Alberta
2019 Canada Winter Games wraps up in Red Deer
Two weeks of sport excellence and cultural celebrations wrapped up Saturday night with the Closing Ceremony of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta. Since February 15, over 3,600 participants, 5,000 volunteers and 20,000 visitors enjoyed 19 sports and 10 nights of cultural entertainment as part of Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth.
“For the past two weeks, Red Deer and central Alberta have celebrated and enjoyed Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event,” said Lyn Radford, 2019 Games Board Chair. “Since we were awarded the Games in 2014, we have been focused on delivering a life-shaping Games experience for athletes, spectators and the community. As the Games comes to a close, I am proud to share we delivered on our vision thanks to the dedication of the volunteers, sponsors, and staff. Thank you to everyone who made this a moment to remember.”
“On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I congratulate all the athletes—as well as the coaches, officials and all those who supported them—on their performances, and wish them the very best in their future endeavors,” said the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, federal minister of Science and Sport. “Thank you also to all the organizers and volunteers for your exceptional efforts in contributing to this tremendous event.“
“Alberta has been extremely proud to host the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Congratulations to all our young athletes, coaches and mission staff on their outstanding performances at the 2019 Canada Winter Games,” said Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, responsible for sport in Alberta. “Congratulations, too, to the Canada Winter Games Host Society, The City of Red Deer and the more than 5,000 volunteers for putting on an exceptional event. This has truly been a team effort. Thank you for being tremendous ambassadors of our province.”
“On behalf of Red Deer City Council, The City of Red Deer and the citizens of our community, it has been a privilege to welcome our nation to Red Deer for the 2019 Canada Winter Games,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “We have been reminded that the maple leaf is unwavering in its ability to bring our country together.”
“Congratulations to the Host Society, volunteers and, of course, the athletes who wowed us with their commitment to excellence and sportsmanship,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council. “Because of everyone’s hard work and key partnerships, the Games in Red Deer will leave a lasting legacy of new and enhanced sport facilities, downtown revitalization, social legacy projects and a community pride that will benefit athletes and the broader central Alberta community for years to come.”
For more information on the 2019 Canada Winter Games, visit canadagames.ca/2019.
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:
“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.
“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.
“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.
“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.
“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.
“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”
From the Fraser Institute
By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.
Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.
In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.
Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.
The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.
Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.
Jock Finlayson
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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