Edmonton Listings Report
- July 26, 2010
Funding Cut Short for Edmonton Housing Project
An Edmonton project that would provide affordable housing for 14 men may not be completed unless the city provides $459,000 in funding. Mike Brown, who chairs Safe Harbour Homes, told City Council he feels victimized that this money has been withheld from the project.
The controversy stems from a report issued in May by David Wiun, city auditor. In the report, Wiun contested the grant of $918,000 to construct the duplex-style residence, saying that the building’s value would be about 50 percent of the amount originally estimated.
Wiun said that in reviewing the grant application, he saw no guarantees that the building would operate as Brown described. He also had concerns about the size of the rooms. City planning experts and residents are worried that the building would operate mainly as a boarding house.
As a result of Wiun’s report, Walter Trocenko, housing branch manager, halted the advance of the $459,000 until he could address the concerns raised in the report. Brown, who initiated Safe Harbour Homes in 2005, was a longtime city employee. He acknowledged that the city often makes mistakes in auditing processes, but said he felt as though he were stuck in a bureaucratic mess.
Nearly 90 percent of construction is complete on the 97th Street duplex. The building was to be ready for occupancy by May 31. Brown said he is prepared to enter arbitration if funds are not released in the near future.
Brown said that the residence would provide single private rooms, plus common areas for kitchen, laundry and other facilities. Rent is $500 per month. The occupants are projected to be men employed at low-income jobs. Brown is confident about the building’s safety in the neighbourhood, noting that his organization operates another facility for men in addiction programs and has never had a problem in its five years of existence.
Edmonton Listings Report
- July 5, 2010
Edmonton Focuses on Spending, Saving
Edmonton city councillors are in disagreement over tax increases. Tax hikes in 2010 averaged 4.9 per cent, and early estimates figured a property tax hike in 2011 would hit 10.5 per cent. However, proposed higher revenue and spending cuts would reduce that number to five per cent.
In 2011, the city aims to reduce spending to $76 million, a drop of $22.1 million, and increase revenue by $25.5 million. Borrowing costs total approximately $18.9 million for projects including widening the Quesnel Bridge, building the Terwillegar recreation centre and building new zoo enclosures.
The city budget also plans to raise $1 million from transit ads, parking meters and fines, raise $2 million from red light cameras and photo radar fines, and getting rid of 37 positions.
Higher taxes would be divided between two per cent to repair neighbourhoods and three per cent to provide city services.
Increased transit fares would also add to revenue. In 2007, a five-year plan was adopted to increase the fares. Annual senior passes, fares and adult passes are supposed to rise in cost in 2011. Adult passes are intended to rise to $89 by 2012 and cash fares from $2.50 to $3. These raises would help cover transit costs.
Some councillors disagree with the hikes, believing that the increases would deter transit goers when the city is trying to encourage them most. Other councillors believe tax increases need to be higher to reflect reality.
Edmonton Listings Report
- June 6, 2010
“Peter Puck” Is Out of Luck - Again
In Edmonton Peter Pocklington will forever be known as the man who traded Wayne Gretsky from the Oilers to a team not even within Canadian borders, the Los Angeles Kings. The city was not pleased. Edmonton was already upset with the man because he brought in replacement workers to his Gainers packing plant to break the union. So the man once known as “Peter Puck” because of the Oilers’ stellar success under his ownership (five Stanley Cups within a decade), went south.
He bought a home in Palm Springs, California and left behind a mountain of debt and a score of unhappy people, including the Alberta Government. In 1988, the province loaned Pocklington $2 million to save his meat packing company. Today, with interest, the amount owed is $13 million.
Now Pocklington is in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service in the United States for tax evasion. He filed for bankruptcy and failed to properly disclose his assets and income. Pleading guilty to a charge of perjury, and faced with having to file three years of back tax forms, Pocklington is hoping to get away with home detention and probation as a sentence. He is not a U.S. citizen, so deportation is a possibility, but considering he owes the IRS and others in the States, not likely.
