Canada’s housing market is slowing down its decline with sales growth in several cities, most notable of which is Calgary,

The Canadian housing market has slowed its decline to 3.1 per cent year over year, with a 0.6 per cent increase in home sales last month, according to BMO Chief Economist Doug Porter, citing recent data from the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Porter notes that since the implementation of new mortgage insurance rules in July 2012, Canadian housing market sales have risen in three out of the four previous months based on seasonal adjustments.

“Most of the other key metrics are also fully in line with a well-tamed market,” said Porter. “Sales to listings stand at just over the 50 per cent line, and the backlog of unsold homes is now at an unremarkable 6.6 months.”

The report notes that the market’s stability is even more evident when considering the steady increase in Canadian housing market prices.

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“Despite concerns, Canadian home prices remain incredibly calm, cool, and collected,” said Porter. “Every major index for home prices is now up between 1.3 per cent and 2.2 per cent from year-ago levels. The MLS Price Index, a measure of repeat sales in seven of the largest cities, is at the top end of that range, while average transactions prices are at the low end.”

Porter points out the narrow and persistent increase in Canadian housing market prices among Canada’s 26 biggest cities as further debunking speculations of a hard landing.

“While some are highlighting the fact that prices are now rising at their slowest pace since the 2009 recession, the plain facts are that they are still rising faster than inflation, and prices are at all-time highs, suggesting concerns of a meltdown were unfounded,” says Porter.

Porter also highlights stabilization in Vancouver’s housing market despite its weakness with a sales decline of six per cent from April last year and average prices keeping steady.

Conditions in Toronto are similar with a five per cent sales decline from last year and a two per cent increase in prices.

Calgary remains relatively strong with a 10 per cent sales increase year over year and price growth of up to four per cent.

“If planning to buy or sell a property, consider working with an expert who can help you make decisions that are appropriate to the health of your local market, and more importantly, that responsibly fit within your particular financial situation,” says BMO Bank of Montreal Mortgage Expert Laura Parsons.

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In the 154-pound title fight, Remy Lavoie (black trunks with white) defeated Shawn McDonald (black with red). Photo: Lev Jackson.

Lavoie, Codilla and Yager triump at WBC Western Championships

Friday night the Cascades Casino in Langley played host to the WBC Western Championships. When the dust settled, three more B.C. pugilist qualified themselves for the first-ever WBC Canadian championships in July.

In the light middleweight (154 pounds) WBC Western Championships, Remy Lavoie from North Burnaby Boxing Club was a long shot as be battled hometown favorite and B.C. champion Shawn “Fatty” McDonald.

Shawm McDonald fans showed up in force to support their fighter Friday night. Photo: Lev Jackson.

The crowd erupted for McDonald’s ring entrance and fans could be seen screaming and holding signs for their Langley fighter.

Going into the bout McDonald had over 20 fights under his belt, while for Lavoie this was just his ninth trip into the squared circle in his very first year of competition.

The moment the bell rang the gap in experience appeared to vanish as Lavoie boxed a crisp, smart fight, working behind his jab and controlling the ring.

Lavoie set the tone the whole fight until late in the third round.

McDonald, clearly behind on the scorecards started to charge at a tiring Lavoie. With the crowd trying to will him to a late knockout victory, McDonald took it to his foe and landed some good leather, but it wasn’t enough.

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The judges’ scores, though disappointing, were no surprise to the fans as Lavoie punched his ticket to the WBC Canadian championships this July.

Remy Lavoie with his father following the fighter’s victory over Shawn McDonald. Photo: Lev Jackson.

“I was training hard for this, I knew it would be a tough fight. He’s a champion, it was a tough fight for sure,” said an ecstatic Lavoie.

“It’s unreal, I couldn’t imagine I would make it this far in a year, fighting for the Canadian title, it’s great.”

In a very spirited super featherweight (130 pounds) WBC Western Championships bout, Francis Codilla and Raj Somal went to toe-to-toe for all three rounds of the fight.

In the first two rounds, it looked as though the match was up for grabs as both fighters did everything they could to get the edge on the other with neither taking a clear advantage.

The two were sparring partners before the fight, so there were few secrets between the two.

