Why did Edmonton become the petrochemical centre of western Canada?

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Edmonton The North Saskatchewan River and downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Edmonton became the petrochemical centre of western Canada primarily due to the discovery of petroleum in 1947 at nearby Leduc and subsequent discoveries at other locations near the city.1

This discovery significantly stimulated Edmonton's urban and industrial growth, establishing a foundation for the city to become a major service and supply hub for the oil industry. This economic development has been further sustained by the ongoing exploitation of tar sand deposits in northern Alberta. Today, the city's industrial base includes oil refining, the production of synthetic fuels, and the manufacturing of various petrochemicals, plastics, and fertilizers.1