Category: Business/Finance

  • Okotoks Economic Development: A Year in Review 2014

    Okotoks Economic Development: A Year in Review 2014

      2014 was a big year in terms of community input including the Roger Brooks Community Assessment discussions to the Community Visioning Process, in addition to consulting with the developers to streamline the development process. On the business side of things, 564 storefront businesses registered in town, which translates to an overall increase of 2.3% in…

  • World of Choices Coming to Okotoks in March

    World of Choices Coming to Okotoks in March

      Join us on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Foothills Centennial Center as we celebrate the World of Choices available to you. If you are a young woman in Grade 10, 11 or 12 you are invited to join local Career Mentors as they share exciting aspects of their work. You will be exposed to…

  • The Silk Train: Part of Canada’s History

    The Silk Train: Part of Canada’s History

      (Contributed) Do you know, the most noteable trains on the CPR mainline were the silk trains. Historically speaking, old railroaders still speak nostalgically of the silk train era, when super fast trains carrying costly, highly perishable raw silk, highballed it across Canada from Vancouver at speeds that are still records. The era was fostered…

  • Alberta’s Energy Minister Tours Heartland Region

    Alberta’s Energy Minister Tours Heartland Region

      Over $14 billion in current and planned expansion in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland showcased to provincial government officials Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta — Industrial growth continues in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland despite recent challenges to the province’s energy sector from lower oil prices. Alberta’s Energy Minister, Honourable Frank Oberle, along with local MLA Jacquie Fenske, Fort Saskatchewan/Vegreville,…

  • Government Seeks Input on Budget 2015

    Government Seeks Input on Budget 2015

      Albertans can tell government how to address the $7 billion challenge facing Budget 2015. A new online survey asks Albertans to identify spending reductions and revenue opportunities to address the financial challenges caused by low oil prices. Ideas are also invited on how to stabilize Alberta’s revenue over the longer term. Low oil prices…

  • Protecting Alberta Taxpayers: Wildrose MLAs Sign No New Taxes Pledge

    Protecting Alberta Taxpayers: Wildrose MLAs Sign No New Taxes Pledge

      EDMONTON, AB – While the Prentice PCs are talking about raising job-killing taxes during a time of economic uncertainty, Wildrose MLAs are signing a pledge today to protect Alberta taxpayers from any new tax or increase to existing taxes proposed by the PC government. (The Wildrose) pledge is the first of several Protecting Alberta Taxpayers announcements…

  • CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate wins Grand Centurion Award

    CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate wins Grand Centurion Award

      High River, Alberta – CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate has been awarded the Grand Centurion Award by Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership. The award was presented at the CENTURY 21 Annual Awards Event at The Westin Hotel Edmonton on February 2nd. “We’ve been striving to provide the highest level of service to each one of…

  • PCs Vote Down Wildrose Motion to Reduce MLA And Cabinet Pay: Strankman

      EDMONTON, AB – The PCs proved they aren’t interested in saving money for taxpayers or cutting wasteful spending by rejecting a Wildrose motion to reduce MLA and cabinet minister pay, Wildrose MLA Rick Strankman said. On Wednesday, in Members’ Services Committee, the PCs rejected a Wildrose motion to reduce MLA pay by 8 per…

  • Saving Millions by Cutting Red Tape

    Saving Millions by Cutting Red Tape

    Cut Red Tape program saves The City and Calgarians millions of dollars and thousands of hours Program transitioning into daily City operations The latest update from The City of Calgary’s Cut Red Tape program shows that at least $12.7 million dollars have been cumulatively saved by The City and its customers through over 40 red…

  • Staples, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Office Depot, Inc.

    Staples, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Office Depot, Inc.

      Combined Company Better Positioned to Serve the Changing Needs of Customers and Compete Against a Large and Diverse Set of Competitors FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & BOCA RATON, Fla.,–(BUSINESS WIRE)-–Wednesday, February 4, 2015–Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) and Office Depot, Inc. (Nasdaq: ODP) today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Staples…

  • Home Hardware Named One of the Country’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures

    Home Hardware Named One of the Country’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures

    ST. JACOBS, ON/CNW/ – Home Hardware Stores Limited is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures for having a culture that has impacted its performance. 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures program. The award was created by executive search firm Waterstone Human…

  • Calgary Housing Market: Consumer Confidence Impacting Demand

    Calgary Housing Market: Consumer Confidence Impacting Demand

      Calgary sales in January totaled 880 units, well below typical activity Calgary – Low oil prices throughout January, combined with a shifting outlook in the energy sector, caused unease for consumers. As a result, monthly housing sales activity fell to levels not seen in five years. “Economic conditions this year are expected to be weaker…

  • Prentice Talk on Eroding Alberta Advantage Will Hurt all Albertans: Wildrose

      EDMONTON, AB – Premier Jim Prentice’s musings about implementing a regressive sales tax and attacking Alberta’s single-rate tax as being an obstacle to poor and middle income families are inaccurate, will erode the Alberta advantage and hurt all Albertans, Wildrose Finance Critic Drew Barnes said. Alberta’s large Basic Personal Exemption on personal tax rates…

  • Regulation Costs Canadian Businesses $37 Billion a Year

    Regulation Costs Canadian Businesses $37 Billion a Year

      Red tape deterring next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs Toronto – Canada’s Red Tape Report, issued on day three of Red Tape Awareness WeekTM, revealed that the total cost of regulation to Canadian businesses has grown to $37.1 billion, up from $31.7 billion in 2012.  In terms of time, businesses spent an average of 842…

  • New Year, New Growth Opportunities!

    Steer your business to success by entering the 2015 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award for a chance to win $100,000 Montreal, January 28, 2015—The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is accepting applications for the 2015 edition of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award. Canadian business owners aged 18 to 35 will compete for a grand prize of $100,000 and a…