ALBERTA, CANADA
GET TO KNOW ALBERTA, CANADA
Alberta has a lot to offer. Oil, gas, and coal are the province's largest industries, generating jobs and well-being for most of the 4 million Albertans. But the agriculture industry also plays a big role in impacting positively the economies of both the province and the nation.
Let’s not forget a public health system with the largest public funding allocation in the country, an education system that provides free and quality education. All these traits and many others have made Alberta into one of the most attractive destinations.
ALBERTA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS
The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program offers candidates who desire to live in the province as permanent residents three streams to submit their application:
1. The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS).
2. The Alberta Express Entry Stream.
3. The Self-Employed Farmer Stream.
Let's take a look at this province and the multiple benefits it offers.
WHERE IS ALBERTA LOCATED?
The province of Alberta is located in the western sector of the country. To the north, Alberta borders with the Northwest Territories, to the south it borders with Montana, to the east with Saskatchewan, and British Columbia lies in the west.
When exploring immigration destinations to Canada, Alberta cannot be overlooked. The province has been often compared to Texas, because of its equivalent size, the richness of its natural resources, its strong oil and agricultural industry, and the Cowboy lifestyle; and even though these likenesses exist, there is so much more than Alberta has to offer.
WHAT IS ALBERTA KNOWN FOR?
The province has five national parks and 76 provincial parks.
Alberta took its name from the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.
The phrase “Trick or Treat” was created in Alberta.
More than 80% of the residents do some kind of volunteer work.
The minimun salary in Alberta is $ 15.00 per hour (Canadian Dollar)
THE MOST IMPORTANT CITIES OF ALBERTA
Edmonton is the capital and second-largest city of Alberta, with over a million residents. Located in the center of the province, alongside the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the core of the Metropolitan Region.
Known as the "Gateway to the North," Edmonton serves as a hub of operations for the oil, petrochemical, and gas industries, as well as subindustries like finance, transportation, manufacturing, tourism, and technology, among others. Also, Edmonton serves as the center of operations for all the provincial government and public administration activities.
The city is a culturally diverse melting pot of nationalities, ethnicities, from immigrants from Northern and Eastern Europe, Asians, Vietnamese and other groups. This multiculturalism has created a metropolis where several religions, foods, cultures, and traditions cohabit and thrive.
Speaking of culture, Edmonton is known for the variety of its artistic offers, from natural history museums to arts, music, and nightlife centers. Often referred to as "Canada's Festival City," Edmonton is home to a myriad of music, sports, theater and culinary festivals, which are held throughout the year.
Located in the south, just 300 kilometers from Edmonton, rests Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, with a population of 1,285,711.
The city is the administrative headquarter of the oil industry, as well as many other service businesses such as transportation, insurance, banking, and finance. Calgary is also home to the film and television industries.
For the past two years, Calgary has been named the most livable city in North America.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index, the city got an overall score of 97.5 out of 100, achieving perfect numbers in the following categories: stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Calgary flaunts a strong transportation system, including buses, light urban rail systems, as well as bike and walking pathways. Its proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes Calgary the perfect destination to practice winter sports.
The city has also a vibrant cultural and artistic agenda, including film, theater, and music festivals. But no event in Calgary matches the clout, fame, and prestige of the Calgary Stampede, a worldwide renowned 10-day festival held every July, which includes rodeo events, music concerts, parades, and many other activities. An unforgettable experience that puts Calgary in the top of mind of many tourists and local citizens alike.
EMPLOYMENT IN ALBERTA
The economy of the province of Alberta is characterized by having the largest oil reserve in the country, as well as important reserves of natural gas and coal, Alberta is the largest producer of energy and oil in Canada. These industries create the majority of employment opportunities in the province.
Alberta's agricultural industry has also a great impact on the creation of jobs and growth of the province's Gross Domestic Product. The province has more than 700,000 farmers and over 21 million hectares of the agricultural land base.
Since June 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is set at $15 per hour, and employees are entitled to a weekly minimum wage of $598.
WHAT DOES ALBERTA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COVER?
Alberta's health care system is funded by the Canadian federal government, through a system called Alberta Health Services, which provides services and health care to all residents.
The province has the best public spending on health in the country per capita, with over 45% of all government resources invested in the health system, equivalent to approximately $60 million per day
EDUCATION IN ALBERTA
Like other provinces in Canada, education in Alberta is public and its funding is the responsibility of the provincial government and the local public school boards.
The funds to finance post-secondary education come partially from provincial funds and tuition fees and other sources. The province's three main universities, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, are public institutions offering top-rated undergraduate and graduate programs.
THE ECONOMY IN ALBERTA
The economy of the province of Alberta is characterized by having the largest oil reserve in the country, as well as important reserves of natural gas and coal, Alberta is the largest producer of energy and oil in Canada. These industries create the majority of employment opportunities in the province.
Alberta's agricultural industry has also a great impact on the creation of jobs and growth of the province's Gross Domestic Product. The province has more than 700,000 farmers and over 21 million hectares of the agricultural land base.
Since June 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is set at $15 per hour, and employees are entitled to a weekly minimum wage of $598.
TOURISM IN ALBERTA
From the Rocky Mountains to glaciers, deserts, prairies, and crystal-clear lakes, Alberta offers a variety of landscapes and environments which will take the breath away from even the most skeptical.
Alberta has four national parks, but Banff is the most iconic of the lot. It was the first national park established in Canada, and today is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within Banff Park, the activates and recreational options are both diverse and unlimited, including horseback riding, a ski and snowboard resort for winter sports enthusiasts, sledding, yoga festivals, and one of the nation's most famous races, the Melissa's Road Race.
For dinosaur lovers, Southern Alberta has an offering of exciting activities. This region is home to the Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. At Drumheller, people can see a replica of the largest dinosaur in the world.
To the north, unforgettable skies are brightened by the Northern Lights at the Wood Buffalo National Park. From the most enjoyable summers practicing golf or fishing to the winters skating, riding snowmobiles, or ice fishing, there are activities for all tastes and ages.
NEWS RELATED TO THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
ALBERTA ELIMINATED THE LIST OF APPROVED STUDIES FOR THE OPPORTUNITY STREAM