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If there were any doubts that Albertans are the hardest working Canadians, a new Fraser Institute study puts them to rest.

The study by Philip Cross, a former chief economic analyst at Statistics Canada, shows Albertans work longer weeks than other Canadians and are frequently encouraged to delay their retirements.

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Nearly 30% of Albertans work “exceptionally long” weeks of 50 hours or more, a trend being led by workers age 55 and older, says the study, released Thursday.

More than a third of Albertans between 65 and 69 — and one in 10 aged 70 and older — have jobs, the study found.

“Those are startling statistics, and much higher than we’re seeing in the rest of the country,” Cross said in an interview.

His report examines labour trends across the country. Its title, in part, is Do Labour Shortages Exist in Canada? The answer for Alberta — and Saskatchewan — is an emphatic yes, Cross said.

The two provinces have labour issues that are not appreciated by “mainstream economists” in Central Canada, he said.