Along with my wife - who grew up in Springbank - I moved to Alberta 1.5 years ago, with the intention to settle here permanently even though it meant I’d have to leave my old occupation behind. Unfortunately, I was ignorant of just how much Alberta’s economy was suffering. Like so many Albertans, I’ve had trouble finding decent work. But I am still trying hard to find a full-time job, even if it's one that is not an ideal fit for me.
I’ll be the first to admit that I am largely ignorant of politics on all levels. But having spent the last 12 years in a number of cities throughout Ontario and Nova Scotia, a question has come to mind. My wife and I, up until we came to Alberta, made our living as animators within Canada’s animation industry. These types of jobs are fairly abundant within British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. By comparison, there is, essentially, no animation industry within Alberta (or Saskatchewan, Manitoba, most of the Maritmes). I am led to believe that companies that would require the use of an animator are influenced to set up shop in these provinces (BC, ON, QC, NS) due to the offering of financial incentives. I don’t pretend to know the fine details, but the general premise is that the province says, “If you establish your business in our province, and you hire local people, we’ll give you a good deal on the taxes you’ll need to pay.” Apparently, companies find offers such as these to be very attractive, as there are so many companies - from the huge to the tiny - taking advantage of the situation within the aforementioned provinces.
It's not that Canadian animation is a perfect industry - far from it - but I have to wonder if Alberta has ever attempted to make itself attractive to industries that are not currently established within Alberta. Whether Oil & Gas is thriving and in a healthy state of being or not, why wouldn’t Alberta want to actively attract a variety of industry? Or am I missing something? Does Alberta have similar incentives in place, but for some reason no industries are biting?
I am only using animation as one example of an industry that could be attracted into to Alberta. There are certainly many other industries that could fit in to this beautiful, capable province. I would be glad to hear what any of the more educated readers out there have to say on this.
Fraser Sunderland