Edmonton Listings Report
- April 23, 2010
Mortgage Rate Honeymoon Almost Over
Mortgage holders have been enjoying interest rates that have not been seen in decades and most likely will not be seen again in the foreseeable future. Well, as they say, the honeymoon is over. Get ready for a healthy dose of reality as those teeny tiny mortgage percentage figures gradually become figments of the imagination.
New mortgage rules, already in effect, mean that buyers must qualify for a five year fixed rate mortgage even if they sign the dotted line on a lower cost package. That is unless you can come up with a 20 percent down payment. The old rules only required 5 percent down and qualification on the loan that you actually sign.
While most people are focusing on the real estate market and how the increase will affect home sales and affordability, it seems the bond market also bears watching. That market has already upped its lending rates an average of 6/10 of a percent at most banks in anticipation of the mortgage rate increase. The bond traders are the ones that govern the fixed rate mortgages. The Bank of Canada’s mortgage rates affect variable mortgages.
No one knows exactly what the effect of a high dollar will have on Canadian inflation or how much mortgages will increase over the next few years. The only certainty is that the increases, and higher mortgage payments, are on their way.
Edmonton Listings Report
- March 30, 2010
York Hotel Lounge Closes Its Doors - For Good
The York Hotel tavern is closed for good. Despite having a loyal following, some of whom have been coming to the pub at 10401 96th Street for well over 25 years, the pub’s chequered past has finally caught up with it. There was just one too many bar fight causing one too many police visits and as they say, that was that.
In 2007-2008, the York Hotel tavern was visited by police, fire, ambulance staff as well as liquor license and fire inspectors 1.226 times. That is more than all of the businesses at the giant West Edmonton Mall put together. Needless to say, city officials are glad to see the doors close.
The head of Edmonton’s public safety team, Sgt. Nicole Chapdelaine is glad the lounge is finally closed. She had been trying since January to shut it down because of the high number of assaults on the property. The York has been operating since then pending an appeal that was supposed to have been heard this April. An offer by the city to purchase the property to become part of the Boyle Renaissance housing project was accepted at the last minute by the owners and they dropped the appeal.
The city had asked the bar owners not to announce the sale, fearing patrons would riot or in other ways show their displeasure. It wasn’t until after the fact that regulars found out they would have to find another place to socialize and drown their sorrows. No doubt among those sorrows would be lamentations about the home away from home that abruptly closed it doors without a proper send-off.
Edmonton Listings Report
- March 15, 2010
Survey: Edmonton Faces Moderate Hiring Environment
The Edmonton job environment is still unstable, as results from a new survey indicate an increase in the number of employers planning staff cuts or hiring freezes. The Manpower survey, released March 9, shows that intent to hire for the second quarter has decreased by nine percent versus intent for the first quarter.
Per survey information, 16 percent of all employers expressed the intention to hire people between April and June, but 12 percent predict they will reduce staff. This results in a net positive outlook of four percent. This outlook is marginally better than that of the same period of a year ago, when the net outlook represented three percent.
Manpower Alberta Region CEO Randy Upright remains optimistic, saying that in spite of the modest net amount of hiring, there is stability in the number of companies that anticipate adding people to their payrolls.
Upright also noted that hiring is historically slower during the second quarter. Many of the drivers of key commodity segments are less active during this time period.
Of the ten business sectors surveyed in Western Canada, employers in the mining and education areas displayed the highest propensity to hire, with net outlooks of 15 percent for both. Next in line was the construction segment, showing a 10-percent net outlook.
Results from the questionnaire involving 1,900 companies throughout Canada indicate that workers are contending with a modest hiring arena with a seven-percent net outlook. As with Edmonton, employers across the country are a bit less positive than they were during the first quarter, but more encouraged than they were a year ago, by a total of six percent.
