Danielle Smith touts Alberta supremacy at Rotary International Convention in Calgary
Premier Danielle Smith welcomed thousands of Rotary International delegates to Calgary on Sunday, using the stage to tout Alberta's economic strength, energy ambitions and approach to addiction recovery.
More than 15,000 Rotary members from more than 120 countries are expected to gather in Calgary this week for the Rotary International Convention, a five-day event that runs through Wednesday at Stampede Park.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Smith — a former Rotarian herself — described Alberta as 'Canada's economic engine,' pointing to the province's population growth, economic climate and natural resource wealth.
'I want to take this opportunity to do just a little bit of bragging about this beautiful province,' she said. 'That is one of the perks of my job. I get to be the lead cheerleader for my favorite place in the world.'
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Smith cited recent Statistics Canada data showing that Alberta led the country in population growth during the first quarter of 2025, gaining more new residents than the rest of Canada combined. Between Jan. 1 and April 1, Alberta's population grew by 20,562, while four provinces and one territory saw population declines, including record quarterly losses in Ontario and British Columbia.
Alberta also had the highest net gain from interprovincial migration during that time.
Smith attributed the growth to economic opportunity and a 'welcoming and free society,' drawing people to the province.
'Alberta has drawn in people from near and far for a few very good reasons,' she said. 'Investors see our low corporate taxes, our skilled workforce, and our business-friendly climate as an increasingly attractive package and our tech sector is growing as a result.'
Smith also highlighted her government's efforts to expand mental health and addiction services, referring to the so-called 'Alberta recovery model.'
'Since 2019, our government has added around 10,000 addiction treatment spaces, including detox treatment and long-term recovery spaces,' she said. 'We recognize that we have a lot more work to do, but the Alberta recovery model is showing early signs of success, and we're very proud of what we have accomplished so far.'
Much of her speech focused on promoting Alberta's energy sector. Smith praised the province's level of oil and gas production — currently averaging about four million barrels a day — and said the government intends to double that output.
'Over the years this industry has delivered extraordinary prosperity to our province and to the rest of Canada, and Alberta is proud to be one of the world's foremost producers of oil and natural gas, and we are proud of what that energy means for the world.'
Smith also noted industry efforts to move toward a lower-carbon future, citing net-zero commitments and the province's leadership in carbon capture and hydrogen production.
'If, as we know, the world will need more oil and gas for decades to come, then our trading partners might as well buy it from a supplier that cares about human rights, a supplier that protects the environment and reduces emissions even as it increases production,' she said.
While Rotary International is not a political organization, the international convention comes at a time of global geopolitical tension.
Rotary International president Stephanie Urchick also addressed the audience, emphasizing the organization's mission to build unity across borders.
'The world right now can feel divided, but Rotary brings together people from every corner of the globe, not to erase our differences, but to celebrate them,' she said. 'That's how we spread peace, because peace is more than the absence of conflict, it's the presence of understanding.'
Rotary International is a global service organization that boasts more than a million volunteer members focused on community and humanitarian efforts.
The convention is expected to pump $81 million into Calgary's economy.
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Words such as "anticipate(s)," "expect(s)," "intend(s)," "believe(s)," "plan(s)," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seek(s)," and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained, and Amrize assumes no (and disclaims any) obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of any statements or information contained in this media release. 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The reasons Amrize uses these non-GAAP financial measures are included in Amrize's final information statement filed with the SEC and the reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included below. Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss), excluding Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization, Interest expense, net and Income tax benefit (expense). 1 Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Segment Adjusted EBITDA including unallocated corporate costs. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net income (loss), excluding unallocated corporate costs, Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization, Loss on impairments, Other non-operating income (expense), net, Interest expense, net, Income tax benefit (expense), Income from equity method investments, and certain other items, such as costs related to acquisitions, certain litigation costs, restructuring costs, charges associated with non-core sites and certain warranty charges related to a pre-acquisition manufacturing issue and transaction costs related to the spin-off. 2 Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues. 3 Free Cash Flow is defined net cash provided by (used in) operating activities plus proceeds from property and casualty insurance, proceeds from land expropriation and proceeds from disposals of long-lived assets less purchases of property, plant and equipment. 4 Adjusted EBITDA Cash Conversion Ratio is defined as Free Cash Flow divided by Adjusted EBITDA. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The table below reconciles our net income and net income margin, the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, respectively. For the years ended December 31, (In millions, except for percentage data) 2024 2023 2022 Net income $1,273 $955 $1,107 Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization 889 851 788 Interest expense, net 512 549 248 Income tax expense 368 361 366 EBITDA 3,042 2,716 2,509 Loss on impairments 2 15 57 Other non-operating (income) expense, net(1) 55 36 (9) Income from equity method investments (13) (13) (13) Other(2) 95 90 55 Adjusted EBITDA 3,181 2,844 2,599 Unallocated corporate costs 141 155 112 Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA $3,322 $2,999 $2,711 Building Materials 2,552 2,314 2,049 Building Envelope 770 685 662 Net income margin 11% 8% 10% Adjusted EBITDA Margin 27% 24% 24% (1) Other non-operating (income) expense, net primarily consists of costs related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans and gains on proceeds from property and casualty insurance. 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