Alberta government gives update on jobs plan

The Alberta government sees signs of an economic rebound and is claiming credit for the boost from its jobs plan and spending on infrastructure.

The government says the province added 25,000 jobs between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31.

However, Alberta's unemployment rate remains at more than eight per cent across the province. The jobless rate in Calgary rose to 10.2 per centin October, while Edmonton's ratefell to 6.9 per cent.

The government says it is on pace to spend a record amount on infrastructure this year as 367 major capital projects were underway at the end of August.

"We need to recognize Albertans are experiencing a very, very challenging time with the low price of oil," said Deron Bilous, minister of economic development and trade."Especially in Calgary, they've been hit fairly hard, which points to exactly the reason this ministry was created a little over a year ago to put a spotlight on the economy."

Alberta's economy as a whole is not as weak as, I think, people suppose it is- Trevor Tombe, University of Calgary economics professor

Bilous has rolled out a wide range of programs and incentives since the spring budget six months ago, such as the small brewers development program and the petrochemicals diversification program. New infrastructure projects added in the last year are estimated to create 10,000 jobs a year over the next three years.

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"The numbers are positive whenever we see moreAlbertansgetting back to work, but recognize that this is still a very challenging time," saidBilous.

Some highlights from the jobs plan update:

• Capital investment in manufacturing and service sectors is expected to reach a record high of just over $21 billion this year
• Government infrastructure spending to reach a record high this year of $11 billion
• Non-oil and gas investment (both private and public) to reach a record high of $38 billion this year
• About 2,700 student jobs supported this past summer with the reinstated summer temporary employment program

Too early to judge

The Alberta government's job estimates are realistic, said Trevor Tombe, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Calgary, after looking over an advanced copy of the government's report to be released Monday. Although he cautions it's too difficult to evaluate the government on its job creation programs right now.

"A lot of the larger scale infrastructure projects that the government has announced,like the cancer centre in Calgary, the ring road, things like that, haven't got off the ground just yet," said Tombe. "It's far too early to see any kind of government programs have an effect on the economy as a whole."

He also suggestsgovernment spending mayimprove the economy, but it won't save the day because there so many other impacts such as the value of the Canadian dollar and commodity prices.

The oil and gas industry is expected to invest $28 billion dollars this year in Alberta, less than half of the $61 billion spent in 2014.

"Investment has gone down, but it's still at a very high level," said Tombe. "Alberta's economy as a whole is not as weak as, I think, people suppose it is."

New tax credits

The government plans to roll out a pair of incentives soon to attract investment in Alberta companies through an investor tax credit and promote spending on new equipment and machinery through a capital investment tax credit.

Infrastructure spending remains the key part of the jobs plan, which some argue should be the priority.

"The best way for federal, provincial, and municipal governments to put people back to work in this province is through the investment in infrastructure that aligns with strategies to diversify the economy and build strong communities," said Mary Moran with Calgary Economic Development."Given the type of skilled workers now looking for jobs, this investment is critical for both the short and long-term impacts."

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