Our Alberta Advantage

THE FILM-MAKING CONTINUES

We have a few more interviews to do with Albertan's around the Edmonton area. We then have some background shoots to re-do.

Editing is also underway. A sample of the introduction will soon be available on this site.


These are the main points that the documentary is examining:

1) In the mid 1990s, Alberta set up specific policies on tax levels and government fiscal responsibility to try and improve the economy. These policies developed an atmosphere that welcomed investment.

2) Investors took interest in Alberta and the inflow of capital revived the economy making Alberta into one of the leading economic performers in North America. This performance peaked in 2006 at levels that were comparable to the Chinese economy (According to Stats Canada).

3) Starting in 2007, Alberta's economy has seen a fairly sharp cooling off marked by a drop in license acquisitions for energy resource development, falling house prices and other indicators. What makes this slowdown of note is that energy prices have risen to exceptionally high levels during the time that Alberta's economy has softened.

4) What is the cause of this counter-intuitive economic pull back? Could it be high resource development costs in Alberta? Could it be the shortage of labor?

The documentary examines these and other possible causes for Alberta's slow down.

The conclusion reached is that the only reasonable cause is the province's adoption of the Alberta Royalty Review Proposals that will significantly add to the cost load on resource development. This has stripped the province of the advantage it enjoyed in attracting new investment.

The documentary also examines the possible future for Alberta after the new royalty rates take effect on Jan 1st 2009.

Call 403-528-3738 to support this project.