Economy at a glance, Alberta PDF
Preview Economy at a glance, Alberta
► January 1995 CONTENTS Premier's Message 1 Alberta Facts at a G lance — 1 993 2 Highlights 3 The Province 5 The Economy 9 Opportunity Industries — R esources, Manufacturing, Advanced Technology, Services 18 30 Alberta's Commitment to the Private Sector Trade and Investment Opportunities 32 Regional Offices 33 Printed in Canada January 1995 Economy at a G lance, 1991 - Edmonton; Alberta, Economic Development and Tourism, tables, figs. Annual ISSN 1188-2484 1. Alberta — E conomic Conditions 2. Economy CAjNAtM<U^ PREMIER’S MAY i 199$ MESSAGE These pages present the highlights of one of the most dynamic economies in North America, In fact, over the past two decades Alberta’s Gross Domestic Prod- uct has, in real terms, more than doubled in size. Even more significantly, the Alberta economy is more diverse today than ever before. Economy at a G lance provides an overview of the structure of the Alberta econpmy and looks at the province’s competitive advantages, including: our productive workforce, opportunity industries, progress toward sustainable development, favourable tax regime, commitment to free enterprise, and success in the international marketplace. As you read through this booklet, you will find that Alberta offers investors and entrepreneurs a d iverse range of oppor- tunities from food processing and forestry to advanced technologies and oil and gas. You will also find a g overnment that works in partnership with business, industry, and the research and educa- tional communities to shape Alberta’s future through a v ibrant economy, and enviable quality of life. ALBERTA FACTS AT A GLANCE - 1993 Area 661,185 Square Kilometres Population (September 1994) 2,687,100 Median Age (Years) 30.3 The Economy — 1993 Gross Domestic Product (Market Prices) $78,495 Million Private and Public Investment $20,374 Million Total Value of Mineral Production $18,796 Million Crude Oil $10,129 Million Natural Gas $6,692 Million Natural Gas By-Products $1,422 Million Coal $554 Million Total Manufacturing Shipments $21,269 Million Food & B everage $5,450 Million Refined Petroleum Products $3,206 Million Petrochemicals & P lastics $3,645 Million Fabricated Metal Products $1,039 Million Pulp & P aper Products $946 Million Primary Metals $1,064 Million Lumber & W ood Products $1,375 Million Industrial Machinery $964 Million Printing & P ublishing $729 Million Construction Materials $671 Million Electronics $835 Million Other $1,345 Million Total International Merchandise Exports $19,689 Million Total International Services Exports $1,895 Million Tourism Receipts $3,030 Million Farm Cash Receipts $5,027 Million Housing Starts 18,151 Units Labour Force 1,384,000 Employment 1,269,000 Source: Alberta Economic Development & T ourism, Adapted from Statistics Canada, ASIST, Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Agriculture, October 1994 HIGHLIGHTS One of the most dynamic business regions in North America, Alberta offers superb prospects for trade and invest- ment. With a G ross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated at over $78 billion (1993), the province has the fourth largest economy in Canada. In real terms, the size of the Alberta economy has more than doubled since 1971, while the population has increased by 64% to more than 2.6 million. This performance is all the more noteworthy in light of the province’s youth. A f rontier territory 150 years ago, Alberta has experienced a remarkable transformation, emerging today as a highly developed and technologically advanced region. • Its major centres of Edmonton and Calgary rank respectively as the fourth and fifth largest cities in Canada. • Alberta has a comprehensive post- secondary education system of univer- sities, public and vocational colleges, education councils and technical institutes. The University of Alberta in Edmonton and The University of Calgary are recognized as major research universities in Canada. • A w orkforce of more than 1.3 million people is among the most highly educated in North America. • Alberta is rich in natural resources, which include vast forests, immense energy reserves, and abundant fresh- water. Alberta offers internationally recog- nized tourism destinations, natural scenic beauty, diversity of landscapes and friendly, safe cities. Environmental responsibility is a provincial priority; Alberta has led the country in setting environmental policies and standards. Centres of Advanced Technology are located throughout the province to expedite the development and com- mercialization oaf dvanced products and processes. A h ighly developed communications