Alberta is still an amazing place to live.  Close to the Rockies, free market spirit low taxes and friendly people galore.  The downturn is already swinging back.  You have to remember that unemployment rates are "the number of people looking for work".  Alberta at 10% is still way better than Ontario at 7% because that number does not include "people unemployed but NOT looking for work".  Look at the figures for average income and disposable income...in 2016 Alberta still is way way higher than Ontario and Quebec.  But believe what you want.  I lived in Toronto for 4 years and would never take T.O. over Calgary or Edmonton to raise a family.