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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NDP leader Thomas Mulcair. Photo: handout.

It’s a holiday weekend — and that means last week was a week for MPs to be in their constituencies.

For the Toronto NDP caucus, it was also a week to host their leader, Thomas Mulcair — and to sharpen the NDP’s focus on urban affairs.

Over 80 per cent of Canadians live in the country’s large cities. But you’d never know that, looking at the issues that animate Ottawa.

The New Democrats are determined to change that — indeed, in power, to invert the situation.

Or, to put it another way, to see energy issues through an urban affairs prism, to see foreign affairs, immigration and other external issues through that same lens, to see the economy through the eyes of where our people live, to see environmental sustainability through the focus of how we live.

The week saw a number of events held around Toronto by the party’s eight MPs from the city, various other MPs, and the party’s leader, Thomas Mulcair.

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Wednesday, for instance, saw a focus placed on urban transportation. Tuesday saw a focus on redevelopment of industrial land. The intersection of housing, environment and air travel was Monday — and food security issues on Thursday. Health and long term care issues also made the week’s events.

Over the course of the week, which included community meetings, public panel discussions, press events, and many private meetings, some of the threads that make up the NDP caucus’s thinking on urban issues started to tie together.

Thomas Mulcair, for instance, was asked about the proposal to convert Line 9 — an already existing pipeline across Ontario — to carry bitumen from the oil sands to refineries in Eastern Canada.

Line 9 route. Photo: Enbridge.

The “Stop Line 9″ movement has often found support amongst NDP circles in the area. Yet Mulcair is also on the record as being in favour of a west-to-east pipeline to help Canada’s energy security.

How can you be in favour of Eastern Canadians getting access to, buying (at world price, not the discount the oil sands currently gets selling to the Americans), and creating refinery jobs in Canada, and yet be against the Line 9 proposal?

Line 9, says Thomas Mulcair, is a forty year old pipeline and was designed to flow light crudes from the Port of Montréal westward to Sarnia, Ontario. The proposal for converting Line 9 would see the flow reversed and the stock convert to diluted bitumen. This plan, says Mulcair, does not include the upgrading of the pipeline for safety — especially considering the major break in the Enbridge pipeline in Michigan (which would feed Line 9) that created a diluted bitumen spill in 2010. That pipe is of similar age.

Since Line 9 traverses great sections of the Green Belt, which is the country’s premier farmland feeding the country’s largest concentration of population, sources their water, and travels through built-up areas, it’s important that strong safety measures be adopted — at which point a new pipeline routed around the region would be competitive with upgrading this existing one. So: “no” to using Line 9 as is, and “yes” to replacing imported oil in Ontario, Québec, and the Maritimes with Canadian oil refined in Canada, coming east in state-of-the-art pipelines.

Much of the week was about building on work done at the riding level that has raised traditional party issues like the environment up to a more systematic level. Less automatic “green backing”, and more integration across multiple domains.

There was nothing said, for instance, about keeping large plants in place and attracting new work at that scale, but quite a bit about how very small business, rooted in communities, could be encouraged. That doesn’t mean the NDP is moving away from its roots, but it’s clear that the party’s MPs know where job creation and growth in the economy is — and isn’t — happening.

For those who like their politics to be decisive — the leader thumping the table and saying “do this! get it done!” — the task of integrating different domains of expertise and departments while working with multiple levels of government and interest groups looks at first like a lot of consultation and not much action.

If your goal is to be systematic, and integrate the economy, the environment, society and other issues into one long-term sustained (and sustainable) process of transformation, though, the process of building adhesion among and between all these different interests and factors takes time. Or, as Mulcair said on Tuesday, “you can’t do sustainable development top down”.

At the same time, there’s a relentless focus on letting a “yes” be a true yes, with implications, costs, trade-offs, and negotiation to a path forward, and a “no” be a true no, with reasons given for why a path is being taken off the table, and avoidance of the mushy middle of saying the right things and then not following through.

To stand up for sustainable public transit, for instance, is to also say “the car no longer is the be-all and end-all of our streets — they will be shared because they have to be with the number of people already here”. The process of getting to systemic solutions and agreement also means that some others will hear a resounding “no” to their point of view.

Mulcair’s NDP thinks the federal government hasn’t cared about where Canadians live — in the cities — because it’s never been a priority up to now. Putting urban affairs at the core, on the other hand, is their view on how life for Canadians becomes more secure economically, socially, and environmentally.

It’s a definite view, at a time when their opponents are wallowing without an apparent agenda, or travelling in clichés. It’s also a clear sign of where Mulcair sees his party looking for new wins when next we vote.

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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.

Rhianne Larocque identified as woman abducted near Rexall Place Thursday morning.

The Edmonton Police Service has identified 29-year old Rhianne Larocque as the woman believed to have been abducted near Rexall Place on Thursday afternoon.

Scott Pattison of the Edmonton Police Service says police believe Rhianne Larocque was assaulted and forcibly taken from the area of 75 St and 120 Ave.  The incident occurred on Thursday, just before 10 a.m.

Her car was also taken during the incident.  Rhianne Larocque owns a 2013 grey Dodge Dart that has a damaged rear passenger side bumper.  The car has an Alberta licence plate HAH 030.  A second vehicle, a blue Ford Escape SUV, was seen in the area at the time of the attack and abduction.

Rhianne Larocque is described as a Caucasian woman, 29-years old with shoulder length brown hair with red and blonde streaks.  She is 5’4″ tall with a thin build.  She was wearing black shorts and a grey coat.

Three other people were seen while the abduction occurred.  One is a man in his late 20′s, approximately 5’6″ tall with an average build.  Two other men were seen, but no descriptions of the suspects are available.

Pattison says “These individuals should not be approached, as they are considered to be armed and dangerous”.

Anyone with information about this incident or the whereabouts of the individuals involved is asked to call the EPS non-emergency complaint line at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.  Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

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.”

Fatal Onoway crash on Highway 43 claims lives of two people.

RCMP are releasing more information concerning the two vehicle collision that claimed the lives of two people near Onoway on Friday morning.

Sgt. Josee Valiquette of the RCMP says the collision involving a garbage truck and another vehicle occurred at the intersection of Highway 43 and Township Road 545.  Police believe the garbage truck was heading east, crossing Highway 43 when it was struck by a northbound vehicle.

The two occupants of the northbound vehicle were killed in the collision.  Witnesses attempted to revive the victims, but the two were pronounced deceased at the scene.  ”Police would like to thank them for their courage during this”, says Valiquette.

At this time, police believe driver error and the use of recreational marijuana may be factors in the Onoway crash.

The identities of the victims will not be released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.

An RCMP Traffic Analyst attended the scene and will be contributing to the investigation.

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”.