kept its negative outlook on Alberta, said the downgrade reflects the province's very weak budgetary performance and high, increasing debt burden. Standard & Poor's had stripped Alberta of its AAA credit rating in December.