- The mountain parks of Banff, Jasper and Waterton in Alberta have all reported a surge in visitors this summer, resulting in a record tourism year. Travel Alberta attributed the increase to the low value of the Canadian dollar.
- Husky Energy revealed that it has cut 1,400 positions so far in 2015, comprised of 280 full-time employees and 1,120 contractors. The company suggested that further job cuts may be required, along with the disposition of some assets.
- Williams, an Oklahoma-based supplier and operator of pipelines, has announced the next phase in the development and financing of a propane facility near Edmonton. The planned startup of the $900M facility is for the end of 2019.
- The Government of Alberta announced funding for 25 new supportive living projects for seniors across the province. Funding will cover up to half of the capital costs for long-term care and dementia care spaces.
- The City of Lethbridge ratified an agreement that provides a 9.5 percent wage increase for 156 city transit workers over a four year period.
- Air Canada has announced that it will no longer fly between Edmonton and London, England starting in 2016 due to economic conditions. WestJet is planning to offer flights to London’s Gatwick Airport beginning in May 2016.
- Imperial Oil recently reported that it has managed to reduce costs by $1.1B so far in 2015, without resorting to any staff layoffs. The company stated that it has approximately 5,500 employees.
- The Alberta Supports employment centre in downtown Edmonton is reporting an increase in traffic as more clients are seeking work or interested in career changes. The centre offers career advice and re-training ideas, in addition to help with resumes.
- The City of Airdrie and Airdrie Housing are building a new facility in the city that will provide 15 units of affordable housing, retail space and office space for the Community Links program. The project is estimated at $10.9M.
- The Town of Canmore and the Canmore Nordic Centre are gearing up for back-to-back World Cup events in February and March 2016. The Town is planning a winter carnival during the 6 weeks between the biathlon world cup and the cross-country world cup.
- The Government of Alberta announced the Job Creation Incentive Program to support employers in job creation over two years. The program will encourage hiring by providing up to $5,000 to employers for each new position created.
- The Government of Alberta announced approximately $30M in multi-year funding for flood infrastructure in High River. An additional $2M for flood modeling will support a working group to assess impacts of the planned flood defences.
- The Government of Alberta is providing $50M to Alberta-based entrepreneurs through the Alberta Enterprise Corp. The money is split equally over two years ending in 2016-17.
- Sil Industrial Materials, an Edmonton-based company, is planning a frac sand transloading facility in Yellowhead County. The project, which could see up to 60 trucks per day, is subject to a land rezoning decision.
- The Government of Alberta has reinstated the Summer Temporary Employment Program with $10M in yearly funding starting in 2016-17. The program will subsidize wages paid by employers for students over the May to August period.
- Vallen Medicine Hat, the local branch of safety supply company Vallen, closed on October 16, 2015. The area is now serviced by the Lethbridge branch.
- The City of Mediicne Hat has approved a $140,000 loan for upgrades and repairs to the Medicine Hat Curling Club building. The Government of Alberta also provided a $100,000 grant in January 2015 which was contingent on additional local funding.
- Grande Cache Coal announced that it is closing the underground mine in Grande Cache. The company issued layoff notices to 220 employees, effective December 24, 2015.
- American Airlines is cancelling its direct flight service between Edmonton and Dallas, Texas in early February 2016. The airline attributed the cancellation to the declining value of the Canadian dollar.
- Alpine resort operators in Alberta are expected to open for winter skiing shortly as a result of recent heavy snowfalls. Mount Norquay and Lake Louise are the first scheduled to open by mid-November.
- Pioneer Lodge, a seniors facility in Lloydminster, is moving forward with expansion, following a $4.4M grant from the Government of Alberta. The facility plans to hire licensed practical nurses and health care aides to provide 24 hour coverage.
- Lakeland College, in Vermilion, and Grande Prairie Regional College have recently signed an agreement to cooperate on emergency services training. Lakeland’s Emergency Training Centre currently prepares firefighters and other emergency personnel.
- The Petroleum Services Association of Canada expects continued weakness in the oil and gas sector in 2016, according to a recent report. The report says low commodity prices, oversupply and low cash flows are impacting the industry.
- The new hospital in Grande Prairie, currently under construction, is $89M over budget, and two years behind schedule according to recent estimates from the Government of Alberta. The hospital has been scaled back and has a projected opening in 2019.
- The Parkview Clinic, a new medical clinic in Olds, is expected to be open for business in January 2016. The clinic is planned for six physicians and an eyecare business.
- Nutraponics recently opened its commercial vertical aquaponics farming technology centre in Ardrossan. The company, which merges fish farming with hydroponics, is opening a second location in November 2016.
- The West Sturgeon Agricultural Society has received a $400,000 grant from Sturgeon County for a new community hall currently under construction in Calahoo. The $1.8M project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2016.
- The Tin Cup Restaurant, part of the St. Paul golf course, recently closed due to financial difficulties. The local Smitty’s Family Restaurant has offered employment to some of the affected staff.
- The Town of Taber has ratified a new three-year collective agreement with its unionized employees. The agreement provides a five percent wage increase over the 2015-17 period.
- The Town of Taber has ratified a new three-year collective agreement with its unionized employees. The agreement provides a five percent wage increase over the 2015-17 period.
- The Town of Westlock has approved a $5M project to upgrade infrastructure and utilities. The road and sidewalk component of the project is fully funded through government grants, but an additional $2.1M is required for the utility work.
- Gateway Casinos & Entertainment is investing $45M to tranform the Palace Casino at West Edmonton Mall into Starlight Casino Edmonton. The project is expected to add up to 300 new jobs.
- Telus Corp has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 1,500 positions. The company did not disclose details but stated that many of the cuts involve voluntary departures and early retirements.
- Ice Castles, a US company specializing in the construction of large ice castles, is training and hiring employees for a one-acre ice structure in Edmonton. The work is expected to be complete by the end of December 2015.
- Source: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_bulletin.do?cid=3373&EVENTCD=&INDUSTRYCD=&AREA=25262
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