Alberta Rodeos - Culture and Economic Driver
Rodeo is a quintessential component of Alberta’s culture, tourism industry, and community spirit. Whether it be a small-town celebration like Carstairs’ Beef & Barley Days, the high school rodeo circuit where youth are vying for the buckle, or the Calgary Stampede, rodeo is important to much of the province. Every year it contributes a significant amount to the province’s economy, through tourism for the Stampede and the pro rodeo circuit, creating job opportunities, advocating and employing the province’s agriculture sector, and more.
The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) alone often generates an economic impact of more than $50 million annually within the hosting community, most recently being Red Deer, Alberta. With some of the best contestants and stock in the country, the CFR attracts over 43, 000 attendees leading to an economic benefit of approximately $37 million in 2019 alone. From theme nights at local bars and restaurant, to fully booked hotels, to western wear shops being inundated with new customers, the impact the CFR has had on Red Deer and area has been impressive, giving a boost to an economy that suffers greatly during a downturn in the petroleum industry. It is undeniable that the impact rodeo has on Alberta’s economy is a positive one.
Additionally, not only do rodeos rake in that impressive amount of profit, but professional rodeos in North America also give back approximately $30 million for local and international charities each year. Rodeo provides an income to its contestant members of Alberta-based Pro Rodeo Canada, paying out over $5.1 million annually to competitors. While contestants are the most visible part of rodeo, other careers within rodeo include stock contractors, judges, rodeo secretaries, announcers, timers, bull fighters, photographers, specialty act performers, as well as externally employing members of the surrounding community for hospitality purposes. Each year, Calgary’s Stampede Grounds welcome more than 4 million guests from around the globe, hosting over 1200 events and contributing more than $540 million to the Alberta economy.
For Alberta’s rural youth, rodeo is an important part of their upbringing, whether that be attending the events as a family outing, competing in mutton busting as a small child, working the grounds, or volunteering for the agriculture society. It is not often that high school students are able to compete for prizes over a thousand dollars, but the high school rodeo circuit provides just that, in addition many opportunities for these rural students to receive post-secondary scholarships. Children that grow up surrounded by rodeo culture are taught the values of respecting animals and agriculture as well as the spirit of volunteerism.
With this overwhelming enthusiasm for rodeos, it is no surprise that politicians have advocated for rodeo to become Alberta’s official sport. On March 1, 2021, Calgary UCP MLA Muhammed Yaseen proposed Private Member’s Bill 212 to do just that, emphasizing the importance rodeo has within Alberta’s diverse cultural fabric in the wake of COVID-19 cancelling much of 2020’s rodeo events. This was not the first time that idea has been approached, with Liberal Opposition leader Kevin Taft making a similar motion in 2008. A similar motion was proposed in 2020 by a different UCP MLA. Rodeos also have a large impact on Albertan and Canadian politics just like any other community event, providing a time for politicians to network and gain support at the many events such as Pancake Breakfasts. The Calgary Stampede attracts all types of government officials across Canada, with Prime Ministers, Premiers, and even British royalty attending at times. Many government relations firms host VIP hospitality suites; attendees of the 2019 Stampede could have spotted 4 different Premiers at one single lounge. Lobbying groups and political organizations also use the Stampede as an opportunity to gain rapport and fundraise, with the Conservative Party of Canada hosting its largest annual fundraiser as a Stampede BBQ with its leader.
However, that is not to say that every Albertan supports having rodeo become the province’s official sport or even supports rodeos in general. Many animal rights activists are greatly opposed to rodeos entirely, as well as enthusiastic hockey and curling fans from urban areas are perplexed by the idea of making rodeo the official sport. There are claims that embracing rodeo further plays into outdated stereotypes for Alberta being red neck cowboys; however, embracing rodeo is a nod towards Alberta’s distinct and unique culture and history in agriculture and rural community spirit. Canada’s first rodeo was held in Alberta in 1902, and the first formal Calgary Stampede was held in 1912, leaving the province steeped in over a century of tradition.
