Greatest Boom Ever

With Edmonton’s civic election now six weeks in the rear-view mirror, it is a good moment to reflect on a few issues that had a big presence in the campaign, those that  didn’t , and how some from both categories are now playing out with the new council.       Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/464mbdhb  

Many people dream of escaping the 9-5 rat race.  In order to  succeed at this endeavor, one must realize that leverage and cash flow are essential to reaching one's goal. At this point, some believe that real estate is the answer and that when someone runs out of their own capital, they should joint venture their way to finding more money to buy more properties. This completely misses the point that the best joint venture partner one could ever have is owning your own business! It will teach you how to market yourself, deal in negotiations, present business plans to  bankers  and other useful skills that propel one forward. A business in and of itself can give you everything you  desire  in terms of financial freedom far beyond owning  numerous  rental properties which is what real estate seminars want you to believe. Below is the video of my favorite dialogue from the 2010 movie "The Social Network". Please have a look:   Video:  https:...

The price for natural gas is set to climb again, while power prices remain at the minimum mandated rate.       Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/5dnm3vuc     

An extra $81 billion over five years for updating and ramping up Canada’s defence systems — and holding up Canada’s end for NATO — represents great opportunity for Alberta companies, Peter MacKay says.       Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/bd8vb3v6  

Renting an infill apartment?       Better ask about a parking spot.       Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/mur69mcc     

A new commercial centre is in the works for a rapidly developing pocket of southwest Edmonton, with a multi-use complex set to be constructed in Windermere.   Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/yt52z6xa  

A group representing oil and gas drillers says it’s expecting a slight uptick in activity next year in Canada.   Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/2pahkp7b  

In line with typical seasonal trends, sales, new listings and inventory levels all slowed relative to last month.    https://www.creb.com/News/CREBNow/2025/December/december_2025_stats/  

Cochrane town council will review its revised draft of the 2026 budget tonight during a committee of the whole meeting, following deliberations that have resulted in a larger operational budget than initially proposed by town administration.   Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/4tpf8yfk  

Calgary lost nearly a quarter of its treated water supply last year due to leaky pipes, so the city has launched a program to address that problem more quickly. The catastrophic  Bearspaw feeder main break  last June only accounted for 0.5 per cent of the city’s 22 per cent water loss in 2024, according to the city. It’s an issue the city says it's been trying to get a handle on for decades. According to data provided by the city, Calgary’s water loss has been above 20 per cent for at least five years. Over that time, it peaked in 2019, when it hit 24 per cent.   Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/4thfneeh  

Recently, we have noted that U.S. investors are increasingly buying Canadian Oil & Gas companies, even as global oil prices move lower. According to McCrea, U.S. funds now own about 59% of Canadian oil and gas companies, up from 56% at the end of 2024, while investments by Canadians have declined to 34% from 37%. The shift in investments has been even more dramatic for some Canadian companies, with Brian Schmidt, CEO of Tamarack Valley Energy (OTCPK:TNEYF), revealing that U.S. ownership of his company has doubled to 40%, up from 20% before the pandemic while Americans own nearly two thirds of Whitecap Resources (OTCPK:WCPRF) compared to 60% at the end of last year.   https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Canadian-Energy-Companies-Are-Outperforming-Despite-Weak-Oil-Prices.html

  A long standing hole near St. Albert's downtown is back under construction, prompting hopes of a net-zero apartment complex sometime next year.    Read more:  https://tinyurl.com/3xnhu5r9  

After clearing a million people in 2021, four years sooner than expected, Edmonton’s population boom  has continued .   https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/growth-plan-report    

After a decade of major economic disruptions, the city is aiming to stabilize its finances as Edmonton grapples with growth and tough fiscal decisions. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/city-looking-to-close-52-million-fiscal-hole-in-budget