--- title: "Alberta's economy relies on immigration, chamber report states" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states" category: "Politics" published: "2026-10-08T20:45:53.008Z" source_reported: "2026-10-08T17:48:25.000Z" updated: "2026-10-08T20:45:53.008Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-08T23:00:18.949861+00:00" --- # Alberta's economy relies on immigration, chamber report states *A new report highlights the link between attracting newcomers and economic growth ahead of a provincial referendum.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and supported by a named economist. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The report is clearly written and separates fact from comment, but lacks quotes from those affected. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate to the story's content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Alberta's economic prospects are tied to its ability to attract new residents, according to a Calgary Chamber of Commerce report. - Half of the 10 questions in the upcoming Alberta referendum concern immigration. - Polling by the chamber indicates 47 per cent of its members believe immigration policy changes would negatively impact their businesses. - Immigrants contributed $4.1 billion in personal income taxes in Alberta in 2026, the chamber reported. Alberta's economic future depends on attracting newcomers, according to a report from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. The report was released 11 days before a provincial referendum on 19 October 2026. While much attention has focused on the question of Alberta's place within Canada, half of the 10 referendum questions address immigration. The chamber commissioned polling which suggests 47 per cent of its members believe recent or proposed changes to immigration policies would harm their businesses. Eleven per cent of members believe such changes would help their businesses. The chamber stated that when businesses cannot find the workers and skills they need, projects are delayed and expansion plans are postponed. The survey also indicated that more than half of the chamber's members oppose Alberta taking more control over immigration and limiting eligibility for provincially funded programs. Businesses are concerned that proposed government fees could be passed on to them as employers, increasing labour costs. The report argued that immigration will be a primary source of labour-force growth. It noted that Alberta competes with other provinces and countries for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investment. Access to services like healthcare and education can influence where workers and their families choose to live, and policies that make it harder to establish a life in Alberta could impede employers' ability to attract and retain talent. The chamber highlighted that immigrants contributed $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026 and also bring international business connections and market knowledge. University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe provided an economic analysis for the chamber. He stated that, on average, each migrant arriving in Alberta brings approximately $220,000 worth of taxpayer-funded education from elsewhere. Tombe added that the benefit of these skills being deployed in Alberta's economy, without the province having paid for their education, means the gap between the cost of social services and the benefit is not close. He also noted that as young people form the largest segment of new migrants, they do not place a large demand on the healthcare system. ## Referendum questions on immigration The first referendum question asks if Albertans support the province taking increased control over immigration to decrease it to more "sustainable levels." Voters are also asked about limiting eligibility for provincial services such as healthcare and education based on immigration status. Other questions address requiring non-permanent residents to live in the province for one year before becoming eligible for social supports, charging a "reasonable" fee for these individuals to access provincial services, and requiring proof of citizenship to vote. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mention the figure of $1.900, which Premier Danielle Smith told Calgary business leaders could be the cost of a potential new health premium. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (3) - Centre: 50% (3) - Right: 0% (0) 3 of 9 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-08T23:00:18.949861+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 10 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-08T23:15:11.147Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Reports from The Toronto Star, Rocky Mountain Outlook, and thealbertan.com highlighted the Calgary Chamber of Commerce's assertion that Alberta's economic prospects depend on attracting newcomers. These reports noted that half of the 10 referendum questions centre on immigration and mentioned the chamber's polling data showing a significant percentage of members believe immigration policy changes would hurt their businesses. They also included the chamber's statement that immigrants contributed $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026. ### Centre - Reports from Narcity, Canadian Manufacturing, and Winnipeg Free Press led with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce's conclusion that Alberta's economic prospects hinge on attracting new residents. These outlets mentioned the upcoming referendum and that half of its questions relate to immigration. They also included details from the chamber's polling, such as 47 per cent of members expecting negative impacts from immigration policy changes, and the chamber's statement on immigrants' $4.1 billion contribution to Alberta personal income taxes in 2026. Narcity, which provided a full report, also detailed the specific referendum questions and quoted chamber CEO Deborah Yedlin. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 4 - unknown: 3 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/alberta-news/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears-12872709) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [Canadian Manufacturing](https://canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/alta-s-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-report-322018) — Alta.'s Economic Prospects Depend On Immigration: Calgary Chamber Of Commerce Report - [Narcity](https://narcity.com/albertas-economy-depends-on-immigration-chamber) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/10/08/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/alberta/alberta-s-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears/article_d4a79c19-2622-5d2a-b96a-65dbf396a095.html) — Alberta’s economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/alberta-news/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears-12872709) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears) — Alberta’s economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/national-business/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears-12872705) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears - [Western Investor](https://westerninvestor.com/national-business/albertas-economic-prospects-depend-on-immigration-chamber-says-as-referendum-nears-12872722) — Alberta's economic prospects depend on immigration, chamber says as referendum nears ## Questions **What is the Calgary Chamber of Commerce's main point about Alberta's economy?** The Calgary Chamber of Commerce stated in a report that Alberta's economic prospects depend on its ability to attract newcomers into the workforce. This is linked to the province's long-term competitiveness and economic growth. **How many questions in the Alberta referendum are about immigration?** Half of the 10 questions in the upcoming Alberta referendum centre on immigration. These questions cover topics such as the province taking increased control over immigration and eligibility for provincial services. **What do Alberta businesses think about immigration policy changes?** Polling commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce suggests 47 per cent of its members believe recent or proposed changes to immigration policies would hurt their business. Eleven per cent believe such changes would help. **What is the economic contribution of immigrants to Alberta?** The chamber highlighted that immigrants contributed $4.1 billion in Alberta personal income taxes in 2026. Economist Trevor Tombe also stated that, on average, each migrant brings about $220,000 worth of taxpayer-funded education from elsewhere. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Alberta's economy relies on immigration, chamber report states", https://mediabias.news/politics/albertas-economy-relies-on-immigration-chamber-report-states