Greatest Boom Ever

The next time the Alberta government has a spare $130 million to spend on a high-visibility program, it should consider spending it on rebuilding our province’s immigration program from the ground up.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/46y43csx  

The dream of owning a first home seems more out of reach these days. The onus of coming up with a down payment, the seemingly ever-increasing home prices — not to mention the uncertainty brought about by the trade war with the United States — the challenge of it all seems more daunting than ever.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/43ndnd69    

Over the summer, I was impressed by the park improvements happening across Calgary. In particular, two unique park developments on the east side of the Deerfoot Trail — The Martin Family Legacy Garden and the Martin Family Pump Track and Skatepark — both thanks to the Martin Family and Parks Foundation Calgary.     Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3napw6x4     

When people think about the infrastructure that supports a growing community, they often think about roads, bridges, schools or hospitals. Rarely do they think about the pipes, treatment plants, reservoirs and pumping stations that deliver clean water and safely manage wastewater every day.         Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mwcwh7ek  

Truckers and farmers paying record prices for diesel this fall have been asking a reasonable question: if Canada has so much oil, why can’t it make more of its own fuel?       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/bdhpd76f     

The Town of Diamond Valley has given notice it will be increasing franchise fees to begin 2027.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mrxzj6tv     

Members of the subdivision and appeal board say they will provide a decision within days on a development permit application for a 25-unit campground proposed at the former Ross Creek Golf Course.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/knedvpz4  

Australians already buckling under soaring household costs are facing the prospect of yet another rate rise, with new research revealing which cities are feeling the bill shock most acutely.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/55jvspsm         

Calgary’s condominium market is not like Toronto’s or Vancouver’s, and that’s good news given the struggle those markets have experienced in recent years with oversupply and insufficient demand.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5n3vrvjn     

The income Canadians need to afford a home fell between August and September across all major housing markets except one, according to Ratehub’s latest affordability report.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ 46cm 3p2p    

Buying new generally involves a price premium over resale homes, including condominiums, and a new study suggests that the price spread in Edmonton’s real estate market is among the largest in Canada.           Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5aftab8a      

With festivals, concerts, attractions, events, plus bars, pubs, and clubs, Edmonton is clearly an entertainment city.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/m92bvdb3     

Public trust in the City of Calgary is the highest it’s been in eight years, according to the latest citizen satisfaction survey.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yrw6vby4      

I build infill housing in Edmonton, and I understand why the debate over the city’s new zoning rules has become so heated. Residents are worried about parking, garbage collection, privacy, sunlight, neighbourhood character and the scale of new buildings beside older homes. Those concerns deserve a serious response.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/48mfmnxn