Eight times a year, the Bank of Canada announces any changes to its trend-setting overnight interest rate. To no one's surprise, the Bank announced on Wednesday that the rate will remain unchanged at 1.0%. But a new phrase dropped in its news release is catching some attention. Accompanying the decision on rates is a small text that explains the Bank of Canada's view of the economy and the amount of monetary stimilus currently in place. Over the past few years, the Bank has maintained an upward ... Full Article...

It?s not just beef, bitumen and buildings in Alberta?the forestry sector is the lifeblood of several communities in the northern and western regions of our province. And after rumours of its death proved to be greatly exaggerated, the forestry sector in Alberta has come roaring back.  In the fourth quarter of last year, shipments of lumber, panelboard and pulp and paper in Alberta totalled some $602 million. That?s an increase of 24 per cent from the same three-month period a year earlier. It?s ... Full Article...

Some of the most recent economic indicators are suggesting that Alberta?s economy is moderating a bit. But if that slower pace of growth is real, someone forgot to inform restaurant and bar-goers in theprovince. At the end of the year, total spending hit a record high.  In December, the value of all receipts at restaurants, bars and other eating establishments hit $667 million?an increase of 1.2 per cent over the previous month and a new record high for the province. This figure is adjusted for ... Full Article...