How did the Dominion Lands Act encourage settlement in Alberta?

The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 encouraged settlement in Alberta primarily by providing low-cost homesteads to prospective settlers.1

By offering accessible land, the act served as a foundational incentive for individuals to move to the region. This policy was part of a broader effort to populate the area, working in tandem with other critical developments such as the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which improved transportation and market access, and vigorous promotional campaigns that attracted settlers from eastern Canada, the United States, and Europe. These combined factors led to a significant population increase in the early 20th century, transforming the region's demographic landscape.1