Edmonton Listings Report
- March 1, 2010
Goldring’s Incendiary Comments About Riel Unearth Age-Old Dissent
More than 125 years after he was executed on charges of high treason, Metis leader Louis Riel is still stirring up controversy in the government’s Conservative faction. Last December, a questionable newsletter was sent to constituents by Peter Goldring, who is Edmonton East’s Conservative MP. In the letter, Goldring castigated Riel as a political incendiary and killer.
The newsletter’s content may have been prompted by a bill from Pat Martin, Winnipeg NDP MP, who initiated a campaign to pardon Riel, albeit posthumously. Goldring claims there is a movement afoot to sanitize Riel’s exploits, comparing it to efforts in contemporary Japan to remove the country’s World War II atrocities from schoolbooks.
Although Goldring sent his newsletter last December, retorts have not been forthcoming until recently. Metis leadership in Manitoba and Alberta has denounced Goldring. Shelley Glover, Manitoba’s Conservative MP also joined in the fray. Glover is Metis. A statement was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, disavowing connection to the newsletter. Some in the media have branded Goldring a racist, and the Metis Nation of Alberta is seeking disciplinary steps against him.
Gerhard Ens, a Western Canadian history professor at the University of Alberta, was critical of what he described as a manifesto from Goldring. However, he also said the newsletter is illustrative of an ongoing chasm in Canadian beliefs. Ens said that factions continue to exist: One wants Riel to be exonerated, and the other continues to vilify him.
Riel is remembered for his leadership of the Prairie Metis, with Big Bear and Poundmaker, in the ill-fated Northwest Rebellion.
Edmonton Listings Report
- February 6, 2010
Poll: Albertans Support Stronger Building Code to Increase Energy Efficiency
Alberta residents have a deep interest in being energy-efficient, and strongly support updates to the province’s building code. According to results of a survey commissioned by NAIMA Canada, the Pembina Institute and the Consumers Council of Canada, 96 percent of those polled indicated that conserving energy and achieving efficiency in their dwellings is very important (a 59 percent response), or important (a 37 percent response). Some 87 percent support government implementation of higher standards regarding energy efficiency for new-construction homes.
Jesse Row, who is a Pembina Institute director, said the poll results indicate that Albertans have overwhelming support for increasing home energy conservation and efficiency. He noted that the research findings show that updating the building code would not be a politically risky move.
The poll revealed that 87 percent of those surveyed would agree with the implementation of legislation establishing stronger energy efficiency standards for households. The average EnerGuide rating for new Canadian homes is 76, while the current average for Alberta is 71. Albertans will be able to assess the performance of their politicians during the planned review of the province’s building code, as British Columbia has a rating of 77 and Ontario’s ratings are between 78 and 80.
Don Mercer, president of Consumers Council of Canada, says that consumers expect a heightened level of energy efficiency in new-construction homes. He noted that people are concerned about the impact of high energy prices, and that they are looking for ways to lower their energy bills and improve the environment.
Edmonton Listings Report
- January 28, 2010
Education Minister to Replace Board
A rep from the Northland School Division says that efforts by the Education Minister to disband a local board of trustees will not nearly fix huge, systemic issues in the area's education system.
Although critics are harsh on the board of trustees, local representative of Red Earth Creek School says that former trustees were totally aware of problems and were trying to inform parents to help make the needed changes. She says that the school and the district have unique problems that will not be simply fixed with the change of government.
A probe into the problems has recently appointed one official trustee, Colin Kelly, to replace the division's twenty-three member board. There has been a three person team appointed to investigate why the 2,900 children have such low test scores.
The school cites high rates of turnover among teachers, above-average drop out rates, and absenteeism as major issues plaguing the school's students.
Supporters of the schools say that the data is flaw due to geographical locations of the schools. There are over twenty-three schools in the district, so they say some children are excelling while others have problems with the work.
Also, officials cite students for the lack of attendance, which can only be controlled by the parents and the students themselves. If they chose not to come to school, they will suffer academically.
Edmonton Listings Report
- January 12, 2010
Students Mourn Death of Teacher
The teacher, Sgt. George Miok, was one of four Canadian soldiers and a journalist who were killed on Dec 30 when a landmine destroyed their armored vehicle. Although the officer only worked at the high-school for one year, he immediately took on a leadership role among the students.
