Category: Business/Finance

  • Making sure your asset allocation fits

    By Kim Inglis According to a recent survey done by Franklin Templeton, Canadians are generally quite optimistic about their future, with 92% looking forward to retirement.  On the whole, Canadians are planning on traveling, spending time with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies.  Despite the optimism, 82% are concerned about paying expenses in retirement.  Specifically,…

  • Changes to Canada’s Mortgage Market

    Changes to Canada’s Mortgage Market

    Canadian Bankers Association Fast facts Since 2008, the federal government has made several changes to the rules for government-backed insured mortgages that have included reducing amortization periods and increasing the minimum down payment required for home buyers. In 2012, the banks’ regulator also introduced a new guideline that sets out requirements for prudent mortgage lending…

  • Finance ministers urged to take CPP/QPP hike off the table given state of economy

    Finance ministers urged to take CPP/QPP hike off the table given state of economy

      Hike would initially cost economy 110,000 jobs; AB economy would suffer another major hit  Toronto/Calgary – As federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers prepare to meet, Canada’s top job creators are sending them a clear message: Say no to a mandatory Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) hike that would act as…

  • Alberta’s Forest Industry Stable in First Half of 2015…

    Alberta’s Forest Industry Stable in First Half of 2015…

    Industry faces challenges and embraces opportunities  Edmonton – In the first half of 2015 Alberta’s forest sector began to slow, but remains stable. Values of lumber, pulp and paper, and panelboard manufactured by Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) members totaled $750 million in the 1st quarter of 2015 and $718 million in the 2nd quarter.…

  • NDP Must Detail Exactly How and When Bill 6 Consultations Will Happen: Wildrose

    NDP Must Detail Exactly How and When Bill 6 Consultations Will Happen: Wildrose

      EDMONTON, AB (December 16, 2015): Wildrose is calling on the premier to release details about exactly how and when the government will conduct Bill 6 consultations on regulations for farmers and ranchers in the new year. The demand is driven by NDP documents (below) which show that the government originally planned upcoming “special” sessions…

  • With Gov’t Documents Warning of Further Job Loss, NDP Should Delay Dramatic Minimum Wage Increase

    With Gov’t Documents Warning of Further Job Loss, NDP Should Delay Dramatic Minimum Wage Increase

      EDMONTON, AB (December 16, 2015): The NDP government should listen to its own department’s advice, and delay its dramatic minimum wage increase before “significant job loss” becomes a reality, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today. The warnings were listed in an internal briefing note obtained by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). It…

  • Xplornet Acquires Platinum Communications, Serving More Broadband Customers in Alberta

    Xplornet Acquires Platinum Communications, Serving More Broadband Customers in Alberta

      Woodstock, NB – Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada’s leading rural high-speed Internet service provider, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Platinum Communications Corporation. Located in Calgary Alberta, Platinum is one of Alberta’s farthest-reaching providers of broadband services to remote locations. “We’re delighted to welcome Platinum customers to the Xplornet family,” said Mr. Allison Lenehan,…

  • AltaLink’s New Transmission Line Leading Alberta to a Greener Future

    AltaLink’s New Transmission Line Leading Alberta to a Greener Future

    Alberta’s first in-service direct current transmission line to help reduce carbon emissions CALGARY, Alberta – AltaLink’s Western Alberta Transmission Line, Alberta’s first in-service direct current (DC) line, is now transmitting electricity on the provincial power grid. “We began running power through the line in November as part of a system testing process,” said Scott Thon,…

  • Deficits in Good Times Lead to Trouble in Bad Times

      Trudeau government has rejected the successful policies of the Chretien government in exchange for deficit-financed spending and higher taxes By Jason Clemens Niels Veldhuis and Milagros Palacios The Fraser Institute VANCOUVER, B.C./ Troy Media/ – While the Liberals campaigned on a marked increase in federal spending financed by deficits, Canadians view this approach more…

  • Jessica’s Closet is Open in Turner Valley

    Jessica’s Closet is Open in Turner Valley

      Jessica McNutt recently completed the H.I.R.E. (Having Inclusive Rewarding Employment) program offered through Foothills SNAPS and is now the proud owner of Jessica’s Closet, a retail thrift store in Turner Valley. Celebrating with Jessica at her grand opening on December 5, 2015 are Ricki Hillier, Community Awareness Coordinator and Alise Kuipers, Project Coordinator for…

  • Small Business gives Alberta High Marks Among Canada’s Workers’ Compensation Systems

      Central Canada lags behind in CFIB ranking  CALGARY – Alberta boasts the nation’s most improved workers’ compensation system, moving from fifth to third, according to the second edition of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ (CFIB) Small Business Workers’ Compensation Index.  The report ranked workers’ compensation systems through the lens of a small- and medium-sized…

  • École Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts (ÉSFCHS/AHSFA) Christmas Mini-Market

    École Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts (ÉSFCHS/AHSFA) Christmas Mini-Market

      Students in teacher Lyndsi Irwin’s Business Studies 10, 20, 30 classes geared up for the school’s traditional Christmas Market on Wednesday, November 25th. In a departure from previous years, the market involved student vendors only — but at all three Business Studies levels — and occurred during the school day, with the main target market…

  • AccorHotels to Acquire Three Iconic Hotel Brands – Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel

    AccorHotels to Acquire Three Iconic Hotel Brands – Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel

    A strategic deal to create a worldwide leader in the luxury segment An unrivalled collection of iconic hotel assets with 155 hotels and resorts, of which 40 are under development Acquisition to provide AccorHotels with robust and global leadership in luxury hotels, a key segment in terms of geographic reach, growth potential and profitability, for…

  • CFIB Research Shows Bill 6 Ignores Realities of Farming

    CFIB Research Shows Bill 6 Ignores Realities of Farming

      Majority of Alberta farmers oppose mandatory ‘one-size-fits-all’ legislation Calgary, December 10, 2015 –The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) today released survey data highlighting farmers’ serious concerns about the Alberta Government’s Bill 6 – the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. According to the CFIB research, Alberta farmers say the most effective…

  • Alberta Entrepreneurs Deserve Property Tax Fairness

    Alberta Entrepreneurs Deserve Property Tax Fairness

      CFIB study reveals commercial property tax rates still almost two and a half times residential rate CALGARY – (Monday) the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released Entrepreneurs Deserve Property Tax Fairness, a report which analyzes residential and commercial property tax rates levied by Alberta’s 86  municipalities with populations greater than 5,000 from 2003 to 2014,…