April 29, 2025
Things in the world may seem chaotic and unstable right now, but Alberta’s economy is proving to be a cornerstone of Canada’s economic activity.
Alberta, home to approximately 12% of Canada’s population, contributed more than 15.4% of Canada’s GDP in 2023. While no one knows what will happen to the global economy as a result of the tariff crisis imposed by US President Trump, with a strong digital economy, Alberta may weather this crisis better than other Canadian provinces.
Canada’s productivity lags behind that of other industrialized nations, but Alberta is investing in digital transformation and could set an example of what can be achieved for Canadian society if Canadian policymakers and industries follow suit. It’s all about investment and innovation. The province’s productivity rates are well above the national average, and its information and communications sector is among the most productive.

Resilience and Innovation
Alberta offers real flexibility in managing its economy and remains a major contributor to the country’s economic growth. It is one of Canada’s most productive regions. While the oil and gas industry remains the primary driver of economic output, Alberta’s provincial government has been keen to diversify its economy, as the energy transition will, sooner or later, shrink this sector. This has resulted in high-value, technology-intensive industries receiving investment and support.
In recent years, Alberta’s digital economy has seen significant transformation and growth across all sectors. More than 60,000 jobs have been created, an increase of nearly 36% compared to pre-COVID levels, contributing to a rise in employment across Canada. While the motivation has been to reduce reliance on oil and gas, environmental activists have expressed concern that the digital economy could also be extremely energy-hungry if it is not developed sustainably.
Data Centers and Resources
Data centers require water, digital infrastructure, and electricity. Canada’s cool climate reduces the need for cooling, and up to 85% of Canada’s electricity is renewable and non-emission.
However, Alberta is focusing on attracting IT giants based on its near-term electricity supply, fueled by a mix of new gas-fired power plants and renewable energy.
Amazon has invested in a major data center in Calgary to establish a cloud computing hub in the region. Montreal-based eStruxtures Data Centers is building a new $750 million AI facility in Rocky View.
Alberta’s electricity sector is deregulated, meaning developers can negotiate directly with private power generators like Capital Power or TransAlta to design customized electricity supply solutions.

AI is Everywhere
Data centers and AI operations are becoming vital to virtually every industry. Delegates at recent economic conferences, from the internet to telecommunications, risk management, and fashion, reported more panel discussions on AI than any other field.
This is reminiscent of the metaverse hype a few years ago. How can anyone forget that in an alternate universe, we would be doing everything, moving freely without any movement?
However, AI and digital services are far less exotic, and many of us are already using them without necessarily realizing it. It is integrated into most online platforms and services.
Digital-Based Industries
Some industries have become entirely digital and would not exist without data centers, cloud computing, information technology, and electronics. The e-sports and e-entertainment industry is a prime example of this.
