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What`s Behind the Curtain?
Alberta
2008-07
Daily Online Edition
Alberta
2008-07
Daily Online Edition
AB Economic Fundamentals 2008-07
- Thread starter joeiannuzzi
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Taxman cometh
The city`s tax office was kept hopping yesterday as hundreds of Edmontonians paid their civic dues.
It was the last day property taxes could be paid before a 6% penalty kicked in.
Throughout the afternoon the lineup at City Hall was consistently two dozen people long, snaking its way from a far corner of the building into the main floor common area -- something not seen for some time. Coun. Tony Caterina was helping to direct traffic, giving away free bottles of water to those waiting patiently. By early afternoon he had gone through several cases which he had snagged from the councillors` boardroom.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2...033041-sun.html
The city`s tax office was kept hopping yesterday as hundreds of Edmontonians paid their civic dues.
It was the last day property taxes could be paid before a 6% penalty kicked in.
Throughout the afternoon the lineup at City Hall was consistently two dozen people long, snaking its way from a far corner of the building into the main floor common area -- something not seen for some time. Coun. Tony Caterina was helping to direct traffic, giving away free bottles of water to those waiting patiently. By early afternoon he had gone through several cases which he had snagged from the councillors` boardroom.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2...033041-sun.html
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Wife seeks control of apartment buildings
A judge will soon rule whether a landlord alleged to have let two Queen Alexandra apartment buildings decline into a flophouse can keep his properties.
"We desperately need to do something," said Marcia Rodnunsky, a lawyer acting for the landlord`s wife, Joanna Seccafien, during the couple`s divorce proceedings yesterday. Since owner Mario Seccafien took over management of the properties at 10414 77 Ave. and 10735 78 Ave. earlier this year, tenants have been fleeing the disorder and violence associated with the drug users and prostitutes who have moved in, city police Sgt. Maurice Brodeur wrote in an affidavit on behalf of the wife.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2...033066-sun.html
A judge will soon rule whether a landlord alleged to have let two Queen Alexandra apartment buildings decline into a flophouse can keep his properties.
"We desperately need to do something," said Marcia Rodnunsky, a lawyer acting for the landlord`s wife, Joanna Seccafien, during the couple`s divorce proceedings yesterday. Since owner Mario Seccafien took over management of the properties at 10414 77 Ave. and 10735 78 Ave. earlier this year, tenants have been fleeing the disorder and violence associated with the drug users and prostitutes who have moved in, city police Sgt. Maurice Brodeur wrote in an affidavit on behalf of the wife.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2...033066-sun.html
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Ground finally broken on southwest rec centre
EDMONTON -- Construction of the new southwest recreation centre was officially begun Friday after five years of community activism, delays and ballooning budgets.
"It is a great day in the neighbourhood. This has taken a long time," Mayor Stephen Mandel told a crowd gathered for the event.
"Today is really going to be a miracle. We`re really going to build it. For a while I would say, `Oh my God, are we ever going to build this thing?` "
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...3b-b7f1c780b2d3
EDMONTON -- Construction of the new southwest recreation centre was officially begun Friday after five years of community activism, delays and ballooning budgets.
"It is a great day in the neighbourhood. This has taken a long time," Mayor Stephen Mandel told a crowd gathered for the event.
"Today is really going to be a miracle. We`re really going to build it. For a while I would say, `Oh my God, are we ever going to build this thing?` "
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...3b-b7f1c780b2d3
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U.S. officials to tour oilsands
In what is billed a congressional investigative trip, two U.S. lawmakers will get a bird`s-eye view of Alberta`s oilsands today, a region which has lately been denigrated by mayors south of the border as well as Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama`s campaign.
But despite the recent spate of criticism, the two Democratic congressmen told the Sun crude from Alberta`s oilsands is vital to the energy security of their country. "It`s critically important," said Rick Boucher, a congressmen from Virginia who also chairs the subcommittee on energy and air quality. "We need that oil and we`re going to take whatever steps are necessary to make cure that we continue to have access to it."
