Alberta poised for speedy post-flood recovery
by The Canadian Press
Rebuilding efforts and increased government spending could actually boost Alberta's GDP
TORONTO—TD Bank says Alberta’s economy will likely be quick to rebound from the flooding that has swamped Calgary and other parts of the province, although it says there are several unpredictable factors that could affect the recovery.
The bank’s economic unit estimates that between $500 million and $1.5 billion will be subtracted from Alberta’s output this month—about 0.3 per cent of the province’s GDP—but predicts that shortfall will be made up in July.
The annual Calgary Stampede will be a wild card, it says, because flood damage to Calgary hotels may limit the number of visitors to the city, though that could be offset by increased support from Calgary residents.
On the whole, TD expects the flooding will have little impact on Alberta’s oil and gas industry, which accounts for about 29 per cent of the provincial economy.
It says Alberta’s retail, wholesale, rail and utility services will likely suffer the biggest economic fallout from the floods.
TD Economics also says rebuilding efforts and increased government spending could actually boost Alberta’s gross domestic product in the latter half of 2013.
As a result, the bank is increasing its growth forecast for the Alberta economy by half a percentage point to three per cent in 2013 and to between 3.5 and 3.7 per cent in 2014 from the 3.3 per cent it predicted earlier.
