WestJet profit falls as Alberta economy weakens

(Reuters) - Canada's WestJet Airlines Ltd reported a smaller quarterly profit, hurt by its large exposure to Alberta, where the economy is weakening. The economy of Alberta, known for its oil-rich resources, has been hit by a near 70 percent plunge in oil prices since June 2014. Jobless rates in the region, which is the energy-producing province of Canada, has risen to 7 percent in December 2015 from 4.7 percent a year earlier.