Calgary is one of the most dynamic cities in Canada. In population increase, economic growth and diversification, technological and scientific innovation, international partnerships, cultural and social vitality, and quality of life, Calgary is one of the leading cities in Canada, with virtually unlimited potential for the future. To deal with rapid growth, Calgary has faced a number of hurdles to address its need for adequate infrastructure. Yet one of the key ingredients for our future success is not growing to meet our city's current or future needs -- Calgary's post-secondary education institutions.

Population Growth

Calgary is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. In the last year, the city's population increased by 29,000 citizens. The average growth rate for Calgary's metropolitan area in the last five years has been 2.4% compared, for example, with Edmonton's 0.8% average annual growth rate for the same period.  It is expected that Calgary's population will grow to 834,000 next year, and that by 2008 it will have a population of 1 million. By next year, Calgary will have surpassed Edmonton to become the second largest metropolitan area west of Toronto, exceeded only by Vancouver.

Within Calgary's general growth trend is an expected increase in the number of 18 to 24 year-olds. This age group, which is particularly active in pursuing post-secondary education, is expected to grow by 31% in Calgary by 2005, compared with only a 13% increase in Edmonton for the same period. The expansion of the population will require a corresponding expansion of post-secondary resources to maintain Calgary's competitive edge economically and socially.

Economic Growth and Diversification

Calgary is not only growing in terms of its population, but in terms of its economy as well.  The Conference Board of Canada reported that Calgary's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 6.8% last year, and predicts that this year its GDP will increase by 4.9%. The Board also predicts that the growth of Calgary's GDP annually for the next five years will be at about 3.5%. Calgary will have the fastest growing GDP in the west and the third fastest in the nation, topped only by Toronto and Ottawa-Hull. According to the Board, much of Calgary's recent economic growth can be attributed to the diversification of its economy, especially into businesses based on technology and information. Not only is Calgary producing more, it is doing so in a greater variety of ways. Continued growth and diversification make Calgary an attractive city to new businesses and people.

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Calgary's recent success can be attributed to the diversification of its economy. It has expanded beyond its traditional main industries into information- and technology-based industries. It is estimated that 50% of all new jobs in Alberta today are based on technology and innovation businesses, and that there are approximately 1100 such businesses in Calgary alone. Post-secondary institutions are vital to the growth of this expanding sector of Calgary's economy.  Calgary's university, colleges and technical institute provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed by companies to compete effectively, and they conduct new research that enhances Calgary's reputation as a world-class technological and scientific city.

Calgary's technologically-based businesses rely on the skill and adaptability of their workers to be competitive. Post-secondary institutions in Calgary provide a wide variety of programs that produce technologically skilled and adaptable graduates, and are sensitive to changing market demands. For example, SAIT offers technological programs in high demand areas such as project management, software engineering and internet-network administration. There are also technology-based programs at both the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College. The demand for technologically skilled workers is increasing, with local businesses requiring 8000 post-secondary graduates in technological fields annually just to keep up with the 15% yearly growth rate of the technology and innovation sector of Calgary's economy.

Virtually every aspect of Calgary's dynamic and diversifying economy, from the oil sector to the movie industry, relies on post-secondary institutions for qualified workers and opportunities for continuous learning and upgrading of skills.  Without growth in post-secondary institutions, this crucial resource for Calgary businesses will not meet our community's needs, and shortages of qualified workers will swell.

In an economy that is fast becoming global rather than localized, technological and scientific research attracts attention and recognition to Calgary. For example, scientists at the University of Calgary are currently taking the lead role in planning a radio astronomy project that will involve experts from ten nations and create a radio telescope that will be a hundred times larger than the world's currently largest telescope. Our University's researchers are resources for our community, seeking answers to a wide variety of problems. Research directed toward preventing athletic injuries, improving survival chances in avalanches, examining the therapeutic use of music in healing, improving air quality in buildings, creating strategies to solve domestic violence, and examining ways to improve children's ability to learn are just a few examples of how university research improves our lives.

It is increasingly important for Calgary businesses to have the ability to cooperate and communicate with other nations and cultures. Knowledge about the language, culture and history of other nations and societies is essential so that successful alliances may be formed. Calgary's post-secondary researchers and teachers include experts in international relations and history, international law, languages, and religious and social customs throughout the world.  They provide essential advice and support to governments as well as private and non-profit organizations working in these other countries, simultaneously increasing the prominence of Calgary and Canada throughout the world.

Technological and economic growth, while vital, are only two ways in which a world-class city grows and diversifies.  A rich cultural life and a healthy social infrastructure also do much to enhance the city's image and reputation, as well as improve the quality of life of Calgarians. Our post-secondary institutions contribute significantly to Calgary's cultural life and social infrastructure.

The talent and work of those who teach and learn in our post-secondary institutions augment the cultural scene in Calgary. The Alberta College of Art and Design, Mount Royal College, SAIT and the University of Calgary all have programs that develop the talents of creative and skilled actors, writers, artists, dancers, musicians, set designers and film makers who enliven and enrich our city with performances and displays.  A study conducted by the U of C revealed that the Faculty of Fine Arts produced about 50 art exhibitions, 42 drama productions, 80 music recitals and 18 dance performances in the course of a typical year. Calgary's flourishing cultural scene, enhanced greatly by post-secondary training, is a reflection of its dynamic and energetic nature.

Calgarians depend on the training given to graduates of their city's post-secondary institutions to improve the quality of their lives in various ways. As the population of Calgary continues to expand, so will the need for individuals trained in the fields such as medicine and health, children's services, social work, education, criminology, and recreation. Calgary will (more than ever) need educated people to help keep our citizens physically and mentally healthy and our surroundings safe.

The quality of life of the citizens of Calgary will also continue to depend on research done in the city's post-secondary institutions. Medical research is just one area where lives are improved in Calgary and around the world. For example, extensive research in arthritis and joint injuries will now be done at the University of Calgary, thanks to a combination of private, corporate and government grants. Arthritis and joint injuries affected 50,000 Calgarians last year, and 10,000 of those needed surgery treatment. New research will improve the lives of those afflicted.

Meanwhile, medical and biochemical researchers at the U of C have made major breakthroughs that could lead to new treatments for diabetes and cancer.  Continued research will not only lengthen lives, but will also improve the quality of life in later years.

Calgary's economic, cultural, and social prosperity depends on its post-secondary institutions. To generate the new knowledge and highly skilled graduates that Calgary needs as it continues to expand, post-secondary institutions require adequate funding and support to continue their essential work. Although the private sector has increased its support to post-secondary institutions, this has only made up for a small amount of the decreased support from government. Lack of government support has slowed the growth and compromised the quality of Calgary's post-secondary institutions at a time when there should be reinvestment to complement the overall growth of our community. Adequate
provincial funding and support are crucial to realize the full potential of the benefits our post-secondary institutions can provide. Calgary's future depends on post-secondary education, and the future of the post-secondary institutions depends on the support of Calgarians.

SEE GRAPHS

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