Look, no debt.

The article focuses on Alberta, which produces most of Canada's oil and natural gas, and Ralph Klein, Alberta's premier. As energy prices have climbed, so have royalties. The result: Alberta is the richest of Canada's ten provinces, and the only one without a provincial sales tax. Its economy should grow by almost 4% this year, well above the national average. Klein announced that his government would wipe out the last of the province's remaining debt. A former television reporter, Alberta's premier is one of Canada's more colourful politicians. He is also an astute politician. After taking office, Klein pushed through a law mandating a balanced budget. Besides paying off almost the province's debt, Klein has set up a fund to cushion the province when energy prices fall.