NAIT opens massive Trades training expansion

Yet another indicator that the trades are booming:

"The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, which trains half of Alberta's apprentices and 20 per cent of those in all of Canada, threw open the doors on state-of-the art training facilities Tuesday that will see capacity for instrumentation apprentices grow by more than 60 per cent and by 25 per cent for millwright apprentices.

The $39.6-million NAIT Spartan Centre for Instrumentation Technology and Petro-Canada Centre for Millwright Technology officially opened with a ceremony featuring the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Blacklight Drum Line."

Pretty mind boggling to think of the measures the province and post-secondary schools are going to in an attempt to solve teh Alberta Labour crisis, specifically in the trades.

Univeristy grad goes on cross country adventure working a different job every week for a full year

Interesting article covering a university graduate who secured sponsors so that he could travel across the country working a different job every week for a year. Interesting concept which highlights how grads tend to struggle identifying a specific career path of choice after finishing school.

Red Deer holds Alberta's lowest unemployment rate at 2.9%

CBC news recently reported that the province gained 3000+ workers from July to August but Red Deer still held the lowest unemployment rate in province at 2.9%.

Union Boss calls out Big Oil for scare mongering

Good article basically calling out the Oil & Gas Sector following their comments that increased royalties could cripple job growth and possibly result in layoffs:

"Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said he's concerned that in the runup to the next provincial election, union members will get a strong message from their employers that they should support anyone who opposes new, stronger regulation of the province's energy royalty regime.

"We want to be sure that no one is taken in by this 'sky is falling' message that the industry is putting out - that if the recommendations are implemented, jobs will be lost," said McGowan. "We don't buy it. These are just scare tactics aimed at helping the energy industry keep an unreasonably large piece of the pie." "

Commentary on the Canadian Dollars 30 year high, inflation and potentially devastating effect on the majority of Canada

Great article outlining the dangers of our strong dollar, high interest rates and stabilized/lowered inflation rates. The authors concern is that this combination can spell disaster for our manufacturing and other non-energy related jobs. Good food for thought.

Big Oil immediatley impacted by rumors of increased royalties

Numerous producers say 3% - 12% decreases in their stock prices following a report that the Government of Alberta needs to drastically increase its out dated energy royalty figures.

Stelmach Claims He Won't be Intimidated By Big Business After Oil Royalties Review Report Suggests Increase Needed Immediately

After a bombshell report was released yesterday claiming that the Alberta government NEEDS TO INCREASE ROYALTIES IMMEDIATELY, tension has never been higher between the Oil & Gas Producers and the Government.

After a day of grumblings and threats by the Oil & Gas Producers, the Premier has publicly stated today that he will not be intimidated and will do the right thing in the face of pressure from the private sector.

It is yet to be announced what the Government plans to do with these royalty recommendations and what the eventual effects might be on the current Alberta Boom.