system includes the world’s largest general mobile network and provides globally integrated voice and data links. Among all Canadian provinces, Alberta consistently records the highest per capita level of investment. International exports of Alberta produced goods and services amounted to more than $21.5 billion in 1993, accounting for approximately 27% of the province’s GDP. The province’s location, combined with an efficient, multi-modal transporta- tion infrastructure, gives Alberta-based companies a competitive advantage in servicing the Western Canadian and U.S. markets. Alberta’s business climate is character- ized by p olitical stability and the cooperation and support of a g overn- ment committed to free enterprise. THE PROVINCE The westernmost of Canada’s three prairie provinces, Alberta lies between the 49th and 60th parallels, virtually the same latitudes as those bounding the United Kingdom. Nearly equal in size to the state of Texas, the province covers an area of some 661,000 square kilometres (255,000 square miles). Alberta’s location has significant advantages for accessing the western Canadian and United States markets. Among all major distribution centres in Western Canada, Calgary and Edmonton provide excellent access — a t a l ow, competitive cost — t o the western provinces, Northern Canada, the Pacific Northwest, California, and the Midwest States. 5 Human Resources With two-thirds of the population under the age of 40, the province has one of the youngest populations in the industrial- ized world. This is in part due to the high level of international and interprovincial migration to Alberta over the past 20 years. Many new citizens, drawn from around the world by opportunities within the province, contribute to Alberta’s multicultural diversity. Albertans are among the best edu- cated people in North America, with more than 40% of the workforce holding a p ost-secondary certificate, diploma or university degree. The Alberta govern- ment recognizes that an educated population is essential to a t echnologi- cally oriented society. • Per capita productivity is the highest in Canada. As measured by GDP, this was $29,487 in 1993 - 1 9% higher than the national average. • Alberta consistently has one of the best labour records of any province in Canada in terms of fewest workdays lost due to strikes. • The province has Canada’s highest labour force participation rate. Of every 1,000 working-age Albertans, 715 were in the labour force in 1993, compared to the national average of 652. Progress Toward Sustainable Development Alberta’s natural endowment includes a productive agricultural land base, vast forests, immense energy reserves, and abundant freshwater supplies. While dedicated to developing these natural resources, the province remains firmly committed to environmentally sustain- Labour Record 1985 - 1 993 (Number of Person Days Lost Due to Work Stoppages Per 10,000 Work Days) Source: Statistics Canada & H uman Resources Development Canada Average Weekly Wages for Manufacturing Sector (Excluding Overtime, Annually) 1993 * Figures expressed in Canadian dollars based on exchange rate of 76 cents. Source: Statistics Canada able growth. Alberta recently passed the comprehensive Environmental Protec- tion and Enhancement Act which was drafted with extensive public consulta- tion and input. The basic principles and policies providing the framework for this legislation will ensure the protection, improvement and wise use of our envi- ronment into the 21st century. Alberta has been the leader in Canada in setting environmental policies and standards. • The province’s Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Natural Resources Conservation Board ensure the respon- sible management and development of our renewable and non-renewable resources. • Alberta has adopted new Sulphur Recovery Requirements in cooperation with the oil and gas industry that have reduced sulphur emissions to virtually zero. • The province has developed the most comprehensive hazardous waste disposal system in North America — the first of its kind in Canada. • Alberta is a l eader in sustainable forestry, with both government and industry taking a p roactive stance in moving from the traditional “logging of forests” to ecosystem management. • Alberta’s national parks and provincial system of protected lands make up more than 77,000 square kilometres, or 11% of the province, and are protected by legislation. • The Alberta Environmental Research Centre is a w orld-class facility in applied environmental research, technology development, and related services. 8
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