AB Economic Fundamentals 2009-01

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0109ALTA
Renewables could power Alberta, says think-tank

A lberta can switch its electricity source from coal to clean renewable energy sources in 20 years, creating jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more stable price for energy, says a report released this week.

There are no technological barriers standing in the way of this vision, but it will take political leadership and consumer demands to make it happen, says one of the authors of the report from the Pembina Institute environmental think-tank.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Technology/Re...7481/story.html

 

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0109CALG
Construction decline to continue

Despite forecasts that suggest the recession in Canada won`t be as deep or last as long as it will in the United States, any turn-around in the fortunes of Calgary`s homebuilders will have to wait another year, says a federal agency.

In a review of its predictions for construction activity this year in and around Calgary, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. has erased its earlier call for a slight increase of construction starts for single-detached homes to 4,500.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Business/Cons...7539/story.html

 

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0109CALG
Return to `normal` predicted for market

After a dramatic decline in 2008, there will be an increase in the number of resale homes changing hands this year in Calgary, say a pair of national real estate surveys.

Both Re/Max Western Canada and Royal LePage say resale activity will climb--with Royal LePage being the more bullish with its forecast of seven per cent.

Re/Max, meanwhile, is calling for a two-per-cent increase.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Homes/Return+...7541/story.html

 

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0109 KTKS
Buyers find sanctuary in rural real estate

W ith prolonged economic malaise on the horizon, residential properties outside Calgary`s limits may become more attractive for potential homebuyers looking to escape to their own sanctuaries away from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

"As people get more fearful, whether it`s called for or not, they do want to cut back, and what we find is that cutting back to a lot of people means the cost of the property rather than their commute," said Don Campbell, president of the Real Estate Investment Network in Canada and author of two books on real estate.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Homes/Buyers+...7460/story.html

 

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0109CALG
Direction of a commute matters

There are many good reasons why people choose to live in one area over another. Closeness to family and friends, easy access to major roads or public transit to get to and from the workplace, nearby schools for those with young children, and perhaps even a pleasant view of a golf course, lake or parkland. Last Saturday I thought of another-- the direction of the sun.

On my weekly morning drive along John Laurie Blvd. on my way to Aquila Books on 16th Avenue N. W., I had an awful experience facing into the very bright sun. I was praying that I had enough fluid in my windshield washer tank to clear off the spray kicked up by the heavy traffic.

http://www.calgaryherald.com//Direction+co...7511/story.html

 

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0109ARDE
Airdrie construction values tumble in 2008

While the residential construction value in Airdrie plummeted in 2008, the commercial/industrial construction held strong and provides hope for a better tax base down the road.

The city saw $184 million in total construction value last year, down from the record $454 million in 2007 and the $270.6 million in 2006.

Airdrie recorded $62.6 million in commercial/industrial construction value with many major projects being completed. It was the third highest commercial number in the city`s history.

http://www.airdrieecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1387699

 

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0109ALTA
Cold snap killed over 90% of pine beetles

Trees infested by the mountain pine beetle on both sides of the Bow Valley are now being cut and burned, and will continue to be until March.

Brad Jones, a forest health officer with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD), said Jan 8 the number of newly infested trees did not increase as significantly as originally predicted in the Canmore and Kananaskis area. Over 10,000 infected trees would found in Kananaskis.

"Our control work has been quite good up here, we have been able to hold our own but we do see immigration each year," Jones said.

http://www.cochranetimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1385960

 

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0109CHRN
Home sales fall over $70,000 per

Where have the good days gone?

In the past year, the average sale price of a home in Cochrane has tumbled by $71,408, a 17 per cent drop from $441,340 in December 2007 to $369,932 December 2008.

Jim Messner, a realtor with First Place Realty, attributed the slip to poor timing. At the same time the local housing market was beginning to naturally detract from a period of high growth, the world economy tumbled and the price of crude oil crashed, causing the market to fall quickly.

"It`s more like 2005 and 2006 were an anomaly and we`re getting back to where we were except for this global crisis. Is that going to take us down? Nobody knows those answers, but I really believe we are probably near the end here unless something else happens, positive or negative," Messner said.

http://www.cochranetimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1385948

 

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0109FTMC
McMurray job numbers positive

Despite a global recession and a drastically lower oil price, Fort McMurray is still a good place to find a job.

The unemployment rate for December 2008 has been released by Alberta Employment and Immigration, and the Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake region has experienced a decrease in unemployment. In November, the region`s unemployment rate was 4.1 per cent, meaning 3,000 locals were unemployed, but for December the rate was at 3.8 per cent, meaning 2,800 locals were unemployed.

That`s lower than both the national rate of 6.6 per cent and Alberta`s rate of 4.1 per cent, the lowest of any province.

http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1391681

 

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0109FTMC
December`s housing starts plummet from 2007

December was a mixed month for housing starts in Wood Buffalo, with some numbers up and others way down.

According to the preliminary housing starts released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), this region saw start-ups for single detached homes rise from 28 in December 2007, to 35 in December 2008 – a climb of 25 per cent.

