TORONTO (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Dec. 7, 1999--Standard&Poor's today affirmed its double-`A'-plus long-term local and foreign currency issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the Province of Alberta. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'A-1'-plus short-term foreign currency issuer credit and commercial paper ratings on the province. The outlook is stable. The ratings reflect: -- The province's very low tax-supported debt burden; -- Conservative and prudent budget management, safeguarding against potential revenue weakness even as proposed tax reforms and reductions take place beginning in 2001; and -- The economy's high income levels, as well as its concentration in the often volatile energy sector. A solid fiscal performance in 1999 (year ended March 31, 1999), with an overall