Fellow teachers at the school describe him as charismatic and well-loved, with a big, infectious smile. The community was devastated and horrified when the news arrived at the beginning of the year.
It is very hard for children of such a young age to deal with such a drastic tragedy. The school will hold ceremonies commemorating the service Sgt. George Miok volunteered to his country and friends.
Listings In Edmonton Report
Operation Christmas Child Success
St. Albert Fire Investigation Unit and the Leo Nickerson Elementary School are taking part in the national Operation Christmas Child drive together. The two organizations worked together to pack emergency vehicles with thousands of boxes that are filled with presents for needy children in South America.
For many of the children receiving these presents, it will be the first Christmas gifts they have ever received. The boxes of presents are stuffed with such toys as stuffed animals, bracelets, trinkets, candy, and coloring books.
A christian charity called Samaritan’s Purse Canada started the program for donations in 1990. The program began as a collaboration between the Fire Investigation Uni, schools of St. Albert, and the Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church. Almost twenty years later, the program has grown into a widely successful charity that makes it possible for children in developing nations to share in the Christmas spirit.
Almost 6,500 children in South America are expected to receive a shoebox full of presents this year. The presents bring joy to the families and communities also because the children’s excitement is contagious once the presents arrive, says one participant who has traveled on the delivery trip.
The teachers from St. Albert also remind reporters that the program is not only to help the needy children, but it is designed to teach Canadian children compassion for foreign people. The Operation Christmas Child drive gives school children a hands-on ability to help bring hope to those who need it most.
Edmonton Listings Report
Crowd queries city spending
I attended the town hall meeting on Monday night at the Cornerstone Pentecostal Fellowship in Grandin Mall. Although there was a small crowd it turned into a lively meeting. The topic of discussion was around city spending and the city’s new municipal budget. The new budget proposes an increase in residential property taxes and local businesses. The increase is substantial for both business and home owners. Many of the people attending the meeting are concerned with the increases in their taxes and how the city proposes to utilize their tax dollars to improve the city.
Many of the residents, including myself, are concerned about the inadequate and deteriorating snow removal services currently being provided by the city. Others were concerned about the surrounding office levies. The residents of St. Albert are continuing to rise each year but the services offered by the city are not improving. With the economy in a recession the people attending the meeting are requesting that the taxes remain stable rather than being increased, especially given the state in which the services are being provided.
Another topic we discussed during the town hall meeting was the rising development costs of Riel Recreation Park. This park is being touted as a world-class BMX facility but the expectations of the developers of this project are exaggerated. Utility costs are also rising which make me and the other homeowners anxious since the Mayor, Nolan Crouse, is requesting this increase is to pay for future sewer repairs and water supplies. It is anticipated that the city will need to build a water reservoirs by 2020 and these rising utilities will help fund this needed project.
The people of St. Albert are concerned over these rising costs and some can no longer afford to live in the area. Bill Holtby is the City Manager and he is preparing the 2010 budget with many reservations. The proposed budget will have no new spending requests but simply meet the existing needs of the city. The 2010 budget will be made available for improvements in roads and recreational facilities to include projects for Anthony Henday Drive, Riel Recreation Park and Ray Gibbon Drive. There will also be one sewer project for the northeast annexed lands. The remaining budget will go to paying the city employee salaries. Everyone at the meeting is anxious about the projects and the rising taxes needed to complete these projects.
Listings In Edmonton Report
St. Albert’s Toys for Tickets to Benefit Less Fortunate
Those who hand out parking tickets in the city of St. Albert can actually donate a toy to a child in need as a replacement for paying a fine in participation of the city’s Toys for Ticket program that starts in the middle half of November.
They are now accepting new, unwrapped toys as a method of payment for violating parking stipulations according to Chuck Foster, a manager in the municipal support division of St. Albert Police Department. He jokingly said that his hopes are that people will be like kamikazes and decide to park in the wrong places for the purpose of getting tickets and then make their donations. He also said, if people wanted to come out and park illegally, he would have no problem issuing a ticket.
