Alberta premier slams GTA home prices, cost of living in campaign to draw workers west
Toronto subway users may have found their station wrapped in photos of the Rocky Mountains Wednesday morning, the latest ploy by the Alberta government to entice Ontarians to its own province.
Premier Jason Kenney and two MLAs set up a news conference at a subway station at Yonge and Dundas in Toronto to unveil the next phase of a campaign called "Alberta is Calling."
"We have become victims of our own success," said Highwood MLA R.J. Sigurdson, touting the Alberta economy. "We have more jobs than we have qualified people to fill them. In fact, industry leaders tell us there are over 100,000 job openings right now in our province."
Kenney referenced a recent survey that found one in four Canadian millennials had given up the dream of owning a home. Those in Ontario were least able to imagine becoming homeowners.
According to Kenney, a detached home on average costs $1.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area, compared to $425,000 in Calgary and $360,000 in Edmonton.
"That dream is alive and well in Alberta," he commented.
In August, the Alberta government launched the campaign to bait skilled workers from Toronto and Vancouver – especially in the health-care sector, but also in trades and technology – with lower taxes, home prices, and costs of living.
This second phase will also include a newspaper wrap and billboards in Vancouver.
For months, Alberta's health-care system has struggled to cover absences due to illness, vacation and leave. Emergency and obstetric departments in smaller communities have been particularly affected. On Wednesday, 32 sites were offering limited services, according to Alberta Health Services.
- Project meant to draw physicians to rural Alta. has made 1 successful placement: government
- Bassano emergency room closing over long weekend due to lack of doctors
- Labour and delivery ward at Fort Saskatchewan hospital closing for second time
But Kenney did not draw special attention to the shortage of health-care workers on Wednesday, saying instead people were needed "right across the skill spectrum."
He also denied that an ongoing scandal – involving one of his ministers publicly thanking "freedom convoy" participants for protesting Canada's COVID-19 vaccine border requirements – would detract from Alberta's allure.
"I really don't think people are going to make life decisions based on whether they agree or disagree with one particular person in a different province," Kenney said of the criticism of his labour and immigration minister's comments.
"I actually think for a lot of Canadians who believed that governments went too far and too quickly in restricting people's lives, Alberta has been a magnet for a lot of people who value freedom."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.