Alberta
Canadian Finals Rodeo 49 Wraps Up with Record-Breaking Success
As we bid adieu to the exhilarating 49th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) powered by ATB, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community of Central Alberta and rodeo enthusiasts for their unwavering support throughout this incredible event. This year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Red Deer shattered all previous records with an astounding 37,000 tickets sold. The highly anticipated Cabaret, featuring a post-rodeo party showcasing the CFR All Star Band of incredibly talented musicians, was a resounding success, drawing in an impressive crowd of 13,000 attendees.
The Ropin’ into the Holiday Market, featuring 99 trade show vendors, added an extra layer of excitement and variety to the CFR experience. Attendees were treated to a diverse array of offerings, from western apparel to equine, making for a memorable shopping experience. This bustling market also drew in community members who may not have been initially there for the rodeo, further enhancing the sense of community engagement and enjoyment.
Apart from the thrilling rodeo action, attendees were also treated to exciting activities free of charge in the CFR Experience Arena throughout all five days of CFR. This included Ultimate Bullfighting and Equine Equus
Experiences, the Miss Rodeo Canada Horsemanship competition, Canadian Championship Dummy Roping, the Futurity Canadian Made Bucking Horse Sale, the H Bar Auctions Horsemanship Show and Sale, and to cap it all off, the Mini Chuckwagons entertained with a morning of races!
In addition to these remarkable achievements, the Rotary Club of Red Deer hosted an electrifying 50/50 event, where one lucky winner walked away with an astonishing $99,537.50 in prize money. These outstanding achievements have solidified this year’s CFR as the event with the highest attendance ever recorded in Red Deer’s CFR history.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their invaluable contributions played a pivotal role in making this year’s CFR an unforgettable experience for all involved. A special thank you is owed to the dedicated staff and volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into crafting an exceptional guest experience. Over 3,000 volunteer hours were logged, with the tireless efforts of 400 volunteers ensuring that every aspect of the event ran seamlessly.
In the spirit of giving back, the Westerner Park team was proud to present a donation of $6,615.00 to the Benevolent Rodeo Fund. This contribution exemplifies our commitment to supporting the rodeo community and its
members in times of need.
For a comprehensive overview of the rodeo results, we invite enthusiasts to visit crfreddeer.com. Here, you can find detailed information on the incredible performances and accomplishments of our talented rodeo
competitors.
Once again, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in making CFR 49 a resounding success. The combined efforts of the community, sponsors, staff, volunteers, vendors, and attendees have left an indelible mark, and we look forward to building upon this support for future events at Westerner Park.
About Westerner Park
Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,500 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
Amid the economic uncertainty fuelled by Trump’s trade war, its perhaps more important than ever to understand Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and its outsized contribution to programs such as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
From 1981 to 2022, Albertan’s net contribution to the CPP—meaning the amount Albertans paid into the program over and above what retirees in Alberta received in CPP payments—was $53.6 billion. In 2022 (the latest year of available data), Albertans’ net contribution to the CPP was $3.0 billion.
During that same period (1981 to 2022), British Columbia was the only other province where residents paid more into the CPP than retirees received in benefits—and Alberta’s contribution was six times greater than B.C.’s contribution. Put differently, residents in seven out of the nine provinces that participate in the CPP (Quebec has its own plan) receive more back in benefits than they contribute to the program.
Albertans pay an outsized contribution to federal and national programs, including the CPP because of the province’s relatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes and younger population (i.e. more workers pay into the CPP and less retirees take from it).
Put simply, Albertan workers have been helping fund the retirement of Canadians from coast to coast for decades, and without Alberta, the CPP would look much different.
How different?
If Alberta withdrew from the CPP and established its own standalone provincial pension plan, Alberta workers would receive the same retirement benefits but at a lower cost (i.e. lower CPP contribution rate deducted from our paycheques) than other Canadians, while the contribution rate—essentially the CPP tax rate—to fund the program would likely need to increase for the rest of the country to maintain the same benefits.
And given current demographic projections, immigration patterns and Alberta’s long history of leading the provinces in economic growth, Albertan workers will likely continue to pay more into the CPP than Albertan retirees get back from it.
Therefore, considering Alberta’s crucial role in national programs, the next federal government—whoever that may be—should undo and prevent policies that negatively impact the province and Albertans ability to contribute to Canada. Think of Bill C-69 (which imposes complex, uncertain and onerous review requirements on major energy projects), Bill C-48 (which bans large oil tankers off B.C.’s northern coast and limits access to Asian markets), an arbitrary cap on oil and gas emissions, numerous other “net-zero” targets, and so on.
Canada faces serious economic challenges, including a trade war with the United States. In times like this, it’s important to remember Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and the outsized contributions of Alberta workers to the wellbeing of Canadians across the country.
Show your Alberta side. Buy Local. |
When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.
Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.
The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.
“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.
Quick facts
- This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
- In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
- Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
- Made in Alberta product catalogue website
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