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MB Economic Fundamentals 2008-11

joeiannuzzi

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Manitoba`s building business booming

CONSTRUCTION activity in Manitoba in 2008 is shaping up to be the second-busiest year on record and that`s got general contractors trying to keep hammers, drills and wrenches in the air.

Ron Hambley, executive vice-president of the Winnipeg Construction Association, said despite fears of an economic slowdown, it`s anticipated $2 billion worth of construction work will be completed in the province this year, trailing only 2007`s $2.2 billion.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscribe...p-4891931c.html
 

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Winnipeg may not see significant job losses


WINNIPEG is the home of about 600 Canwest employees, but it may escape significant job cuts.

A company spokesman wouldn`t comment on specifics on the regional job cuts, but a source close to the situation confirmed three local Global Winnipeg people were told their jobs were being phased out.

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Possible water/sewer hike could be city council`s last


An increase in water and sewer rates passed another hurdle at city hall yesterday, as did a plan that could relieve civic politicians of the job of approving more rate hikes in the future. Mayor Sam Katz`s executive policy committee unanimously approved a recommendation to raise water and sewer rates effective Jan. 1, 2009, although the increase is less than originally projected.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2...394171-sun.html
 

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Sewage service attractive to communities


Saddled with failing septic fields and an enormous cleanup tab, two bedroom communities north of Winnipeg would gladly pay a premium to send some of their sewage upstream along the Red River.

The rural municipalities St. Andrews and West St. Paul are eager to hook up their sewers to Winnipeg`s North End Water Pollution Control Centre, which is undergoing improvements as part of the city`s $1.8-billion wastewater upgrade.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4892948c.html
 

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Doer to be pressed for sales tax hike


A government lobby group is hoping to take a little extra from your wallet when you`re paying at the till. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities will vote on a proposal at their annual meeting later this month to pressure the Doer government to impose a 1% dedicated sales tax, which would be in addition to the 5% GST and 7% PST already collected on goods and services. The tax would pay for infrastructure, such as bridges and roads.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2...406141-sun.html
 

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`In good shape`


Manitoba will be better sheltered from the effects of the global economic downturn than nearly every other province in Canada, says a report released yesterday. The Ottawa-based Conference Board of Canada -- one of the country`s largest think tanks -- released its latest economic projections yesterday, predicting Manitoba will have the second-highest economic growth in Canada in 2008, and the third highest next year.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Business/2008/1...405996-sun.html
 

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Real reason for council`s desire to create utility


BEFORE Mike O`Shaughnessy gave up his gig as city council`s finance boss, barely a meeting would go by without a crusty complaint about the cost of hiring outside engineers.

Ever since 2003, when the provincial government ordered Winnipeg to upgrade its waste-water treatment facilities, the city has paid millions to firms such as Earth Tech, UMA Engineering and Wardrop to draw up plans for the massive, $1.8-billion project.

"We pay them for what? For working in an office," O`Shaughnessy used to grumble whenever status reports came before the finance committee.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4893532c.html
 

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More diamond lanes for city thoroughfares


COMMUTERS who take Regent Avenue, McPhillips Street or Henderson Highway to work or school, beware: Winnipeg Transit has reserved a brand-new set of diamond lanes for bikes and buses.

As of Monday, the following five lanes will be reserved for transit vehicles, cyclists and right-turning vehicles during the morning and afternoon rush hours:

"ö Regent Avenue eastbound, between Rougeau Avenue and Plessis Road.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4893553c.html
 

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Sales tax idea stinks


ENGSTROM: The Association of Manitoba Municipalities wants Gary Doer to create a new 1% sales tax that would be dedicated to fixing infrastructure like roads and bridges. Paul, is this a good idea?

RUTHERFORD: I would say no, I wouldn`t want another tax with the economic times we`re looking at right now. BRODBECK: Every year or so, municipalities join forces and demand more money directly from taxpayers in the form of a new tax. It never seems to end. It`s New Deal: Part 5. It`s Glen Murray in a different monkey suit every year. The reality is they`ve already been getting increased portions of taxes from the federal and provincial governments -- portions of gas taxes and GST rebates and so on, as well as increased infrastructure money. If there is still more money needed, it should come from existing taxes. Canadians are way overtaxed, especially in Manitoba.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2...419501-sun.html
 

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Portage residents peeved at proposal to hike PST

A proposal that could see a hike to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) by one per cent has most Portage la Prairie and area residents peeved.

