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CALGARY
Calgary, one of Alberta’s two most popular cities with immigrants,
has something in common with Montreal: it has hosted an Olympic Games.
Beyond that, however, it is the differences rather than similarities
that are more apparent. MontrĂ©alers are polite, Calgary’s people are
friendly. Montréalers turn maniacs behind the wheel; in Calgary,
drivers show extreme courtesy. If ever there was an award to pick the
friendliest city in Canada, Calgary would be right up there.
There is perhaps a reason for this. For the longest time, Calgary
was the country’s “cattle town”, home to many big ranches and meat
processing centres. The oil boom of the 1960’s would change all that.
Alberta produces almost all of Canada’s oil, and the new dynamics
transformed the city into a bustling, modern city. The sprawling, open
lands were quickly covered with high-rises, modern roads, office
skyscrapers and all the trappings of a booming economy.
Job opportunities abounded and Calgary became a major draw for new
immigrants. By 1996, some 15 per cent of Alberta’s
population was immigrant, more than half of whom made Calgary their
home.
According to some estimates, 80 per cent of Canada’s oil companies
have offices in Calgary. But it is by no means a one-industry town.
Aided by the business-friendly policies of the Alberta government,
major high-tech and financial companies among others have flocked to
Calgary. The economy continues to look good; and with salaries high and
taxes low, Calgary is an attractive proposition for new immigrants.
On the down side, the cost of living in Calgary is also fairly
high. Housing prices are on the upswing and families with
university-going children will feel the pinch with fees close to those
in Ontario. While one in six Alberta residents is an immigrant, the
province does not offer quite the same level of multiculturalism as
Ontario or British Columbia. This may make assimilation a little more
challenging for non-European immigrants.
Overall rating: 6/10
Plus: Bright economic outlook (especially in the high-tech,
financial and oil sectors), low tax rates, business-friendly policies,
excellent education system, very friendly and outgoing people
Minus: Cost of living fairly high, higher education is expensive,
temperatures on the cooler side (even in summer), not too many social
and cultural facilities for non-European immigrants
Major newspapers: Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun
Area code: 403
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