Agriculture

Economic Powerhouse
Northern Alberta contains 9% of the province’s population, and produces almost 35% of its total revenues. 

  • We produce 37% of Alberta’s natural gas and 52% of Alberta’s oil
  • In 2002, we exported $2.1 billion of forest products, 75% of the province’s total
  • Our agriculture exports in 2002 included $280 million of crops (19% of Alberta’s total), and $41 million of livestock (5% of the province’s total)
  • Almost 1.5 million visitors came to Northern Alberta in 2001, generating over
  • $251 million in revenues.
  • Our international exports in 2002 were over $16 billion, and interprovincial exports accounted for $5.3 billion in 2001

Rich in resources
The region’s economy benefits from our wealth of resources.

  • 60% of the province’s landmass
  • 83% of Alberta’s forests
  • 20% of Alberta’s agricultural land
  • 40% of Alberta's conventional oil and gas activity
  • 100% of Canada's oil sands mining development.

Diverse, young population
Northern Alberta is also rich in another kind of resource:  our people.

  • 350,000 people representing cultures from around the world, with an average age range of 25-44
  • 150 communities, spread across 380,000 km2 of forests, fields, foothills, rivers, and lakes
  • 3 cities, 24 towns, 24 First Nations communities, 8 Métis settlements, and a multitude of hamlets and summer villages

Affordable living
The cost of living in Northern Alberta is surprisingly agreeable.

  • A higher percentage of people here earn more than $45,000 per year than in other parts of Alberta
  • Our rates for natural gas, electric power, telephone and Internet service are very competitive with other regions in Alberta
  • One of our little known secrets is that recreational costs are often more affordable than in Canada's cities
  • There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta, and our business and income taxes are among the lowest in the country
  • Many Northern Albertans also benefit from the northern residents tax exemptions