If you’ve traveled on an Alberta highway lately, you probably didn’t think much about the actual road you were on. Details like when it was built, by whom, who maintains it and how, and the costs associated with all of the above are unlikely to have entered your mind. Most of us take the provincial highways and infrastructure we travel on for granted; they are a given part of life, always there, ready and waiting for use.     We all know of course that Alberta’s $70 billion provincial highway network – spanning approximately 31,400 kilometres, including 28,000 kilometres pa ..read more

Four decades ago, when clunky, Jurassic computers roamed the earth, the Internet was just barely invented and 20 years before Steve Jobs created the iPhone, the computer catchphrase “garbage in/garbage out” (GIGO) was a warning that poor quality input produces faulty output.  Fast forward more than 40 warp-speed years, GIGO still exists, and sophisticated technology continues to transform life, health and business.   No more cynical catchphrases but, with all its breathtaking potential, today’s technology does have a new urgent business warning: A shortage of trained, skilled an ..read more

Calgary’s real estate, sales-to-listing ratios, benchmark prices and consumer trends have calmed down and stabilized from the last few “hot market” years. And despite jittery consumer confidence aggravated by the economy, inflation, high mortgage rates and boosted by inter-provincial and global migration, Calgary’s resale, new build and rental markets are still positive.   While other comparable major Canadian areas like Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg and Ottawa have experienced degrees of a cooling-off slowdown, Calgary’s real estate market has actually bumped-up a bit.   Al ..read more

In Alberta’s largest city, Calgary’s urban life is juxtaposed against vast wilderness. Whether located on the paved streets of downtown or on the snow-covered slopes of a majestic peak, however, local businesses must deal with the same ever-present risk of third-party liability.     Third-party liability refers to the legal obligation of a business to compensate for injuries or damages incurred by customers, clients or other third parties due to the company’s actions or negligence.    But just because a business seems safe on the surface, as compared to, say, a ski res ..read more

Continued tightness in Canada’s industrial market over recent years has propelled Calgary into the warehousing and distribution spotlight.  Direct access to key inland port hubs, expanded CN and CP intermodal facilities, improved air freight capabilities, and favorable land and leasing costs have attracted many of the world’s largest companies to the city.  Industrial real estate experts note many of these companies are strategically planting roots in one of Calgary’s many industrial parks, capitalizing on shared infrastructure, convenient amenities and proximity to vital transportat ..read more

Attendees to yet another COP28 gathering of ‘the rich, the famous and the confused’ under the guise of saving the world from alleged manmade global warming, met in oil–rich Dubai to talk about a ‘phase out’ or ‘phase down’ of hydrocarbon energy. When government representatives were asked why they supported committing economic suicide to ‘save the climate’ while other countries ‘keep building coal fired power plants,’ they had no answers. These same people loudly pressed their hands together when UN Chief Guterres demanded an end to fossil fuels. Some speakers admitted there will be no ‘phase o ..read more

I love trees – we all love trees. There are people who believe they can communicate with trees, people who believe trees can feel pain. Certainly, a large tree can exude a pleasing feeling of strength and majesty and maturity and splendour.  Hate to see them cut down – for any reason.  Yet council members are once again delving into areas where they don’t belong. People buy a lot, build a house, landscape it with bushes and trees that they care for. But, if there is a need to chop one down, they shouldn’t have to get a city permit to axe it.  In my former garden, at great e ..read more

It’s tempting to chalk business success up to being in the right place at the right time. To hold the notion that a little (or a lot of) luck can make all the difference. Though luck is undoubtedly always involved to some degree, great success befalls to the business that has positioned itself and is nimble enough to take advantage of luck’s opportunities. Put another way: everyone experiences a bit of luck, it’s what you do with it that matters.     For E3 Lithium, it’s that perfect combination of entrepreneurial vision, focused perseverance, attention to opportunity and –  ..read more

In the dynamic realm of the oil and gas industry, the provision of cutting-edge, forward-thinking and meticulously-crafted oilfield services stands as an indispensable cornerstone. Such offerings not only signify a commitment to innovation and excellence but also serve as the bedrock upon which the esteemed reputation of ProTorque Energy is firmly built. “We have been serving the oil and gas industry since 2004,” says the upbeat Landon McDonald, ProTorque president. “We are fiercely proud of our expertise, our exceptional client relationships, and we continue to evolve and grow.” “ProTorque is ..read more

Lorraine Mitchelmore’s career has been a journey of transformation. From humble roots in the coastal communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mitchelmore’s enthusiasm for adventure and growth has propelled her on a path of strong leadership, seen in her roles both with Shell and multiple boards across some of Canada’s largest companies.     As this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner of the Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Awards, presented by Axis Connects, Mitchelmore has done it all. Her diverse roles span scientist, businesswoman, leader, public policy prop ..read more