BY SHONDELL SABAD, SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR AT THE ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

As we wake up this morning to a newly elected Prime Minister, the country finds itself at the dawn of a new beginning.  Some will be celebrating, others lamenting – such is the nature of democracy. And because I’m writing this before the election results are known, I’ll say this: no matter who wins, we all need to wake up with hope and a sense of responsibility.

Regardless of the outcome, our work remains the same. Building strong businesses, strong communities, and a strong country. For inspiration, we need look no further than California.

Much like Alberta, California faces significant headwinds: high taxes, a heavy regulatory burden, and an aggressive climate agenda. Yet, against all odds – and against years of predictions that California’s economy would crumble – the opposite has happened.

Today, California stands proudly as the 4th largest economy in the world, surpassing Japan, with a GDP of approximately $4.2 trillion USD and a GDP per capita of around $106,000, one of the highest in the world and double that of Alberta’s $52,000. Even more remarkable, California’s economy grew by about 6% in 2024 – at a time when many other regions struggled.

You can read more about California’s achievement here.

California’s success is a powerful reminder: challenges do not dictate outcomes – action does.
Resilience, innovation, and belief in possibility are stronger than the obstacles we face.

Alberta, too, has everything it needs to thrive. Like California, we have an entrepreneurial spirit, natural resources, world-class talent, and the capacity to innovate beyond traditional sectors. If we focus on those strengths – if we lead with hope instead of fear – we can grow our economy, improve our communities, and shape the future on our own terms.

Today is a new day. Let’s get to work.

Footnote – All GDP figures, growth rates, and GDP per capita statistics referenced are in nominal terms (not adjusted for inflation). Sources: California Today, Governor of California Official Statement, and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data on 2024 GDP and state-level comparison