This week's highlightsEquity markets shrug off U.S. uncertainty, unpredictabilityBond markets regain some stability following several volatile weeksCanadian home sales drop in March, along with building activityTariffs restrain U.S. business activity, boost asking prices for productsGlobal economy set for slowdown, IMF...

If passed, Budget 2025 will create a new grant program designed to empower unions to offer additional apprenticeship training in high demand programs. There is $15 million allocated for the program, to be distributed equally over three years. The government says this is the first partnership of its kind between it and ...

Following a recent city council motion to review the disestablishment of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Red Deer and explore new funding models, the Downtown Business Association (DBA) would like to affirm that this marks an opportunity for the area.On April 22, council passed the tax bylaw for the BIA and star...

Red Deer County's Junction 42 is now home to the fastest electric vehicle (EV) charger along Highway 2 in the central Alberta region, according to EQUS, after the unveiling of a new charging station on Apr. 24. Located just south of Red Deer, near Penhold, the installation is meant to transform the EV landscape in cent...

BILD Central Alberta has announced the finalists for the 2025 Central Alberta Awards of Excellence, a celebration of excellence in the local residential construction industry.For this year's awards, categories were expanded and judging criteria shuffled to better showcase the work of BILD Central Alberta members.As a r...

Red Deer's city council has unanimously approved the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw at a 10.35 per cent increase for residential properties. The bylaw also includes provincial requisitions to support education and senior housing, accounting for about 26 per cent of the average residential tax bill. In December, council approved a...

The Edmonton Oilers are inviting fans to take a bus from Red Deer and other municipalities to see games three and four against the Los Angeles Kings, April 25 and 27.The Kings currently lead the Oilers 1-0 in the opening round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Game 2 goes Wednesday in L.A.The fan buses include round t...

The Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Matt Jones, is travelling south to promote Alberta's potential for trade, energy and investment. Jones will travel to Michigan, Ohio and Illinois from Apr. 21-24 to strengthen economic relationships and tout Alberta's competitive advantage. He will meet with U.S. officials and b...

This week's highlightsEquity markets continue to show resiliency despite uncertaintyBond markets regain a more stable footing following several volatile weeksBank of Canada holds rate steady at 2.75% amid trade war uncertaintyU.S. retail sales surge in March due to motor vehicle purchases ahead of tariffsChina's export...

Couples are invited to take part in a workshop later this month that aims to rebuild, reconnect and strengthen relationships. Rewriting the Rules - The Couples Workshop takes place April 25-27 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino. It's put on by Rick Martin and Edna Caouette, experienced relationship counsellors specializ...

Alberta had the highest number of housing starts in the country from January to March this year, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). In Red Deer, there were nine new housing starts of all kinds in the first quarter. Six of these were single-detached homes, while the rest were other forms....

This week's highlightsEquity markets regain some momentum following mid-week tariff "pause"Bond market flashes warning signals as longer-term risks come into focusTrade uncertainty taking toll on Canadian business and consumer confidence, BoC reports sayU.S. inflation cooled to 2.4% in March, lower than expec...

Blackfalds' town council has unanimously approved first reading of the 2025 Property Tax Rate Bylaw, which includes a five per cent tax increase. In Blackfalds, the average home has been assessed at $352,000. Using this example, a tax rate increase of five per cent represents about $136 added to the municipal portion o...

The 2024-25 round of the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program saw triple its typical investment at $9.8 million, and multiple central Alberta projects are set to be recipients of the funding. One of these recipients is the Sustainable Red Deer Society, which is receiving $15,000 to conduct a feasib...

This week's highlightsEquity markets on the backfoot as tariffs shake up global tradeSovereign yields move lower, credit spreads widen amid broad risk-off sentimentCanadian factory PMI hits 15-month low on widening global trade warU.S. hiring defied expectations in March, with 228,000 new jobsEurozone inflation falls c...

Building permit values increased in March for Red Deer, with 82 permits valued at nearly $5 million being issued. In March 2024, there were 86 permits issued at a value of $4 million. Notable permits include: Building permit for construction of an industrial accessory building at 7780 Edgar Industrial Way, valued at $9...

Sunterra Quality Food Markets Inc., an Alberta-based company with multiple arms, including a line of grocery stores, has filed for bankruptcy protection.More precisely, the company filed a notice of intention to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, with Harris & Partners Inc. appointed as the co...

Liquidation sales have officially begun at Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) stores across Canada, including in Red Deer.'Store closing' and 'entire store on sale' signs can be seen in front of the location at Bower Place in Red Deer as of Tuesday.This comes as the company announced in a media release on March 28 that sales b...

As April 1 dawns, Alberta's new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program will come into effect, shifting the onus of recycling single-use products from municipalities to producers. By making producers responsible for the products they create, EPR encourages them to find ways to redesign packaging to reduce waste....

In an effort to strengthen partnerships and advocate for fair trade practices, Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, is taking a delegation of forestry industry leaders to Texas from March 31 to April 3. The government says Texas is Alberta's largest U.S. market for lumber and this trade mission aims to highligh...

The Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) will celebrate its 35th anniversary and recent name change by embarking on a tour of the region.The foundation will visit 10 communities throughout April, with each local event free for the public to attend.The tour:April 8 @ 10:30 a.m. - Rocky Mountain HouseApril 9 @...

The Government of Alberta is endeavouring to make it easier for investors to find the best place for their business by upgrading its Site Selector Tool, a free online service that connects businesses and investors to available locations in the province. Government officials note, choosing the right location can make or...

Alberta's Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, is travelling to Germany in an effort to support market diversification and promote Alberta as a desirable investment destination to strengthen trade partnerships. During this trade mission, the minister will meet with European companies, potential investors an...

Just over a week since Sweet Home on the Lake officially reopened, owners Cody and Eva Borek hope they can earn the trust back of their customers. This comes after the local boutique and cafe business based out of Sylvan Lake, opened their doors on March 18, seven weeks after announcing their permanent closure.They wer...

In response to calls from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) for action, the Government of Alberta is establishing a working group with municipal partners to develop an accountability strategy for unpaid oil and gas property taxes.Earlier this month, the RMA released the resu...

A Government of Canada announcement to develop an Arctic Over-The-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system in partnership with the Australian government is being called a "slap in the face" by a Canadian business that had their sights set on the project. On March 18, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his intention to...

Alberta's Budget 2025 has allocated $10 million that, if passed, would support the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) to help community-owned Indigenous businesses buy or upgrade equipment and infrastructure needed to create jobs and contribute to sustainable and thriving communities. The ABIF program launched ...

This week's highlightsEquity markets snap weeks long losing streakBond yield mixed as Fed holds rates steady, readjusts growth and inflation projectionsCanada's annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February as GST holiday endsU.S. Federal Reserve extends pause on rates, cuts outlook for growthEurozone inflation coole...