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/0...033566-sun.html
In what is billed a congressional investigative trip, two U.S. lawmakers will get a bird`s-eye view of Alberta`s oilsands today, a region which has lately been denigrated by mayors south of the border as well as Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama`s campaign.
But despite the recent spate of criticism, the two Democratic congressmen told the Sun crude from Alberta`s oilsands is vital to the energy security of their country. "It`s critically important," said Rick Boucher, a congressmen from Virginia who also chairs the subcommittee on energy and air quality. "We need that oil and we`re going to take whatever steps are necessary to make cure that we continue to have access to it."
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/0...033566-sun.html
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Stampede expected to spur spending
With the Stampede mere days away, Calgarians and visitors to the city are readying to open their wallets to spend freely on everything from the obligatory Western paraphernalia to a chilled beverage from a street vendor to a hotel room.
Calgary Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser said he doesn`t know how much money changes hands on the Stampede Grounds during the 10-day festival, but noted that every loonie spent on the Stampede grounds balloons into $2.86 spent elsewhere in the city. The last economic impact study, completed in 2002, pegged the annual financial impact on Calgary, which includes renting out facilities for trade shows throughout the year, at about $350 million, Fraser said.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Business/2008/07/01/6033486-sun.html
With the Stampede mere days away, Calgarians and visitors to the city are readying to open their wallets to spend freely on everything from the obligatory Western paraphernalia to a chilled beverage from a street vendor to a hotel room.
Calgary Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser said he doesn`t know how much money changes hands on the Stampede Grounds during the 10-day festival, but noted that every loonie spent on the Stampede grounds balloons into $2.86 spent elsewhere in the city. The last economic impact study, completed in 2002, pegged the annual financial impact on Calgary, which includes renting out facilities for trade shows throughout the year, at about $350 million, Fraser said.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Business/2008/07/01/6033486-sun.html
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Rental crisis fund hits $43.5M
A provincial emergency fund designed to help renters in dire straits has ballooned to more than six times its original size -- going to $43.5 million from the $7 million announced by the Stelmach government.
More than 62,000 requests for emergency cash were granted in less than a year following the spring 2007 unveiling of the Homeless and Eviction Prevention Fund.
The fund, which is now paying out about 10,000 claims a month provincewide, allows people to quickly obtain a cheque to cover rent shortfalls, saves renters from eviction or provides a damage deposit to newcomers.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...9d-0e92baf33c25
A provincial emergency fund designed to help renters in dire straits has ballooned to more than six times its original size -- going to $43.5 million from the $7 million announced by the Stelmach government.
More than 62,000 requests for emergency cash were granted in less than a year following the spring 2007 unveiling of the Homeless and Eviction Prevention Fund.
The fund, which is now paying out about 10,000 claims a month provincewide, allows people to quickly obtain a cheque to cover rent shortfalls, saves renters from eviction or provides a damage deposit to newcomers.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...9d-0e92baf33c25
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Consumers driving crude spike, says BP
The Herald`s Shaun Polczer reports from Spain as the world`s energy superpowers gather this week for the 19th World Petroleum Congress in the wake of runaway oil prices.
Much-maligned speculators aren`t to blame for soaring oil prices, the head of Anglo oil giant BP PLC said Monday.
Rather, it`s consumers who have pushed demand for energy to new heights that are the cause of runaway crude prices, Tony Hayward told the inaugural session of the 19th World Petroleum Congress.
The rookie CEO of the world`s second-largest oil company said sky-high crude prices are "completely based on fundamentals," and characterized speculators as "investors" rather than profiteers.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...2d-f16e10d67f62
The Herald`s Shaun Polczer reports from Spain as the world`s energy superpowers gather this week for the 19th World Petroleum Congress in the wake of runaway oil prices.
Much-maligned speculators aren`t to blame for soaring oil prices, the head of Anglo oil giant BP PLC said Monday.
Rather, it`s consumers who have pushed demand for energy to new heights that are the cause of runaway crude prices, Tony Hayward told the inaugural session of the 19th World Petroleum Congress.
