Bank of Canada Review (Spring 2005): 5-17. 2  BIS Review 6/2006  The energy-producing provinces of Western Canada are certainly benefiting from higher prices for raw materials and from surging oil and gas revenues. The result is increased profits and investment, strong growth in output and employment, and fiscal surpluses. But the sudden rapid economic expansion is straining the region's infrastructure.
And it is creating labour shortages, not just in the energy sector but also in mining, manufacturing, and construction—all of which are competing for the same pool of labour, especially skilled labour. Certain professions (notably accountants, engineers, and project managers) are also in short supply.