The numbers for multiple family starts, however, were much gloomier. This December, only two new multiple family dwellings were started. That`s in contrast to the 257 started in December 2007 — a drop of 99.2 per cent.

http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1385923

 

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0109ALTA
Alberta to be best economy in country

The economy has been dominating the headlines on the news, in the coffee shops and in people`s homes.

Everyone is asking when things will turn around, how can we survive the wave of uncertainty sweeping the globe and will things fall even further.

While there were no steadfast answers provided during last week`s monthly meeting of the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the keynote speaker did provide the audience at the Dow Centennial Centre with a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/Arti....aspx?e=1391307

 

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0109ALBT
Beaverbrook lashes out at city land use bylaws

Out-of-date land use bylaws are keeping entry-level homes out of St. Albert, putting the city beyond the reach of professionals like teachers and police officers.

This was the frank complaint levelled at city hall by George Cantalini, president of Beaverbrook Developments, in a speech to the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.

A few years ago the city changed its development rules to allow half of residential lots to be smaller. Cantalini said other communities have gone much further in response to environmentally conscious and price-sensitive consumers who want denser, more sustainable and transit-friendly housing.

http://www.stalbertgazette.com/news/2009/0117/top1.htm

 

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0109ALBT
Housing market expected to rebound

The economic outlook in the city and the province isn`t great for 2009, but it`s not as bleak as it is in other places.

That was the general message emerging from the economic forum hosted by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce Wednesday.

In the housing market, existing homes will likely see prices move downward in the first quarter or half of the year, said Richard Goatcher, senior market analyst with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC.)

http://www.stalbertgazette.com/news/2009/0117/top5.htm

 

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0109REDR (Stettler)
Town service rates increase to connect and install water and sewer lines

Charges to connect and install water and sewer services in the Town of Stettler to residential properties have risen over 50 per cent to reflect rising costs.

At its regular meeting Jan. 6, town council adopted a policy prepared by operational services director John Keith.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/stettlerin...s/37578094.html

 

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0109STPL
Town updates land use bylaw

At Monday`s town council meeting, Stony Plain councillors agreed to update their land use bylaw.

The most significant changes to the municipality`s land use bylaw are the addition of several new land use districts, the addition of secondary suites as a permitted use in low density residential districts, an updated land use district map, updates to the flood overlay and downtown parking overlay and the addition of the Highway 16A overlay.

The new land use bylaw is the result of an extensive review and drafting process that began on October 2007.

http://www.stonyplainreporter.com/Top%20Stories/424026.html

 

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0109ALTA
College crunch? Economic downturn not having a big affect on post-secondary institutions in Alberta

An economic crunch affecting post-secondary institutions in Ontario is not being felt in Grande Prairie, Edmonton or Calgary, say representatives of colleges and universities in those cities.



Several universities in Ontario, including Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto, recently reported cuts in operating budgets and staff wage increases, among other issues.



Grande Prairie Regional College, the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta report no cuts in funding, staff or programs.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1389308

 

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0109GRPR
Plans for new subdivisions in the works

The future development of northern Grande Prairie reached city chambers Monday, as council discussed two area structure plans.



Council members passed second and third readings of area structure plans for Arbour Hills, bordered by 140 and 132 Avenues, and the Bear Creek Highlands area, which is northwest surrounded by 124 and 140 Avenues. Both were annexed by the city in July 2008.



The Arbour Hills area, about 260 hectares, will house about 5,000 residents, including close to 3,600 people in low density housing units and 1,600 in multi-family units.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1385310

 

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0109SHPK
Slowing real estate in `09

Investing in real estate might have been a good way to make some extra cash over the past couple years, but for 2009, realtors are warning buyers to be cautious to avoid getting in too far over their heads.

According to Charlie Ponde, the 2009 president of the Realtors Association of Edmonton, this is not the time for buyers to speculate about the market.

"Now we are kind of cautioning that this is not the time to buy to make money," Ponde said. "Over the period, you will make money, but initially, purchase the property to enjoy it and for your family to enjoy."

http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/ArticleDis....aspx?e=1384116

 

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0109LETH
County utility rate increase given first reading

County residents who receive water and sewer service could be looking at an increase in their utility rates come spring.
At last Thursday`s county council meeting first reading on Bylaw 1320 was approved calling for rate increased in both water and sewer. The bylaw will still require second and third reading before it can receive final approval by council and be included in the 2009 county budget.

http://www.sunnysouthnews.com/index.php?op...7&Itemid=60

 

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0109LETH
Development strong in `08 for Coaldale

Development was the buzz word in Coaldale over the past year.
Mayor Kim Craig said development was strong throughout the year with new residences in Cotton Wood and Parkside Acres. Several multi-family projects increased the mix of housing available in the town.
"We are hopeful that the Tim Hortons will just be the beginning of new commercial development."
He said Theo Tams brought a lot of excitement and national attention to Coaldale with his competition and winning of the 2008 Canadian Idol title. Many members of town council faithfully voted and attended the events that were organized during his quest to become the new Idol.

http://www.sunnysouthnews.com/index.php?op...3&Itemid=60