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

At Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG), we often talk about economic development, innovation, and regulatory frameworks.  But behind every policy discussion are real businesses – run by real people – who are directly impacted by those decisions. Alberta’s small and midsize manufacturers are among the most critical players in our economy; yet too often they operate in the background, unrecognized and underappreciated.

In 2023, Alberta’s manufacturing sector contributed $25.3 billion to the province’s real GDP, 7.6% of the total.  More importantly, it provided direct employment to 144,700 Albertans and supported another 274,300 jobs indirectly. That’s over 419,000 jobs, or 17.5% of total employment in Alberta. (Source)

These businesses span key subsectors – from food processing, fabricating metal and glass products to machinery, wood products, and chemicals.  They take Alberta’s raw resources and turn them into high-value, exportable goods.  They innovate, hire locally, train apprentices, and contribute to long-term economic diversification and community stability.

Like many industries, they also face real challenges; regulatory burdens, policy delays, and overlooked red tape that make it harder to grow, invest, or even survive.  That is why we need to remind every Albertan, policymakers, bureaucrats, and consumers alike, that our decisions matter.

To those shaping policy: before passing the next regulation or program, ask how it will affect Alberta’s small and mid-sized manufacturers.  Are we helping them compete, or adding another barrier?

To consumers: every time you make a purchase, think about where that product or part was made. Choosing locally manufactured goods supports friends, families, and neighbors who work in this vital sector.

Alberta’s manufacturing businesses don’t ask for special treatment, they ask for a fair shot. Let’s remember that a stronger manufacturing sector means a stronger Alberta.

For more insights into the state of manufacturing in our province and across Canada, visit Alberta Manufacturing Industry Profile, 2024.