And these figures don't take into account the further economic spin-offs that come from oil sands production, offshore development and the export sector. The effects of this key sector are especially evident here in Alberta, where our production accounts for 70 per cent of all energy produced in Canada and 80 per cent of the country's natural gas. Alberta is also home to the largest oil sands reserves in the world. The resource sector has been a dynamic driving force behind the Alberta economy for more than half a century. More than 30 per cent of investment in Alberta is in the energy industry and it accounts for nearly half of the total capital spending.
Energy provides jobs directly or indirectly for an important portion of our work force.
And those jobs are not limited by our borders. Alberta's energy companies are working on virtually every continent and ocean. And while it's true that we've been blessed with a remarkable bounty of natural resources - there's more to the Alberta Advantage than oil and gas reserves. Albertans come from a pioneering spirit and tradition - a willingness to challenge past limitations, set off toward new horizons and get things done. So Albertans rolled up their sleeves and got to work.