Sep 23, 2010, Alberta to lead Canadian economy through 2011: TD report

The Prairies and Alberta in particular will have the best growth in Canada over this year and in 2011, says TD chief economist Craig Alexander.

He told the 2011 Economic Outlook, hosted by Calgary Economic Development, Thursday Alberta will post 2.8 per cent growth this year and more than three per cent next year, Nationally, the rate will be much lower.

His comments come on the heels of a forecast by the Conference Board of Canada that Calgary will lead the nation in economic growth between 2011 and 2014.

In its Metropolitan Outlook, the board said Calgary suffered through a significant downturn last year with the effects of the global financial crisis resulting in Real Gross Domestic Product declining by 4.5 per cent.The board said Calgary’s economy will rebound this year with 3.5 per cent growth then average 4.2 per cent growth each year between 2011 and 2014.For Calgary, population growth is forecast for 2.5 per cent this year.

By Dan Healing, Calgary Herald