Greatest Boom Ever

Emphasizing pressures from inflation,  population growth and strained infrastructure, city of Calgary administration has brought forward a proposal that touts a 15% increase in property taxes in 2027 with more potential increases to follow in years to come.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mpswnfjw     

Most taxpayers will likely never have to worry about the dreaded alternative minimum tax (AMT) as it generally only affects high-income Canadians. But AMT does occasionally arise for more modest income earners who realize a one-time capital gain on the sale of their business, vacation home or on an income property. A Montreal taxpayer found this out the hard way and went to court, twice, to challenge the government’s right to charge him AMT. Before delving into the details of this unusual tax case, here’s a primer on AMT.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2puh3vhp  

Alberta will add a sixth area code next year to keep up with demand, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced Tuesday.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yn66vyra     

The County of Grande Prairie has issued a development permit for an AI data centre near Sexsmith, prompting officials to change how similar projects will be reviewed after residents raised concerns about the approval process.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/587vxe74

The Alberta community synonymous with meteoric oil booms and crippling busts is now staring down another potential wave of economic fortune.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3psvwv2m      

Eight beachside blocks being auctioned from just $1 in Port Douglas could ultimately fetch more than $1m each, with strong early interest coming from Sydney and Melbourne buyers.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/9keywm3y     

The Government of Alberta is preparing to launch a Request for Proposal process this fall for a high-speed rail project connecting Alberta’s two biggest cities, linking Edmonton and Calgary with a train.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2byhdb7p  

Follow the money.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4yad8jxb     

An Airdrie-backed proposal calling for a portion of provincial budget surpluses to fund municipal infrastructure received 90.7 per cent support at last week's Alberta Municipalities ( ABmunis ) convention.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2hdfwvz2     

The city received more than 50 residential building permit requests for new garages and other alterations to homes last month, totalling more than $1 million, while also issuing 12 new permits for tri- and four-plexes.       Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yc8bavpj     

        For years, Alberta stood as Canada's affordability refuge. While Vancouver and Toronto priced out average families, Calgary and Edmonton offered spacious homes at fractions of the cost. That gap is narrowing—fast.   The Current Landscape (2026)   Alberta remains relatively affordable compared to British Columbia and Ontario, but the buffer is shrinking. As of mid-2026, Calgary's benchmark home price hovers around $550,000–$600,000— roughly half of Vancouver's and significantly below Toronto's $1.1 million average. Edmonton offers even better value, with typical homes selling below $400,000.   The rental picture tells a sharper story. Calgary's average rent jumped nearly 15% year-over-year, approaching $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. While still below Toronto and Vancouver, the rate of increase outpaces wage growth, squeezing tenants who migrated here precisely for lower costs.   Why Prices Are Rising   Record interprovincial ...