GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key economic indicator that measures the total monetary
value of all final goods and services produced within a country or region in a given
period. It's calculated using three main methods, including the expenditure method, which
sums all spending on final goods and services. GDP helps economists and policymakers
understand the size and health of an economy.


In Canada the GDP was $1.2 Trillion in 2024. The following chart doesn't make sense
because it shows proportions by province but amounts in the hundreds of thousands
so I think it may reflect maybe transfer payments.


As it goes, provinces have varying degrees of production Ontario comes out on top with the Auto industry,
Steel, minerals mined and electricty generation, Quebec has Aluminum and electricity heading up their
line-up. Alberta and BC come in 3rd and fourth. Where things differ may be with the work force. In all
provinces except Alberta, the workers both work and live in the province. Alberta tends to bring in workers
from other provinces to meet needs when work is plentifull. Accomodation is in camps paid for by the
companies with meals provided and the workers send money home to their families and return when work slows
down. This trend props up the economies of the other provinces while hurting the bottomline of the
Oil and gas industry. Adding to the costs of operation is the steel drill stems, well heads forged and
built in Ontario and trucked to Alberta. So there is a wide ripple effect.

Alberta see's the regulatory restrictions from government stopping development and placing controls on it's
industry as a big problem. The money leaving the province is seen as fueling the economy of the other
provinces resulting in higher equalization payments and to slap further in face, Oil going south to the
USA at high discounted rates means Alberta makes far less than it should.

Another distinct advantage of the oil patch is the ability to earn lots of money for one’s family with little
to no education, strong back and a willingness to work can easily earn you 150k a year as a young person
fresh out of high school. Most companies will hire and train you with zero experience too, entry level jobs
pay well as a long as you’re willing to work hard and get dirty.

Amid the rhetoric of western alienation, possible separation from Canada, there needs to be a pause. If
Alberta were to separate, there would be shutdowns of most businesses for years, no Oil production, no
building new pipelines, no workers and no necessary supplies. Because everything would be under negotiation.
With a population of 4 million compared to Canada with 44 Million with Ontario and Quebec being the most populous
how could Alberta have any hope of survival. The First Nations own all land of Alberta and shares it with Canada
under treaty so as far as I can tell it's a non starter.