The donated toys will go directly towards the St. Albert’s Fill-a-Bus Campaign, which was design for distributing toys to families that are less fortunate in the city of St. Albert. Foster said that notices concerning the program will accompany ticket sent to motorist who have already violated the by-laws of city parking between the 15th and 30th of November.
A receipt which verifies the cost of the toy will be required for a minimum of $25 during the payment period. All payments will be accepted at the St. Albert RCMP detachment department daily between the hours of 8am to 6:30pm.
This will be the first year for such a program and Foster has concluded that, if there is success in the program it could turn out to be an annual event. The same types of campaigns have been initiated in Boston, Fort St. John and the city of Vancouver which have proven to be successful.
The programs that are in place have been successful and if St. Albert’s Fill-a-Bus Campaign follows in their footsteps it could turn out to be something in which St. Albert Police Department will consider maintaining for years to come. Nevertheless, things have been good and there’s no reason to believe the program will not be conducted annually. One thing that is for certain, it’s being done for a worthy cause and that along is enough to keep the project moving forward. There will be some very happy children on the receiving end of these toys and more than the likely, glowing smiles as well. The smile of a child can go a very long way in the future.
Edmonton Listings Report
Quest Gets $865 Million for Research
In a show of support for the Quest program in Alberta, the provincial and federal governments have contributed a combined $865 million to the project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions created by the province’s energy industry. Alberta’s contribution is $745 million, taken from its $2 billion fund dedicated to carbon capture and storage. Ottawa’s $120 million is coming from funds budgeted towards CO2 study projects throughout Canada.
The funding, set to be paid out over the next 15 years will allow Shell to continue its engineering work on the bitumen up-grader in Scotford. It will also allow the company to do additional research on the area’s geological make-up. Once that study is complete, including the required consultations with experts in the field, construction on the Quest project will proceed.
Quest is a project intending to make the oil and gas industry more environmentally friendly. The intent is to inject up to 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a bi-product of the Scotford bitumen up-grader, into sandstone located 2,200 metres beneath the surface. The location of this carbon dioxide injection is still being studied, but the most likely location will be to the northeast of Fort Saskatchewan. The first injections are expected to take place in 2015, pending the outcome of the study and public hearings.
Listings In Edmonton Report
New Tax Strategy for Tough Economic Times
The downturn in the economy has hit all areas of Alberta, but not equally. About 40 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, the town of Bruderheim has been hit hard. Town leaders hope that by doing away with civic property taxes for three years on business and new home construction, they’ll attract new development.
Town officials had hoped that the economy and area were going to grow over the next few years, but their hopes have been dashed with the recession. Very lucrative prospective oil projects slated for Bruderheim have been halted or eliminated entirely in the last couple of years.
The new tax abatement strategy was passed in June by the Councillors in the hopes of driving new businesses and households to the town. Officials based the tax strategy on a kindred plan being utilized by a town in Saskatchewan.
Even though this new program will save homeowners thousands over three years in municipal taxes, they will still have to pay provincial education taxes.
Edmonton Listings Report
July was another great month for the local real estate market in St. Albert
Last month was another solid one for the St Albert real estate market. Sales were brisk, remained strong, and the average price continued to increase. 101 properties sold in July, a marked increase from both last year (87) and 2007 (57). The local market has been increasing in sales by quite a lot since the beginning of spring.
The feeling is that the market is good for both sides of the sale these days, with both sellers and buyers benefiting from the current conditions. Throughout the course of the year so far 597 real estate listings have exchanged title. Last year this statistic was at 501 during the same amount of time. While the average price has gone down over the last year, there is still a large amount of activity.
Properties that are priced properly are going very fast these days, and some are even attracting multiple offers. It’s not like the boom though, there is still enough coming into the market to stem the demand. The City of St Albert itself had 244 active listings at the end of last month.
