Calgary Transit is conducting a customer survey (Feb. 16 – March 8, 2026) as part of a formal review of the CTrain Free Fare Zone along 7 Avenue, between Downtown West/Kerby and City Hall/Bow Valley College stations. The Free Fare Zone has been in place since 1981. With significant population growth, shifting travel patterns and evolving downtown destinations, the City is reassessing its value and long-term role within the transit network. Key considerations include: - User b

Alberta’s 2026-27 budget confirms higher provincial education property taxes and a series of fee adjustments that will affect commercial property owners and businesses across the province. Non-residential ratepayers will see a 4.25% increase in the provincial education property tax levy. Non-residential education property tax rising to $4.17 per $1,000 of assessed value (up from $4.00 in 2025 and $3.76 in 2024). Residential rate increasing to $2.84 per $1,000 of assessed valu

Calgary Co-op has introduced a new mixed-use grocery location, signalling an evolution in how essential retail is being embedded within higher-density development. Unlike traditional suburban formats characterized by larger standalone buildings and surface parking, this concept is integrated within a residential development and oriented toward walkable access. The approach reflects broader intensification trends across Calgary, where retail is increasingly positioned within..

Recovery efforts in Jasper are progressing, and by the end of 2027 the majority of the Municipality of Jasper’s approximately 370 businesses, hotels and residences lost in the wildfire are expected to be rebuilt. Full community restoration is projected within five years.   A key driver behind this progress is the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC), a partnership between the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada. The JRCC is overseeing the long-term rebuild strategy

After more than 25 years telling Calgary’s business stories, David Parker is stepping into retirement — and our industry owes him a sincere thank you.   David was more than a columnist. He was a connector within Calgary’s development and commercial real estate community. He showed up to announcements, openings, groundbreakings and industry events not simply to report, but to understand the people behind the projects. He built genuine relationships with developers, brokers, in

Calgary is seeing record levels of new home construction while market conditions begin to moderate. Recent reporting highlights elevated housing starts and strong construction activity across the region, even as sales activity cools and inventory levels rise. The combination signals a market transitioning from peak demand toward greater balance. Sustained residential construction supports employment, trade activity and population growth — all of which influence retail demand,

Edmonton was the first Canadian city to introduce a derelict residential tax, applying a significantly higher property tax rate to abandoned or severely neglected homes to push owners toward redevelopment or remediation. Now, the city is examining whether similar tools could apply to commercial properties that have sat vacant, deteriorated, or unused for extended periods. City administration has been directed to explore how derelict commercial buildings could be defined, regu

Deloitte’s Future of Real Estate in Canada  report suggests a cautious but improving outlook for 2026, with capital slowly returning to the market and leasing decisions becoming more deliberate. Economists are forecasting stronger residential investment growth and a modest rebound in non-residential investment as borrowing conditions improve. At the same time, performance across asset classes remains uneven. Industrial, multi-family, and data-centre properties continue to lea

A European-backed data centre proposal could represent up to $12.8 billion in investment across Alberta, positioning the province as a major hub for AI-capable computing infrastructure. The project, led by Data District (Alcral AG) in partnership with Technologies New Energy PLC, begins with a €780 million first phase in Olds, north of Calgary, with long-term plans targeting 1 gigawatt of capacity across multiple facilities. Key drivers behind Alberta’s selection include: Abu

PwC Canada highlights a major shift underway among private companies: demographic pressures, founder retirement timelines and evolving generational expectations are accelerating the need for structured succession planning. For many founders, succession has moved from a distant objective to an urgent strategic priority.   Many founder-led companies still do not have documented succession plans in place, leaving them vulnerable during periods of volatility. At the same time, yo

Qualico Communities has launched pre-sales for Vantage Rise, a 160-acre master-planned development in southwest Airdrie that will introduce more than 1,200 homes and a significant new commercial node: Vantage Commons.   Vantage Commons will span 12.25 acres and is designed as a pedestrian-oriented Main Street, integrating shops, services and neighbourhood-scale amenities directly into the residential fabric. This commercial hub positions Vantage Rise as one of Airdrie’s most

Bosa Properties is advancing a major change in use at 888 West Broadway, reshaping the Vancouver project through several iterations to align with shifting market conditions. Originally envisioned as a two-tower, 10-storey hotel and 10-storey office development, the project was later revised to a dual-tower hotel concept. Bosa has now submitted a new proposal: a 15-storey Hilton Curio–branded lifestyle hotel paired with an 11-storey rental tower, with 20% of units offered at b

A new TD Economics report highlights a growing national challenge, while Ontario has experienced the greatest number of catastrophic weather events since 1983, Alberta has endured the largest share of insured losses.   Ontario accounted for about 36% of catastrophic events between 1983 and 2024, followed closely by Alberta at 32%. But Alberta’s impact is far deeper. The province represents 42% of all insured catastrophic losses in Canada over the same period — more than Ontar

This new application represents a significant shift from the previously approved 28-storey tower with 258 purpose-built rental homes. Under the revised proposal: 58 moderate-income rental units will be retained, consistent with the prior approval. The 200 market rental units will be replaced with 200 “temporary accommodation for medical care” units, supporting patients and families travelling to Vancouver for specialized health services.   Jameson Development Corp. and the Fi

Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, founder of Zara and controlling shareholder of Inditex, continues to expand his Canadian real estate footprint through his investment firm, Pontegadea. Over the past decade, Ortega has steadily acquired a collection of high-quality office and industrial assets across major Canadian markets.   His Canadian purchases include: • 150 Bloor St. West, Toronto (2014) — Acquired for $255 million • Royal Bank Plaza, Toronto (2022) — Landmark office

The latest CFIB Business Barometer shows long-term small business confidence rising to 55.5, supported by holiday-season expectations — though still just below the historical average.   Short-term sentiment remains soft, and cost pressures continue to shape decision-making: 56% of firms cite insufficient demand as a key constraint. 72% report taxes and regulatory burden as major challenges. Price-increase expectations eased to 2.5%, with wage expectations steady at 2.2%.   Fo

A landmark Canadian sale process is now underway for the Conservatory Group’s 61-property Ontario portfolio, encompassing residential, commercial, industrial, and development land across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding municipalities. The disposition represents one of the largest Canadian multi-asset offerings in decades.   For Calgary and Western Canada, the sale may present opportunities for Alberta investors seeking to diversify into long-term redevelopment and mi