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NDP ministers sometimes look like they’re tap dancing in the dark, singing a happy song to an audience that’s already left and turned out the lights.

It has become counter-intuitive in Calgary to imagine there can be good economic news. When a friendly shop owner approaches in tears to say it’s all over and “we’re leaving,” it’s hard to believe the city’s feet are touching bottom yet.

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But then, along comes the successful IT expert who says that in his world, things have rarely been better. “Lots of people can make money on $50 oil,” he says confidently.

That’s the music Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous wants to hear. Part of his job is to persuade Albertans that the end isn’t so near after all.

On Monday, Bilous rolled out surprising numbers that show Alberta still has Canada’s highest per capita investment.

Last year, the Canadian average was $7,046 per person; in Alberta, the average was $17,855, far above that of any other province.