AB Economic Fundamentals 2008-09

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Alberta Small Town Updates: 2008-08-31 and 2008-09-07

 

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0908EDTN
Here`s reality: capital region is one big city

I nearly choked on my own surprise.

There we were, this guy and I, sitting in the seats overlooking the indoor soccer fields at Servus Credit Union Place, St. Albert`s $43-million leisure centre.

Even as his daughter scampered after the ball, he stewed in his own resentment of the facility. Servus, as it`s simply known in the well-heeled enclave on Edmonton`s northwestern corner, was not welcomed by just shy of half of St. Albert`s population.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Columnists...694901-sun.html

 

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0908ALTA
Canada better served by majority: Stelmach

A solid majority government after the Oct. 14 federal election would be the best result for Canada`s international standing in the business world, Conservative Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said yesterday.

But Stelmach also seemed to suggest attack ads aren`t the way to win that majority, appearing to criticize federal Tory ads harshly critical of the Opposition Liberals.

"Albertans want to know what you`re going to do for them," he said when asked about the federal Conservative ads. "I don`t think they pay much attention in terms of criticizing another individual."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/canadavotes/new...707336-sun.html

 

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0908EDTN
`Callous` landlords face record fine of $70,000

EDMONTON - The Edmonton owners of two rental apartment buildings could face the highest fine ever imposed in the province for violating the Public Health Act.

Capital Health prosecutor Rob O`Neill asked provincial court Judge Elizabeth Johnson Monday to fine Ben and Connie Suetter $70,000 for refusing to address deficiencies first brought to their attention in November 2005.

"The callousness and disregard the Suetters have shown their tenants is appalling," said O`Neill.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...a3-12d250c89641

 

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0908EDTN
Edmonton beckons Harper

EDMONTON - Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has ignored Edmonton during his minority government`s reign, but he will be making a big mistake if he takes the city for granted during this election campaign, his rivals warned Monday.

"Edmonton is a wild card," said NDP Edmonton East candidate Ray Martin, a long-time provincial politician. "If there`s going to be any change on the Alberta political landscape, I think the most logical place it will occur is Edmonton. Maybe he thinks he can take Calgary for granted, but Edmonton has a much different political culture."

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...95-63b732219b8b

 

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0908EDTN
Stadium-area rec centre finds early support

A new recreation centre in north-central Edmonton moved another step closer Monday when a council committee voted to push ahead with the $88-million project.

The proposal would see a swimming pool and field house built beside Commonwealth Stadium, along with an upgraded entrance that would also serve the existing gym and fitness centre.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...02-1574a213f6a8

 

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0908ALTA
ANC plans to salvage pine beetle waste trees

EDMONTON - When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what do you do when nature gives you mountain pine beetles?

Under a new pilot project announced Monday, the answer appears to be -- make newspapers.

Mountain pine beetles not only kill trees but they dry out and stain the wood blue so the timber is good for little but burning.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...b9-b75b33af55db

 

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0908ALTA
Industry fears being a `political football`

Amid soaring pump prices, environmental concerns and high energy industry profits, Canada`s oilpatch leaders say they`re worried their sector could end up as a "political football" in the federal election race.

The first energy flare-up came Sunday evening in Calgary, when NDP Leader Jack Layton attacked the federal Conservatives for failing to implement more stringent environmental regulations in the oilsands -- a theme he continued hammering away at on Monday.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/s...6a-bd43e2392fa0

 

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0908CALG
Developer`s no villain for opposing Mustard Seed highrise

After the comments he made Monday at City Hall, it would be easy to paint John Torode as a cartoon villain with a handlebar moustache tying damsels to the railway tracks.

The damsels, in this case, are the Dickensian street urchins Torode sees in the Mustard Seed Street Ministry`s plans for an affordable housing tower downtown, ruining the neighbourhood around Torode`s swanky new developments in Victoria Park.


http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...f4-005e4b55e370

 

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0908CALG
Construction on tower could start in spring

A 224-unit affordable housing tower in the Beltline could be underway next spring, after city council Monday approved a land-use change at the site.

"This is extremely exciting for the Mustard Seed," executive director Pat Nixon said of the apartment building. "It`s been almost two years of us working hard to be able to get this facility up and going.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...4b-c38c7b851236

 

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0908CALG
First Calgary Petroleums sold in $933-million deal

The long saga of First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. came to a close Monday after the company was sold to Italian energy giant Eni in a deal worth $933 million.

