Todd & Danielle Millar

Some things you probably never knew about Edmonton, Alberta:

• The name "Edmonton" is a Latinized version of a Saxon word meaning "Happy Hamlet,” and was used to honour the home of HBC governor James Winter Lake who was from Edmonton, England.
  
  

• The city's population stands at 782,439 people as of April 2009; while Edmonton’s metropolitan population is more than a million people.
  
  

• Edmonton is the gateway to a land of majestic mountains, pristine lakes, historic rivers and northern adventures and northern industries of oil, gas, lumber and mining. Edmonton is located on the TransCanada Yellowhead Highway, a route that offers the easiest and most scenic drive across western Canada.
  
  
• The city of Edmonton began as a North West Company fur trading post in 1795.
  
  
• During the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 prospectors and adventures travelled by rail to Edmonton and then began the long overland journey to the Yukon. Edmonton became the last supply centre on route.
  
  
• Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city. The Legislature is an iconic building of grand architecture where people flock to wade in or skate on the outdoor ponds.
  
  
• Edmonton’s Waste Management Centre of Excellence has one of the world’s highest standards in recycling, composting and minimizing landfill. The Clover Bar facility diverts 60per cent of its solid waste, the highest diversion rate across Canada.
  
  
• Edmonton won the 2009 Corporate Knights Sustainable Cities Ranking for the large city category.
  
  There's more at the EEDC

With the holidays around the corner ( I know I am pushing it!) there is never a better time to give back. Coming out of an recession is hard on everyone's pocket books and sometimes it is most obvious during the holidays.

There are so many great charities to take part in. I have been invited via Facebook to Wrap Harder which sounds like a lot of fun.

Another one via the news Stuff a bus - the Edmonton Food Bank hopes to raise 240,000 kg of food. That's right about $90,000 or a bus full of food!

A great idea. I hope to do all I can here. Canadian Feed The Children Best Gift Ever is a great program where you can donate in someones name.

The gifts range from about $15 dental care for a child in a developing country to a $2000 new school. There are all price ranges in between. My husband and I are doing this for each other.

Lots of good quick reads in your mid month update. Take a few moments to reflect on how businesses are using this downturn to set up labour contracts and align future projects.

This is very similar to 2002 and around the Kyoto Accord time when the market was full of fear and FULL of deals. Although I think we're a ways off from a full recovery, you can clearly see the strength and backbone to Alberta's economy.

Managing your current investments and and adding new ones at this time, will have you smiling in 2012 onwards as the economy begins to shine again.

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Canada's Tar Sands Are The Future Of Oil Production: Total

By Michel Viatteau (AFP) – 11.13.09, MONTREAL

"The era of oil gushing from ground wells is over and can only be replaced by costly and complex refining of deposits such as Canada's oil sands to satisfy rising global energy needs, said a senior oil executive. Pressed about the high cost of oil sands extraction and attacks by environmentalists worried about its contribution to global warming, Jean-Michel Gires, president of French-based Total's Canadian subsidiary, told AFP he is optimistic specifically about the future of Canada's oil sands development." GRAB THIS STORY

Keyera to Spend $58M in Edmonton Area

Edmonton Journal, 13th November 2009

"EDMONTON - Imperial Oil’s $8 billion Kearl oilsands project has generated a long-term deal with Keyera Facilities Income Fund to provide diluent transportation, storage and loading services in the Edmonton area." READ MORE HERE

Suncor Budgets $5.5 Billion for 2010

International Business Times, November 13th 2009

"Suncor Energy Inc, Canada's biggest oil company, said on Friday it is budgeting C$5.5 billion ($5.23 billion) for capital spending in 2010 and will restart construction on its Firebag Stage 3 oil sands project. Suncor, which dominates Canada's oil sands region following its C$22.7 billion acquisition of Petro-Canada in August, will use C$1.5 billion for growth project funding at its oil sands operations and C$4 billion in sustaining existing operations." FULL ARTICLE

As you can see from the articles selected in your mid-month update, the big plans for Edmonton and Alberta continue. Many will wait until they see the economy in full recovery while the smart money continues to pick up the deals now.

"I shall make the most of all that comes: And the least of all that goes." - Sara Teasdale

I appreciate all your calls and emails. I'm looking forward to helping you put together your next deal.

Thank you,

Todd and Danielle Millar-

To get our free bi-weekly newsletter with great information on the Alberta real estate market, Alberta economy and Canadian real estate investor tips Click Here

"Meanwhile, according to ATB Financial economist Dan Sumner, the average Albertan spent more per capita on retail items since 2004 than people from any other province, yet in 2008 the average Albertan saved 13.7 per cent of disposable income, compared to a national average of 3.8 per cent. The reason for this discrepancy is that Albertans have had greater disposable income than people in other provinces, with high incomes and lower taxes. That will attract young people from Central Canada."

You can expect population growth in Alberta to continue at a steady pace. The article goes on to state that real estate is not where people will be investing in the futue.

I know that with a statement like the one above and all people generally needing a place to live - real estate will be the way to go for me. I invest in other things sure but as far as being able to control my own investments I want tangible real estate.