A Strong Economy

That work begins with maintaining and building on a strong economic base.

This government recognizes that a strong economy is not an end in itself; rather, it is a means to achieve the things that matter most to Albertans. A growing and diversified economy supports investments to make our health and education systems the best they can be. It creates good jobs that allow people to provide for their families. It sustains the arts and cultural communities that add so much to our quality of life.

A strong economy begins with a solid fiscal plan. The government pledges that it will stay the course of its fiscal plan - a plan that has brought Alberta away from deficit and debt and into the security and prosperity the province now enjoys. It's a plan to keep taxes the lowest in Canada, ensure that spending is responsible and affordable, and eliminate the debt. It's a plan that will give Alberta's children a gift we all hope to be able to bestow: a future with limitless possibilities.

A foundation of Alberta's economy will continue to be its modern transportation infrastructure. The government will make strategic investments to improve the safety and efficiency of Alberta's roads and highways.

This year, an additional 35 kilometers of the North-South Trade Corridor will be twinned, bringing the total number of twinned kilometers to 860 of the 1200 that will in time make up the corridor. When completed in 2007, the corridor will link Alberta to a continental trade and tourism route through the western United States and Mexico.

The government will continue to provide business and investment programs, especially in conjunction with the 2001 World Championships in Athletics. These programs will focus on the strategic benefits of investing in Alberta and demonstrate the province's diverse and world-class energy, petrochemical, forest and building products, agriculture and food, tourism, and information and communications technology sectors.

Alberta benefits tremendously from its participation in a free energy market. At the same time, the government will take steps to ensure a reliable, ample and affordable energy supply within the province.

Legislation will be introduced this session to put into law a commitment to help protect Albertans from high natural gas prices. This bill will ensure that Alberta consumers have a competitive natural gas service that maintains the Alberta Advantage.

The government will work to reduce and stabilize electricity prices by streamlining the approval process to bring new generation projects on-stream. The government will continue to address electricity price concerns and other consumer issues with the advice of the newly created Government Advisory Council on Electricity.