During the second round this was apparent when Somal switched from orthodox to southpaw stance. Moments after the adjustment Codilla’s coach Kevin Reynolds howled from the corner “I told you he would switch to southpaw!”

With a WBC Western Championships title shot at stake both men left it in the ring the final round, with Codilla landing sharp straight left hands to close the fight strong and earned a unanimous decision.

Jen Yager (black and yellow) defeated Jillian Sask (black and white). Photo: Lev Jackson.

In the WBC Western Championships women’s lightweight (135-pound) championship fight Jen Yager of Action Boxing Club controlled the bout against Jillian Sask of Port Kells Boxing.

Yager, the most experienced of the women entered in the tournament pressed the fight behind a solid jab that left Sask hesitant to throw.

“The fight was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun to get in there to test and see how my training has progressed over the past couple of months.”

The victory made Yager the first-ever WBC women’s western Canadian champion. The thought of a Canadian title shot in the near future is still surreal to her.

“It’s NUTS! That is just something I’ve not even thought about. It just seems a bit unreal to me, now that its within my reach, it’s extremely exciting and I have to work hard for the next to months. It’s real and it’s an honour to have that opportunity.”

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The locomotive fire occurred the Bearspaw Country Club, near the intersection of Bearspaw Road and Bow Valley Trail. Photo: Google Maps.

Locomotive fire early morning near golf course on Bearspaw Road

A locomotive fire early Saturday morning near Bearspaw Road in N.W. Calgary spread smoke throughout the downtown core and river valley before it was extinguished.

Around 4 a.m. the Calgary Fire Department was called to the 11,000 block of Bearspaw Road N.W. for reports of a locomotive fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a large volume of smoke and a two-metre flame venting from the engine compartment of a locomotive.

Calgary resident Benjamin Kendrick says it was black smoke that reminded him of a house fire or someone burning tires illegally.

“Kinda looked like the smoke from the airport when they do fire drills,” he told Beacon News.

Kendrick says he noticed it as he waited for a bus around 4:30 a.m.

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Fire crews quickly doused the flames, confining the fire to the engine compartment of the locomotive, according to the fire department.

No injuries were reported for the train crew, who were assessed by firefighters.

The locomotive involved was one of two, pulling a westbound train.

Fire officials say they don’t know how long the fire burned before it was recognized, but a large cloud of smoke dramatically affected visibility throughout the downtown core and river valley.

Rail traffic was shut down in both directions for the safety of personnel.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Alberta international strategy will see new offices in India, Brazil and south China

Alison Redford announced an Alberta international strategy that will see the province opening international offices in India, Brazil and China, Photo: Christopher Walsh.

Premier Alison Redford announced an Alberta international strategy Friday that she says will open up world markets for all of Alberta resources, not just energy.

The project will involve the province opening up new international offices in Chicago, Singapore, India, Brazil and California over the next two years. The province will also double its efforts in Beijing and co-locate its Shanghai office with the federal government and establish a new office in southern China.

All of it in an effort to open new markets, attract international investment and offer more support for Alberta-based businesses.

“We’re going to build up Alberta as a force to be reckoned with in the international economy,” Redford said at a press conference at the University of Calgary.

“One of the challenges we face is to not look long-term enough with respect to how to build markets. Markets do not get built over night. I think it’s exactly the sensible thing to do.”

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The provincial government has focused on building new markets for Alberta’s energy resources, but Redford said it is crucial to look for new markets for all of Alberta’s resources, including agriculture, forestry and tourism.

“Building new markets is job one for our government,” Redford said. “This is about creating opportunities for our businesses and entrepreneurs so we can keep growing our economy.”

Alberta taking a leadership role in international markets is good for the province, said International and Intergovernmental Relations Minister Cal Dallas.

“Alberta must demonstrate leadership to the world, particularly on responsible energy development,” he said. “But we must also highlight our energy initiatives with a broader set of Alberta strengths including those in agriculture, forestry, education, tourism, culture and education.”

Other highlights of the Alberta international strategy include the creation of an Alberta International Development Office to help share the province’s expertise with developing countries, a greater focus on advocacy efforts around agriculture, energy, forestry, education and innovation and the creation of a small and medium sized enterprise export council to improve communications between government and other stakeholders.

