Greatest Boom Ever

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   

Canada can’t keep the lights on anymore by relying on its playbook of operating siloed regional utilities, favouring trade to the U.S. over neighbouring provinces, and coasting by on its serendipitous geology and geography. For a nation rich in oil, gas, hydro, wind, solar and critical minerals, we have somehow shot wide on an empty net. We have allowed this supercharged resource portfolio to fracture into incompatible energy kingdoms where power lines encounter resistance at provincial borders, we can’t refine raw products we extract, and proposed energy infrastructure projects face insurmountable regulatory hurdles. The potential of uniting the country with nation-spanning energy corridors, enabling the optimized distribution of domestic molecules, megawatts, and free trade from coast to (almost) coast is enticing. It could be the nation-building co-operation we need in these Awaiting a cut to 650 unprecedented times.   https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/national-corrid...

In a real estate market like the one we see today in Alberta and in several other Canadian  jurisdictions , price reductions are more common.   https://edmontonjournal.com/life/homes/faulkner-the-truth-about-price-reductions   

The cost of living is catching up to a large chunk of Canadians, with almost one in four taking on new debt in the last year, a new report has found.   https://globalnews.ca/news/11544814/canadians-debts-rise-survey/   

Airdrie’s Municipal Accommodation Tax resolution was adopted at the 2025 Alberta Municipalities convention on Nov. 13.   https://discoverairdrie.com/articles/airdries-accommodation-tax-plan-passes-at-abmunis-convention--heres-what-the-city-pitched

This month’s bombshell report about the growing gap between Canadians who retire early and life expectancy suggests further fallout for retirees who rely on home equity loans.   https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/opinion/2025/11/28/40-year-retirement-could-spell-disaster-for-early-retirees-who-borrow-against-their-homes-dale-jackson/   

      Mayor Sandy Bowman hopes an agreement between Alberta and Ottawa that includes plans for a major west coast pipeline will bring years of economic investment, job  growth  and stability to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. He  added  the region is ready for any population growth that might come with those economic spinoffs.   https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/fort-mcmurray-political-business-leaders-praise-alberta-ottawa-mou   

You can expect to see a 4.34 per cent tentative tax increase in 2026 after Grande Prairie City Council wrapped up budget deliberations a day early.   https://www.mygrandeprairienow.com/149857/news/municipal-news/gp-city-hall/4-34-per-cent-property-tax-increase-part-of-proposed-2026-municipal-budget/        

Flights will begin taking off and landing Friday on the reopened west runway at the Calgary International Airport, after a two-year, $200-million rebuild.  https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-international-airport-reopens-west-runway-rebuild-completion

Oil prices are down, expenses are up, population’s still growing ahead of national rates — these are the downward pressures keeping the Alberta economy in check and the deficit up.  https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/low-oil-prices-and-tariffs-result-in-6-4-billion-projected-second-quarter-alberta-deficit/wcm/370e79dc-15b7-416e-9007-8f43a819c5ce  

Affordable suburbs across Australia are disappearing at breakneck speed, collapsing to just one in five still within reach of the average househunter – the sharpest deterioration in years. https://www.realestate.com.au/news/revealed-australias-best-affordable-liveable-suburbs/   

Mortgage rates have hovered around the same range for roughly two months, giving current borrowers nor potential homebuyers little incentive to get into the market. Total mortgage application volume was essentially flat last week, up just 0.2% from the prior week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.  https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/homebuyers-make-a-last-gasp-effort-before-the-holidays-but-interest-rates-offer-little-incentive.html?irclickid=3A5zRdQ5AxycRGeR6CS0UzKpUkpTQURF3wdgR00&irpid=2605817&irgwc=1&afsrc=1

The Town of Devon’s proposed 2026 budget has a suggested tax increase of 7 per cent.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3vb8vr8d  

    This past week in Calgary has been a little bit colder than normal. I often like to walk because sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time is not something I have ever been able to do. As I walked through my neighborhood, the roofs had snow on them which had not all been blown or melted away. I always look to the roof to see if there is even a little bit on top. My motivation for doing so is not for aesthetic appeal or design but something much more ominous.   Houses  used for  to grow marijuana must be kept at  high temperatures  for growth to occur .  For  this much  excessive heat to be present in the house, it means any snow on the roof must be melted away. No snow on the roof means it has  a potential  to be a  grow  operation. Dark curtains are another indicator potential criminal activity is present.   Fortunately, I did not see any on my  walks  but I am always wa...

    So  you have  purchased  a rental property and have an excellent tenant who pays their rent on time and has excellent references. The question will inevitably come up as to who pays the utilities.   The answer is simple and clear. Since the tenant lives there and uses those services, they should pay for the heat,  water,   electricity ,  internet  and cable. This is not to say that you cannot use a free DVD player or IPOD as an incentive for a tenant to move in. It means that your property will never produce positive cash flow if you include  all of  these essentials. Having said that, it is your responsibility to ensure the furnace is cleaned regularly ( probably every  two-three  years ), all the plumbing and electrical units are working and up to specified code. Also ensure that your tenant has all the energy efficient electrical bulbs they  require .   For a multifamily property, the owner  is r...

Real estate is expected to be in transition next year as companies look to find new sources of growth, with Calgary’s market  emerging  as a particular bright spot, according to a PwC Canada report.   The report, completed in partnership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), said there will be a shift to rental properties in Canada’s two largest real estate markets.   https://financialpost.com/real-estate/calgary-canadas-top-real-estate-market-amid-transitionary-2026-report      

    Mention the word “investing” to any person on the street and they will  most likely think  of stocks or mutual funds. Others might mention options,  futures  or other exotic entities such as art. However, they all have one thing in common which sets them apart from real estate.   You do not need to own Apple’s stock or a call option for Coke. You do however need a place to  live  and it does not matter if you own or rent. Housing is a basic human  need  and that is why real estate will continue to exist in the future as an investment vehicle. I also like to mention that paper assets that  related  to real estate such as utility companies and banks are some of my favorite stocks. People may complain about their water bill, but it will always be a high priority on the list of monthly expenses. I also believe that internet  access  which the United Nations has declared as a basic human  right  could ve...