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The Alberta Investor Tax Credit, which starts next January and lasts until the end of 2018, will help these operations hire staff, rent office space and buy equipment.

“Energy will always be a key strength in our economy, but we all know that Alberta must take action on diversifying our economy.”

Most other provinces already have similar programs.

A new survey from ATB Financial indicates staffing is the biggest issue aside from sales keeping the owners of small- and medium-sized Alberta businesses awake at night.

About 18 per cent of respondents mentioned concerns about being able to keep everyone on the job and busy, pending layoffs and meeting payroll.

Wildrose Party jobs critic Grant Hunter said the tax credit is better than offering grants, which would allow the government to pick winners and losers.

But he’s concerned Alberta’s projected $10.4-billion deficit and the carbon tax make it less likely companies will expand.

The free market should decide how the economy grows, he said.

“The government has a noble goal, to diversify the economy, but I don’t know if I have seen a precedent where it worked,” Hunter said.

“The economy in Alberta has been diversifying quite well … If you have a robust economy, business owners take a look at where they can invest their money, then you see diversification as society and purchasers see fit.”

The investor tax credit is part of a $250-million jobs, investment and diversification package outlined in last week’s provincial budget.