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Jobs will be a key focus of the Alberta government’s spring session as the province struggles to attract investment in a sluggish economy.

Tuesday’s throne speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell, said the government will unveil a long-term blueprint for jobs that aims to make the province a “magnet” for investment and job creation. In January, Alberta’s unemployment rate increased to 7.3 per cent — and Edmonton’s to 8.2 per cent, the second-highest in the country — according to data from Statistics Canada.

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The jobs plan includes $6.4-billion in capital spending, though that is roughly $172 million less than projected in the fall budget.

Premier Jason Kenney said the plan will cut red tape by one-third and will follow through on plans to reduce taxes for businesses.

“Ours is a government obsessed with job creation,” he said in a news release. “That’s why we’ll introduce our Blueprint for Jobs … and stand up for our energy sector.”