Infrastructure projects have very long timelines and by the time shovels hit the ground the recession is usually over and recovery has begun, think tank argues
Looking to discretionary public infrastructure investments as a response to economic downturns may be a poor policy choice, suggests a new study released Wednesday by public policy think-tank the Fraser Institute. The Fiscal Policy and Recessions: The Role of Public Infrastructure Spending report said infrastructure spending is not an effective policy for stimulating the economy…
We don’t recognize that times and technology have changed, we’ve been holding the organization back or we’re just exhausted by our years of leadership
It wasn’t the several times I almost died on the job. It wasn’t when I fell off roofs or rolled heavy equipment. But I can remember the day and time I knew I had to get out of construction. It was -35C and I was demolishing a gas station for my employer. As I went…
Yes, a downtown can be revitalized. But how to do it successfully – as Moncton has – remains a bit of a mystery
If there’s anything special about the much-ballyhooed Moncton Miracle, it’s that this New Brunswick city manages to thrive despite itself. That could be said about almost all successful municipalities, of course. But one look at this community’s downtown core five years ago and you would not have detected anything remotely resembling gritty determination. Look anywhere…
U of C-area development has secured new retailers and officially broken ground on its three-acre Central Park
The massive mixed-use University District development in Calgary has launched a new residential condominium project, secured new retailers and officially broken ground on its three-acre Central Park. West Campus Development Trust, which is spearheading the overall development, and Avi Urban announced recently that the new condo project, Argyle, will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom condos.…
Pace of new home construction is projected to gain traction in 2020 and 2021
Stronger in-migration into the Calgary area will fuel housing demand and result in gains in MLS ales over the next two years, says the Housing Market Outlook report released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Supported by strong population growth, the pace of new home construction is projected to gain traction in 2020 and 2021…
Some impressive numbers were released on Tuesday indicating that September was a good month for homebuilders in the Calgary and Edmonton regions. According to statistics from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., the Edmonton census metropolitan area saw single-detached housing starts of 403 for the month, up nine per cent year over year. The ‘all other’…
Residential construction in the province was up by 4.1 per cent in July compared to June
There are encouraging signs that Alberta’s economy may have hit bottom and is in early recovery. Alberta Treasure Branch reports that investment in residential construction in the province was up by 4.1 per cent in July compared to June, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Although it remains well below where it was a year ago,…
Mauro Plenzik talks about how Maskell Plenzik & Partners has kept abreast of a changing marketplace, remaining prepared, nimble and capable
Mauro Plenzik is principal of Maskell Plenzik & Partners Engineering Inc. in Calgary. What is Maskell Plenzik & Partners Engineering and what do you do? Plenzik: Maskell Plenzik and Partners is an electrical engineering consulting firm that specializes in buildings’ electrical, communication and security design. Further to the broad range of design services we provide…
Alberta was the province with the highest percentage of home renovations over $50,000 during the last 12 months, according to a new study. “The higher spend in Alberta may be attributed to the devastating fire in Fort McMurray which resulted in a boost to renovations and repairs on homes in that area, with many projects…
Dana Bouwman of Insight Insurance and Risk Management in Edmonton talks about how to build and sustain a client list
Dana Bouwman is account executive at Insight Insurance & Risk Management in Edmonton. Tell me a little bit about what you do? How and why did you get involved in this career? Bouwman: I facilitate liability and property insurance programs for mid-sized companies. Specifically, I focus on construction, manufacturing, and tech companies that have $10-plus-million…
Looking to discretionary public infrastructure investments as a response to economic downturns may be a poor policy choice, suggests a new study released Wednesday by public policy think-tank the Fraser Institute. The Fiscal Policy and Recessions: The Role of Public Infrastructure Spending report said infrastructure spending is not an effective policy for stimulating the economy…