Enhancing market access will be key, Dallas said. While Alberta exports totalled $95 billion last year, Dallas said, 86 per cent went to the United States.

“Investing in opportunities that will pay dividends for the future of Alberta is the right and responsible action to take,” he said.

Dallas said the new costs of the program will be covered by a redistribution of the $10.5 million price tag for operating the province’s international office network. The new Alberta international strategy is expected to cost an extra $1.3 million this budget year.

The province expects to open up four of the new international offices this year and another two offices in 2014.

Calgary fire ban was lifted by the CFD this afternoon.

Today, the Calgary Fire Department announced that the Calgary fire ban that had been imposed last weekend has been lifted, just in time for the May long weekend.

The lift in the fire ban came into effect at 4 p.m., on Friday.  The fire ban was implemented after a period of low humidity and dry warm winds.

“The recent moisture and lower temperatures have culminated in the decision to lift the ban,” said acting Fire Chief Tom Sampson. “We want to thank Calgarians for their adherence to the ban over the past week.”

This means that restrictions have been removed for the use of back yard fire pits, as long as they are compliant with the city bylaws, camp stoves, solid fuel barbecues (charcoal briquettes), chimeneas and recreational campfires in city parks within provided pits or stoves.

Even thought the Calgary fire ban has been lifted, a fire advisory remains in place.  CFD officials also remind Calgarians to be respectful when travelling out of town concerning fire bans in other jurisdictions.

“It is important to acknowledge that there are still active wildfires in the province,” said the acting Fire Chief. “We need to be respectful of other jurisdictions outside of Calgary and be vigilant when visiting those areas.”

With grass fires still a major risk this time of year, Calgarians are encouraged to remain cautious and properly discard of their smoking materials.

Calgarians are reminded that open burning, incinerators and burning barrels are not permitted at any time within Calgary city limits.  Permits are still required for the use of fireworks, ground thawing and for any event performances using open flame.

To report a fire, call 911 immediately and move to a safe location. For any non-emergency fire safety information, please call 311. Fire Prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

For information on fire bans outside Calgary and more information on fire bans visit the Alberta Fire Bans  website.

Long weekend traffic enforcement officers hit the highways on Thursday.

Long weekend travellers are warned that Alberta Integrated Traffic Units will be hitting the highway this long weekend, looking for awful and unlawful drivers, in an effort to keep Alberta highways safe the Victoria Day long weekend.

QEII Integrated Traffic Units officers from Airdrie, Innisfail, Ponoka and Leduc were out in force yesterday, cracking down on speeders, distracted drivers and even catching on impaired driver.  As many as 40 officers were monitoring the long weekend traffic on Highway 2 from Calgary to Edmonton.

As a result of their efforts, 273 drivers were given speeding tickets, including four drivers who were clocked traveling at 150 Km/hr on Highway 2 in heavy traffic.  Officers handed out 24 seatbelt charges, 35 distracted driver tickets and 91 other traffic safety act infraction tickets.  Police pulled over one impaired driver who is now facing a criminal charge.

Cpl. Darrin Turnbull of the RCMP says “these driving infractions are the most frequent contributing causal factors to fatality and serious injury collisions throughout the province”.

“Enforcement during Holiday long weekends is a priority for the Integrated Traffic Units. Tragically, fatal and serious injury collisions tend to occur more frequently during holiday long weekends. Our officers will be paying particular attention to intercepting aggressive speeding drivers, distracted drivers, drivers not wearing seatbelts, consuming alcohol, or failing to obey traffic control devices at rural intersections” says Staff Sgt. Brian Quist.

Quist adds “We will be working hard all weekend, trying to ensure that everyone reaches their intended destination safely.”

Recently, fake polymer $100 bills have been found in the Lower Mainland of BC.  Photo courtesy The Bank of Canada.

BC RCMP are warning the public to remain vigilant and check the authenticity of $100 bills, even the new polymer versions, after a number of fake polymer $100 bills have been found in the Lower Mainland.

There are a number of security features on the new $100 bills.  Police are reminding the public to protect themselves from fraud by checking those security features 0r compare suspicious notes to a genuine note.