The rookie CEO of the world`s second-largest oil company said sky-high crude prices are "completely based on fundamentals," and characterized speculators as "investors" rather than profiteers.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...2d-f16e10d67f62
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Ten routes will be cut
Air Canada has said it is cancelling 10 routes and suspending three other flights as part of a reduction in capacity to save on fuel costs.
Among the cancellations, flights from Calgary to Comox are cancelled as of Sept. 2 to save the carrier money on less profitable routes.
Earlier this month, Air Canada said it intends to make a seven per cent reduction in system-wide capacity to reduce costs, including a 13 per cent drop in trans-border capacity to the U.S. market.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...d9-6baddd7224a0
Air Canada has said it is cancelling 10 routes and suspending three other flights as part of a reduction in capacity to save on fuel costs.
Among the cancellations, flights from Calgary to Comox are cancelled as of Sept. 2 to save the carrier money on less profitable routes.
Earlier this month, Air Canada said it intends to make a seven per cent reduction in system-wide capacity to reduce costs, including a 13 per cent drop in trans-border capacity to the U.S. market.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...d9-6baddd7224a0
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Enmax pushes province for 50-year energy plan
Alberta needs a 50-year energy plan that challenges convention wisdom and paradigms around electricity generation, transmission and consumption, the head of Enmax said Monday.
"It is time to lay out the next 50 years," Enmax president and chief executive Gary Holden said in a meeting with Herald editors, arguing the province is at a crossroads where decisions made today will have implications for decades. Similarly, many of the province`s largest projects -- oilsands developments, generating stations, pipeline and transmission facilities -- have lifespans that extend to the 50-year time frame.
"It`s not trivial. It`s important that our government people start to take on that challenge," said Holden.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...bb-f7f807aa7f56
Alberta needs a 50-year energy plan that challenges convention wisdom and paradigms around electricity generation, transmission and consumption, the head of Enmax said Monday.
"It is time to lay out the next 50 years," Enmax president and chief executive Gary Holden said in a meeting with Herald editors, arguing the province is at a crossroads where decisions made today will have implications for decades. Similarly, many of the province`s largest projects -- oilsands developments, generating stations, pipeline and transmission facilities -- have lifespans that extend to the 50-year time frame.
"It`s not trivial. It`s important that our government people start to take on that challenge," said Holden.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...bb-f7f807aa7f56
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Public input sought for highway project at Fort Macleod
FORT MACLEOD — The proposed Fort Macleod Highway 2-3 interchange and Highway 3 bypass may be five to 10 years in the making yet, but public input remains a key strategy of Alberta Transportation and Infrastructure.
Naveed Butt of Lethbridge, planning engineer for the department`s southern region, said anybody with an interest in the project to carry Highway 3 south of the main town complex to link with Highway 2 north is welcome to attend the second open house Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall along the westbound one-way Highway 3 route.
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_11232.php
FORT MACLEOD — The proposed Fort Macleod Highway 2-3 interchange and Highway 3 bypass may be five to 10 years in the making yet, but public input remains a key strategy of Alberta Transportation and Infrastructure.
Naveed Butt of Lethbridge, planning engineer for the department`s southern region, said anybody with an interest in the project to carry Highway 3 south of the main town complex to link with Highway 2 north is welcome to attend the second open house Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall along the westbound one-way Highway 3 route.
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_11232.php
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Expert predicts urban renewal, suburban blight in city
We built this region on oil. Oil will be its undoing, or at least its redoing.
Sky-high gasoline prices, combined with an emerging suburban backlash, are about to hoist the Edmonton region on its sprawling petard.
So says a leading expert on New Urbanism, Dan Burden, who Time magazine called one of the most important civic innovators of our time.
You might know Burden as the walkable community guy. He`s visited Edmonton three times to consult with neighbourhoods on making them more pedestrian- and neighbour-friendly.
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...ad-96981b6799d8
We built this region on oil. Oil will be its undoing, or at least its redoing.
