Alberta News Roundup, Sept 9-08

Here’s a roundup of the news over the last couple weeks. I’ve been busy with a couple other projects, but there’ll be more coming in the near future.

Edmonton

• The Edmonton owners of two rental apartment buildings could face the highest fine ever imposed in the province for violating the Public Health Act.
• A new recreation centre in north-central Edmonton moved another step closer Monday
• Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be making a big mistake if he takes Edmonton for granted during this election campaign, his rivals warned
• Edmonton and the surrounding communities are a single metropolis

Red Deer

• Red Deer secondary suite report to be studied

Calgary

• 34% of Calgary employers look to expand staff
• U of C veterinary college welcomes inaugural class
• The total value of Calgary building permits rose slightly in July
• First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. was sold to Italian energy giant Eni in a deal worth $933 million
• A 224-unit affordable housing tower in Calgary could be underway next spring

Alberta

• Coal isn’t going away as an energy source despite the current focus of consumers and governments on the climate change
• High costs squeeze oil sands
• All three parties have plans for a cash grab from energy giants Alberta and Saskatchewan
• Alberta to study water rights
• Alberta oil, gas land sales double

Canada

• Canada’s oilpatch leaders say they’re worried their sector could end up as a “political football” in the federal election race
• A solid majority government after the Oct. 14 federal election would be the best result for Canada’s international standing in the business world, said Conservative Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach
• Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have a long way to go to win a majority in the coming federal election