All Canadian polymer bills in any denomination have the following features:

Image courtesy the Bank of Canada

“Protecting the economic integrity of Canada is one of the five National strategic priorities for the RCMP”, says Sgt Duncan Pound, RCMP Federal Media Relations Officer for British Columbia. He adds “Crime Prevention is a cornerstone of the RCMP’s overarching approach to law enforcement, and working with the Bank of Canada to help educate the public about the security of Canadian bank notes is vitally important to us”.

Anyone with information about counterfeiting is asked to contact the Federal RCMP at 778-290-4510, or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.bccrimestoppers.com

Training materials on counterfeit detection are available by calling the Bank of Canada’s toll-free number at 1 888 513-8212. They can also be accessed or ordered from their website

Sgt. Pounds says the RCMP would like to remind the public to check two or more security features on all bills they receive.

Pound adds “If you come across a bill you believe to be counterfeit, please contact your local police”.

Three people are now facing first degree murder charges in the death of Winston Crier.

Hobbema RCMP have arrested two more people in connection with the murder of 51-year old Winston Crier of the Samson Cree Nation.

Last week, police charged 26-year old Clifford Soosay of Hobbema with first degree murder.  Hobbema RCMP report the victim and the accused were acquaintances.

On Wednesday and Thursday, police arrested the other two suspects.  Nikki Saddleback, 25 and 27-year old Troy Crier, both of Hobbema have also been charged with first degree murder.

“These suspects are in custody because of the citizens of the Hobbema community,” said Inspector Charles Wood, Officer-in-Charge of Hobbema RCMP, “Without their involvement, support and information, we wouldn’t have been able to make these arrests so quickly. The community of Hobbema won’t stand for this kind of criminal violence and their cooperation with the RCMP reflects that.”

Insp. Wood adds over 30 RCMP officers worked on the investigation into the death of Winston Crier.  Members from the Wetaskiwin/Hobbema GIS and Hobbema Community Response Unit assisted in the investigation as well as Forensic ID Section, Police Dog Services and Special Tactical Operations Team.

Clifford Soosay will appear in Wetaskiwin court on May 28 while Saddleback and Crier will appear in Wetaskwin court on May 21.

Insp. Wood says the murder of Winston Crier is not thought to be gang related.

Body recovered from Glenmore Reservoir after being spotted near Glenmore Tr SW bridge.

Calgary Fire Department members of the Aquatics Rescue team pulled a body from the Glenmore Reservoir on Friday, just before noon.

The CFD water rescue crews were called in to assist the Calgary Police Service.

The body was reported to police and was seen in the water near the bridge at Glenmore Tr SW.

Aquatics Rescue Team members used their boat to find the body.  The body recovered from Glenmore Reservoir was then transferred to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Calgary Police are investigating the incident.  It is not known how the body ended up in the reservoir.

The oil and gas industry is having trouble attracting youth, according to a survey from Hays Oil and Gas. Photo: London Commodity Markets/
Terence Wright.

The oil and gas industry in Canada is failing to attract youth, according to a 2013 survey from Hays Oil and Gas.

According to survey results, only 18 per cent of Canadians in the oil and gas sector were under 35 years old.

In other countries, that age group makes up 33 per cent of the labour force.

“The Canadian oil and gas industry is watching its talent supply dry up,” said Jim Fearon, Regional Director, Hays Canada.

“A high volume of oil and gas employees are approaching retirement and without attracting a younger work force and addressing skills shortages this sector is facing major challenges to meet its growth potential. Having a robust strategy in place to tap into the global talent pool will be critical in the short term, and working on strategies to increase the level of home grown entrants into the industry is going to be vital in the medium to long term.”

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According to Fearon, this shortage will impact all companies and job types, including contractors, operators, oil field services, project managers, drilling engineers and estimators.

Canada’s youth are flocking to other industries despite the fat pay cheque that comes with the job.

Canadian oil and gas professionals are the fifth highest paid in the world, according to the survey.

The average annual salary for a domestically employed oil and gas professional in Canada is $125,680, which outstrips the $124,000 that energy industry employees in the U.S. make.