Sky-high gasoline prices, combined with an emerging suburban backlash, are about to hoist the Edmonton region on its sprawling petard.
So says a leading expert on New Urbanism, Dan Burden, who Time magazine called one of the most important civic innovators of our time.
You might know Burden as the walkable community guy. He`s visited Edmonton three times to consult with neighbourhoods on making them more pedestrian- and neighbour-friendly.
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...ad-96981b6799d8
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Oil execs tout oilsands as the future
MADRID, Spain - Canada`s oilsands are still years away from making a meaningful impact on global oil supplies, the heads of two of the world`s largest oil companies --Exxon and Total -- said at the World Petroleum Congress in Spain Tuesday.
But they also said despite economic and environmental challenges, unconventional oil from Canada will eventually play a crucial role in meeting the world`s oil needs.
"Resources in Athabasca are huge, probably much bigger than expected," Total CEO Christophe de Margerie told a news conference. "The problem is that the time to take resources into production will be longer than expected."
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...2a-8f15ab9339f4
MADRID, Spain - Canada`s oilsands are still years away from making a meaningful impact on global oil supplies, the heads of two of the world`s largest oil companies --Exxon and Total -- said at the World Petroleum Congress in Spain Tuesday.
But they also said despite economic and environmental challenges, unconventional oil from Canada will eventually play a crucial role in meeting the world`s oil needs.
"Resources in Athabasca are huge, probably much bigger than expected," Total CEO Christophe de Margerie told a news conference. "The problem is that the time to take resources into production will be longer than expected."
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...2a-8f15ab9339f4
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Lethbridge mayor declares flood crisis
A torrential downpour on Lethbridge had authorities calling a local state of emergency while streets and basements flooded from the steady stream of rain.
Mayor Bob Tarleck declared the state of emergency at 4:30 p.m., allowing local authorities to close roads and shut down facilities.
The storm, which continued Tuesday, overwhelmed the city`s storm and sanitary sewers, officials said.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...72-2dd575b58d7f
A torrential downpour on Lethbridge had authorities calling a local state of emergency while streets and basements flooded from the steady stream of rain.
Mayor Bob Tarleck declared the state of emergency at 4:30 p.m., allowing local authorities to close roads and shut down facilities.
The storm, which continued Tuesday, overwhelmed the city`s storm and sanitary sewers, officials said.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...72-2dd575b58d7f
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Fines rare for oilsands players
As a provincial regulator moves ahead with new enforcement tools to crack down on waste from Alberta`s oilsands sector, new statistics have revealed a majority of projects faced no fines or prosecution in recent years under environmental protection legislation.
The data, compiled through an analysis of quarterly provincial reports and decisions made by the federal and provincial governments, revealed only one company was fined under environmental protection legislation in 2006 and 2007.
Meanwhile, the federal government did not lay a single charge under the Fisheries Act against any oilsands company operating between 1988 and 2005.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...af-e00ce3baf223
As a provincial regulator moves ahead with new enforcement tools to crack down on waste from Alberta`s oilsands sector, new statistics have revealed a majority of projects faced no fines or prosecution in recent years under environmental protection legislation.
The data, compiled through an analysis of quarterly provincial reports and decisions made by the federal and provincial governments, revealed only one company was fined under environmental protection legislation in 2006 and 2007.
Meanwhile, the federal government did not lay a single charge under the Fisheries Act against any oilsands company operating between 1988 and 2005.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...af-e00ce3baf223
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Stampede fully staffed despite labour shortage
The Calgary Stampede has bucked the tight local labour market trend by roping in a full complement of staff for this year`s incarnation of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Nearly 3,300 employees have been hired for the 10-day event, said Wendy Fogleman, the Stampede`s senior manager of people services.
"Calgary`s job market is still one of the hottest in the country so we believe we`ve done an excellent job of recruitment," she said. The success of the recruitment campaign, said Fogleman, stemmed from the sheer number of prospective employees who galloped to an online application process, which was used for the first time this year.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/0...040801-sun.html
The Calgary Stampede has bucked the tight local labour market trend by roping in a full complement of staff for this year`s incarnation of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Nearly 3,300 employees have been hired for the 10-day event, said Wendy Fogleman, the Stampede`s senior manager of people services.
