Since becoming a full member of Canada in 1905 Alberta has gained in prominence and stature. Its two largest cities, CALGARY and EDMONTON, have become important players in the oil and gas industry. Calgary has become an important financial center, with many head offices locating there. Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, has become the Gateway to Canada's North. Calgary is the gateway to Rocky Mountain recreation. Edmonton is northern Alberta's cultural and academic center. Edmonton hosted the Commonwealth and University Games. Calgary hosted the Winter Olympic Games. And both cities have an extensive park system.
No matter how far Alberta moves into the future, Alberta's roots remain firmly planted in rural Alberta. Many of Alberta's urban ancestors are immigrants that worked the land as farmers. They came here at the turn of the century from Europe and settled the rural parts of Alberta. Even today Alberta is pioneering the future.
Alberta is a major international player in the oil and gas industry as well as agriculture and ranching. Alberta exports grain and natural gas to markets through out the world. Looking to the future, Alberta is expanding markets in many science and technological areas. In the past few years, Alberta's premiers have many business junkets to Japan, Mexico, Asia, and other countries.
To aid its improvements in technological advancements, Alberta supports many advanced technical schools and universities. Many graduates are recruited worldwide.
Alberta has an extensive hospital and emergency service network. Hospitals are found in many rural and urban centers. Health care in Alberta is publicly funded.

Major Cities

Alberta has more than its share of cities with large populations. Two cities, CALGARY and EDMONTON, have metropolitan areas with over 700,000 residents. And there are five cities with populations over 40,000 residents. If you were to look at a map, you'd see that the cities are spread throughout Alberta. Alberta's total population, based on censuses taken from 1991 to 1994, was over 2.6 million residents.

Major Center	Population	Center	Population
Airdrie	27,069	Banff	7,615
Brooks	11,604	Calgary	956,078
Camrose	15,850	Canmore	7,161
Cold Lake	11,595	Drumheller	6,277
Edmonton	712,391	Fort MacMurray	34,706
Fort Saskatchewan	14,685	Grande Praire	44,631
Leduc	15,630	Lethbridge	77,202
Lloydminster	15,487	Medicine Hat	56,048
Red Deer	79,082	Spruce Grove	18,405
Saint Albert	56,310	Wetaskiwin	10,771

Alberta's Positive Business Climate

The Alberta Government's economic strategy builds on these natural advantages by ensuring that a positive business climate exists in Alberta to encourage investors to invest and businesses to compete and succeed.

Alberta's positive business climate includes:

the lowest overall taxes in Canada;

the lowest provincial personal tax rates in Canada;

no provincial sales tax (the only province in Canada without one);

no general capital or payroll taxes;

competitive corporate and small business tax rates;

streamlined regulations to improve the competitiveness of Alberta companies;

a balanced provincial budget, demonstrating to investors the responsible, business-like attitude of the government;

research and development spending that is among the highest per capita in Canada;

world class infrastructure to support business, including transportation, telecommunications, and utilities, as well as excellent hospitals, schools and post secondary education.

The Economic Results

Alberta has had the fastest growing economy in Canada over the past five years (an average of 3.4% per year) and economic experts expect this performance to continue in the future;

Building on its strengths in natural resources, Alberta has experienced rapid growth in such industries as petrochemicals, forest products, telecommunications, tourism, and business services;

In 1996, average employment gains in the Alberta economy increased by 40,000 over 1995;

Alberta consistently has the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada;

Alberta has the highest investment per capita in Canada (a total of $19.7 billion in 1996, and a projected $22.7 billion for 1997);

In 1995, Alberta exported over $29 billion worth of goods and services, an increase of 16.8% over 1994.

The Economic Results

Alberta has had the fastest growing economy in Canada over the past five years (an average of 3.4% per year) and economic experts expect this performance to continue in the future;

Building on its strengths in natural resources, Alberta has experienced rapid growth in such industries as petrochemicals, forest products, telecommunications, tourism, and business services;

Alberta consistently records the highest investment per capita among Canadian provinces, with a total of $60.3 billion in investment in 2005. In 2005, Alberta investment per capita was $18,520, more than double the national average

Alberta has the world’s second largest proven world reserves, falling behind Saudi Arabia, and ahead of Iran.

Unemployment was 3.9% in 2005, which was the lowest rate in Canada, an the lowest Alberta rate in 24 years.

Education

The Government of Alberta has made significant progress in addressing Alberta's Commission on Learning report by adding $551.1 million in new dollars that support the 87 accepted recommendations. This financial investment includes government's decision to accelerate the timeline to reduce jurisdiction class size averages and reach the Commission's class size guidelines two years earlier than recommended.

Support to the basic and post-secondary learning systems will increase to over $5.5 billion in 2004-05. It will increase further to more than $6.1 billion by 2006-07. Funding to the Kindergarten to Grade 12 learning system will total $4.0 billion this year. That represents an increase of about $305 million, or 8.3%, since April 2003. This includes new funding to reduce class sizes, which will grow to $149 million by 2006-07.