Inflation: Alberta's Loss is Saskatchewan's Gain

Filed in archive Economic Outlook on December 29, 2006

As you might know I live in Edmonton, Alberta.

I also lived in Calgary for 5 years and can say that Calgary and Edmonton are very different, Calgary is more a white collar town while Edmonton is a blue collar community.

I loved living in Calgary, we moved from Calgary in 1985 to be closer to my wife's family in Edmonton and I am happy we made the move. The quality of life is pretty great but I feel the impact on our cost of living every month.

We have experienced significant inflation here in Alberta, for example housing prices have increased 40% in a single year. This creates all sorts of challenges for people looking to live here and many are moving to Saskatchewan as an alternative.

"Despite Alberta's booming economy, many people are moving out of the province" Statistics Canada said. "While the majority of those leaving Alberta went to British Columbia, departures from Alberta have benefited Saskatchewan the most," said Statistics Canada, as the flow of 2,400 Albertans eastward in the third quarter of 2005 gushed to 3,700 in the latest period. Via Alberta's Loss is Sask.'s Gain