We grow better garlic!
Not the first area of economic diversification that comes to mind, but Agriculture, in general, could be one important advantage over our southern friends. Not the monoculture that is currently devastating whole ecosystems, rather Greenfield and Greenhouse growth and various food processing/production that could be marketed worldwide. Interesting fact, Edmonton has approximately 138 frost-free days and the longest growing season on the
Prairies by far, currently rated a zone 4a. Plus the potential to utilize the excess heating/cooling capacity as a byproduct from our energy sector could be an advantage. We have a massive advantage in the soil type and rainfall categories as well.