Additionally to the points Thomas has made, ensure that you are examining the "real estate life cycle" observe the differences in the rental and retail real estate markets. In Edmonton especially, there is a noted difference to the construction that is underway in these similar asset classes. Resale value of a SFH rental will pretty much just be the market value (based on comps) less some amount because it has been lived in by renters who usually don't take as good of care of it as the average home owner. (Yes, I take good care of my rentals). Even with a suited home, it has a pretty flat additional market value. Usually just the comparable market price of the home + ~$30 k for legal suite or + $15 - 20 k for non-conforming suite.
For an overview of these cities and to get a sense of the real estate cycle, probably start by talking to investors in the areas. Pretty much any time you want detailed information you need to go out and create your own primary data....inventory the recent sales, attributes, and selling price. Compare to what is available on market. Research the building permits (new houses available for retail should be 12 months out). Check out the land developers for number of new lots underway. Many land developers post the number of serviced lots available. If not, drive through the neighborhood with the stage maps. If the developer doesn't provide the stage maps, read through the city council minutes and print off the maps provided in the NSP (neighborhood structure plan). Calculate the months of supply of vacant, serviced lots. Along with the NSP, you will want to compare that with the city's NSP and approved infrastructure developments - just the broad strokes of the zoning changes will give you some idea on how the city hopes to develop as a community.
The importance of primary data is often ignored by REIN but it is ultimately the most critical part of your due diligence. All of these CMHC and Conference Board reports are great but they are already 1 - 3 months old at publication. I'm not talking about timing the market here either. Primary data will provide you with a much more qualified assessment of the current status of the market. This means creating a database (even in Excel) and tracking data over time.
Obviously this is far too much work to do on 7 different communities, so narrow down the list to one and really understand the real estate cycle in that market. Real estate is a very illiquid and variable asset. There are likely great opportunities in all of those markets for the right investor.