Alberta

Northern Alberta's oil sands account for 21% of Canada's crude oil production and 38% of Alberta's conventional oil and gas activity. The North has 90% of Alberta's forests. Pulp and paper mills and sawmills in the region produce standard and specialty products, principally for international markets.

The North produces over 40% of Canada's forage seed. Canola, peas and honey are also important crops.

A diversified livestock industry includes cattle, hogs, bison and elk. Hunting, fishing, water sports, camping and eco-adventure tourism attracts people from across Canada and around the world.

Contact

  • Executive Director
  • Northern Alberta Development Council
  • Bag 900-14
  • Peace River, AB T8S 1T4
  • Tel: (780) 624-6277
  • Fax: (780) 624-6184

Population

  • 1996 - 265,000 (NADC region)
  • Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
  • (includes Fort McMurray) - 35,200
  • Grande Prairie - 31,100
  • Hinton - 9,900
  • Cold Lake - 8,300
  • Whitecourt - 7,800 - website
  • Edson - 7,400 - website
  • Slave Lake - 6,600
  • Peace River - 6,500
  • Bonnyville - 5,100
  • St. Paul - 4,800
  • High Level - 3,100

Key Linkages

  • Highway - Primary and secondary highways (Highways: 2, 16, 28, 32, 34, 35, 40, 41, 43, 49, 58, 63 and 88)
  • Railway - 2 major railways - CN's east-west mainline system (Jasper-Edmonton-Wainwright) and Alberta RaiLink system (Hay River to Smith, Lynton to Boyle and Rycroft to Swan Landing)
  • Airports - Regular scheduled service to Edmonton (Grande Prairie, Rainbow Lake, High Level, Peace River, Fort McMurray)

Major Industries

  • Oil and gas (exploration, production, pipelines)
  • Forestry (logging, wood processing, pulp and paper)
  • Mining (coal)
  • Agriculture (cattle farms, grain and seeds)
  • Tourism (parks, summer and winter activities)
  • Other (manufacturing, construction, transportation)

Tourism Attractions

  • National and provincial parks
  • Industry tours and interpretive centres
  • Oilsands Interpretive Centre (Ft. McMurray)
  • forestry
  • agriculture

Main Trading Partners

  • United States
  • Pacific Rim countries
  • Japan
  • China
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Canada

New Opportunities

  • Up to $20-billion in new oilsands developments have been announced for northeastern Alberta
  • Diamond exploration
  • Silica development
  • Value-added industries related to agriculture and forestry
  • Improved telecommunications in remote areas
  • Tourism (Aboriginal, wilderness and eco-tourism)
  • Further development and use of Northwest Transportation Corridor