The city of Portage has requested the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) lobby the government to increase the PST to eight per cent from the current rate of seven per cent.

In the resolution, the city is asking the AMM to lobby the Manitoba government to either give one per cent of the current seven per cent PST revenue directly to municipalities, or raise the PST to eight per cent to raise the extra revenue.

http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/Article....aspx?e=1300296
 

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Value of your home likely rises

If you own a house or condo in Winnipeg, maybe you`ve already received that terrifying city letter, informing you the value of your home has blown up faster than a propane can left in a barbecue.

Between 2003 and 2008, the assessed value of a residential home in Winnipeg increased by an average of 78 per cent, city property assessors determined earlier this year.

On paper, this makes sense, considering the meteoric rise of residential property listings during a red-hot Winnipeg housing market that cooled off only this fall in the face of the global economic crisis.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4894196c.html
 

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Retail development chugging along

Developers aren`t letting the global economic crisis prevent them from pursuing new retail opportunities in Winnipeg.

Calgary-based Hopewell Development Ltd. plans to build a 45,000-square-foot retail complex adjacent to the Sears furniture store on Ellice Avenue.

Shindico Inc. is also still beating the bushes for tenants for two previously announced retail developments -- the 250,000-to-300,000-square-foot Reenders Festival shopping centre near Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, and the $30-million-to-$35-million development being planned for the former Winnipeg Arena-CTV properties at Polo Park.

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Two new skywalks planned for 2010

The city plans to link cityplace mall with the Winnipeg Convention Centre by constructing two new skywalks, after abandoning a larger plan to complete a weather-protected loop in downtown Winnipeg.

New skywalks would connect cityplace and the office tower at 330 St. Mary and the latter building with the Delta Hotel, which is already connected with the Winnipeg Convention Centre, according to a report before city council on Wednesday.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4894434c.html
 

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Safeway`s new outlet closes Ellice store


CANADA Safeway plans to upgrade or redevelop seven more of its Manitoba stores over the next two years as part of a multi-year overhaul of its grocery retailing operations in North America.

Company spokesman John Graham said the seven outlets include five stores in Winnipeg and one each in Brandon and Dauphin. The Winnipeg stores are at 3059 Ness Ave., 2860 Pembina Hwy., 841 Leila Ave., 595 Mountain Ave. and 1441 Henderson Hwy.

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Vancouver offers civic vote model


The City of Vancouver held an election over the weekend, resulting in a new mayor and a 40% turnover in the makeup of council. What`s also interesting when looking at the results of the Vancouver election is that voters had the opportunity to not only vote for their mayor -- choosing from 15 candidates -- but also for candidates to fill all 10 council positions for three-year terms.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Business/2008/1...447401-sun.html
 

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City may sue owner of huts used for housing


THE city is considering legal action against a man who set up five plywood huts that he rented out as makeshift housing.

The shelters -- two outside his home in St. Boniface and three in the lot of his Henry Avenue warehouse in the inner city -- are heated with space heaters.

On Tuesday, the city spoke to the owner of the properties, Charles Warman.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4895130c.html
 

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Residents demand a say on hospital`s expansion


West Alexander residents will draw public attention today to their fight to stop the destruction of hundreds of homes if the Health Sciences Centre expands.

The city drew up a neighbourhood plan for expansion of HSC and development of a cluster of biotech industries in the streets immediately north of Manitoba`s largest hospital.

"As a result of the secondary plan and expansion of Health Sciences Centre, they were doing things in a way that didn`t involve us residents, people who live in the community, in their process," said Warren Goulet, who has lived in the area for more than 35 years. "To take on such a major endeavour that would tear apart the neighbourhood, so to speak, how can you not involve people that are stakeholders?"

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sto...p-4895172c.html
 

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Deficit next year unlikely: Selinger


The provincial government is not likely to run a deficit next year, Finance Minister Greg Selinger said yesterday. Selinger`s comments came just ahead of a new session of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, which opens tomorrow with Lt.-Gov. John Harvard delivering a speech outlining the NDP government`s priorities for the coming year.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Manitoba/2...458796-sun.html
 

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Big U of W plans get primary OK


Change is coming to the city`s downtown and the University of Winnipeg, as plans to demolish the United Army Surplus building and refurbish the downtown bus depot jumped its first hurdle. The first phase of the redevelopment was approved Monday night by the university`s board of regents.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Business/2008/1...458676-sun.html
 
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