"Calgary`s job market is still one of the hottest in the country so we believe we`ve done an excellent job of recruitment," she said. The success of the recruitment campaign, said Fogleman, stemmed from the sheer number of prospective employees who galloped to an online application process, which was used for the first time this year.
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/0...040801-sun.html
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Town of Sundre preparing municipal sustainability plan
The Town of Sundre has turned to its residents to help map out its future.
A municipal sustainability plan is being prepared for the community of about 2,500 to provide direction on how the community should grow, said Celeste Bensmiller, the town`s community services co-ordinator.
Last month, a pair of public input sessions drew 30 people. Another town-hosted meeting gained the viewpoints of nearly 90 Grade 8 students from River Valley School.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...ility_plan.html
The Town of Sundre has turned to its residents to help map out its future.
A municipal sustainability plan is being prepared for the community of about 2,500 to provide direction on how the community should grow, said Celeste Bensmiller, the town`s community services co-ordinator.
Last month, a pair of public input sessions drew 30 people. Another town-hosted meeting gained the viewpoints of nearly 90 Grade 8 students from River Valley School.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...ility_plan.html
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Dress for Success comes to Red Deer
Finding work can be tough for a single mom or a woman who has spent years raising her family at home.
Even obtaining the right clothes for a job interview can be a challenge.
The solution might lie in Dress for Success.
Arlana Tanner recently convinced the international organization to approve a chapter for Red Deer. And now she`s getting ready to help disadvantaged women enter the workforce.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...o_Red_Deer.html
Finding work can be tough for a single mom or a woman who has spent years raising her family at home.
Even obtaining the right clothes for a job interview can be a challenge.
The solution might lie in Dress for Success.
Arlana Tanner recently convinced the international organization to approve a chapter for Red Deer. And now she`s getting ready to help disadvantaged women enter the workforce.
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...o_Red_Deer.html
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Take precautions with flood cleanup
Chinook Health and Alberta Health Services are advising residents to use caution when cleaning up after Tuesday`s flooding.
The City of Lethbridge initially received calls from about 60 homeowners about flood damage with more expected to come.
"The water that seeps into your basement may be contaminated and, obviously, the sewer that backs up into homes is not safe," said Vanessa Maclean, acting medical officer of health for Chinook Health.
"I also want to caution people about allowing their children to play in the water that has built up on residential streets. This water may also be contaminated as storm sewers across the city were not able to manage the torrential downpour we saw earlier."
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_11244.php
Chinook Health and Alberta Health Services are advising residents to use caution when cleaning up after Tuesday`s flooding.
The City of Lethbridge initially received calls from about 60 homeowners about flood damage with more expected to come.
"The water that seeps into your basement may be contaminated and, obviously, the sewer that backs up into homes is not safe," said Vanessa Maclean, acting medical officer of health for Chinook Health.
"I also want to caution people about allowing their children to play in the water that has built up on residential streets. This water may also be contaminated as storm sewers across the city were not able to manage the torrential downpour we saw earlier."
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_11244.php
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River crews race to contain solvent slick
EDMONTON - Fire and hazardous materials crews scrambled to contain a large chemical spill on the North Saskatchewan River on Wednesday evening.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a jogger called in to report a thin, iridescent skim floating on top of the water along the north bank of the river.
A police helicopter helped trace the spill back to a sewage outflow near the Quesnell Bridge, where a petroleum-based solvent was steadily leaking out.
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...15-f357750346ff
EDMONTON - Fire and hazardous materials crews scrambled to contain a large chemical spill on the North Saskatchewan River on Wednesday evening.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a jogger called in to report a thin, iridescent skim floating on top of the water along the north bank of the river.
A police helicopter helped trace the spill back to a sewage outflow near the Quesnell Bridge, where a petroleum-based solvent was steadily leaking out.
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...15-f357750346ff