Alberta is well known for having no sales tax. This means that if you buy a camera in Alberta you'll only pay Canadian tax (GST) = 5%. If you buy the same camera in Ontario you'll pay GST (5%) + Ontario tax (8%) so your total will be 13%. This sounds big, but i want to make sure it is understood that, although Alberta may be a great place to live, government programs have to be paid for somehow, so where they don't take your money from sales tax they take if from other "fees." 
I moved from Ontario to Alberta just last month with my family. As an example, in Ontario elementary schools are completely covered by tax. In fact, schools can ask for money from parents for school supplies, but parents don't have to give it. The school will provide it all if necessary. In Alberta, not only do we get a list of school supplies (can be $200 or more), but there are other fees, as well. Just to stay at school for lunch (no lunch provided - only sitting at school) we pay the school $21/month
. If he bussed, we'd have to pay a bussing fee. These are all free in Ontario. So although there is no sales tax, other fees help make up for that through public services.
Bottom line: The saying that "nothing is sure except death and taxes" applies to Alberta, as well. If you don't may taxes directly, you'll pay them in fees somewhere, unless you don't have kids, and don't go out other than to go shopping! I just wanted to let you know. I had not heard this talked about until I moved and noticed it first hand.
I moved from Ontario to Alberta just last month with my family. As an example, in Ontario elementary schools are completely covered by tax. In fact, schools can ask for money from parents for school supplies, but parents don't have to give it. The school will provide it all if necessary. In Alberta, not only do we get a list of school supplies (can be $200 or more), but there are other fees, as well. Just to stay at school for lunch (no lunch provided - only sitting at school) we pay the school $21/month
. If he bussed, we'd have to pay a bussing fee. These are all free in Ontario. So although there is no sales tax, other fees help make up for that through public services.Bottom line: The saying that "nothing is sure except death and taxes" applies to Alberta, as well. If you don't may taxes directly, you'll pay them in fees somewhere, unless you don't have kids, and don't go out other than to go shopping! I just wanted to let you know. I had not heard this talked about until I moved and noticed it first hand.