First Calgary shareholders will get $3.60 a share while convertible debenture holders receive $108,000 US plus interest for each $100,000 worth of bonds held.

First Calgary said the deal has the unanimous support of its board.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...36-313d2aa2f6fd

 

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0908CALG
Calgary permits post gain

The total value of building permits rose slightly in July from the previous month in the Calgary census metropolitan area while it fell in Alberta, according to statistics released Monday by Statistics Canada.

"The drop in building permits so far this year was expected," said Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial, "and is bringing provincial activity back to levels more in line with historic averages. Even with the noticeable drop compared to last year, it`s still quite good. No alarm bells should be ringing just yet."

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...4e-020e13b2fe9b

 

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0908ALTA
Future runs on coal, says industry

Coal isn`t going away as an energy source despite the current focus of consumers and governments on the climate change impact of coal power emissions, a conference was told Monday.

Delegates to the 48th annual Coal in Canada Conference, underway in downtown

Calgary, heard that various efforts around so-called clean coal -- low-emission use of the fuel -- are being investigated, but the biggest challenge may be discerning what the expectations of government on the emissions front are and will be.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...df-15f90babda4c

 

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0908CALG
City job market No. 2 in Canada

Calgary`s employment climate has cooled somewhat from the heady days of 2007, but is still among the very top tier in Canada, according to a survey to be released Tuesday.

The long-running quarterly employment outlook survey by Manpower Services Canada Ltd. found that a net 34 per cent of Calgary employers are expecting to expand their payrolls in the last three months of 2008. That`s an eight-point increase from intentions in the third quarter, but down from the 48 per cent finding a year ago.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...8e-b3a2935d2dca

 

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0908REDR
Secondary suite report to be studied

The city`s municipal planning commission will get a week to study a report on secondary suites before it makes recommendations to city council.

The report by Edmonton`s Western Management Consultants suggests secondary suites be allowed only in single detached homes that do not contain home-based businesses. Suites should meet building and fire codes, with each providing one off-street parking stall.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...be_studied.html

 

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0908REDR
Expropriation proceedings begin on land, in case talks fail

City of Red Deer staff will continue to negotiate with property owners who are holding out over land near Gaetz Avenue and 32nd Street improvements, says city manager Craig Curtis.

Although city council approved on Monday for expropriation proceedings to begin, Curtis said the city will carry on talking with the six parties.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...talks_fail.html

 

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0908REDR
Record enrolment in city schools

Both the Red Deer public and Catholic school divisions have record enrolment numbers this year.

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division has 6,318 students — an increase of 1.2 per cent from last year.

Red Deer Public Schools have reached 9,970 students — a two per cent increase overall from last year`s numbers.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradv...ty_schools.html

 

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0908EDTN
20 years of tax hikes touted to fix roads and sidewalks

EDMONTON - Edmonton property taxes should rise four per cent annually for the next decade just to help put crumbling roads and sidewalks into decent shape, a University of Alberta engineering professor says.

That`s only the start of a $2.9-billion program needed to overhaul decaying city infrastructure that on average is in poor or very poor condition, in one out of five neighbourhoods, Prof. Simaan Abou Rizk told council`s transportation and public works committee.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...b3-9365e1b45509

 

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0908EDTN
MacEwan attracts more attention from international students

EDMONTON - As MacEwan College embarks on a new academic year, its hallways, libraries and classrooms will take on an increasingly international flavour.

Applications from foreign students are up by more than 40 per cent this year, a trend that shows MacEwan is quickly building its profile around the world, administrators say.

"The college is acquiring a positive reputation as a progressive school, and that`s helping us to recruit students," said David McLeod, director of international education. "We have improved our efforts to let people know what`s possible at our school."

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...c0-f9702c91f9f6

 

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0908ALTA
Alta., Sask. agree `Green Shift` would cripple economies

LLOYDMINSTER - Alberta and Saskatchewan will defend their economies against federal environmental policies that could harm the bottom line, premiers Ed Stelmach and Brad Wall said Tuesday at their first joint cabinet meeting.

Both leaders said their provinces` resource-fuelled economic success is a boon to the entire country.

From taxes to equalization and job creation, that success helps power the country.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...db-5dab473ce61d