Alberta

Calgary's recovering housing market took a step back in August, with single-family house sales slipping by 32 per cent from August 2009 and condo sales off 42 per cent from the same month a year ago.

That means the relatively modest growth of the past two years - only 1.4 per cent annually from 2008 to 2010 - could easily be surpassed.

Don't expect growth to slip too much in 2010 and 2011 with the planned completion of the 32nd Street traffic corridor.

Its plans for Medicine Hat and area include two new high-voltage lines that total 110 kilometres in length northeast and southeast of the Gas City, as well as other major upgrades to the southern Alberta network.

Alberta has another city with a population over 60,000. St. Albert, Edmonton's largest suburb, topped that mark officially with completion of its 2010 census. The bedroom community grew at an annual rate of 1.

Building activity is down slightly from last year in the Stampede city, but up significantly in Alberta's capital, leaving Calgary and Edmonton almost neck and neck for building-permit values in the first half of 2010.

While Calgary's residential vacancy rate was up this spring, Edmonton's multifamily sector appears to be stabilizing, even as vacancy increases.

Calgary drivers who occasionally are left in traffic jams on Deerfoot and Glenmore trails may be surprised to hear their city is the top eco-city on a list compiled by human resources specialist Mercer.

The economy may be recovering from the doldrums of 2008 and 2009, but a key indicator of Calgary's economic health suggests the heart of the "New West" isn't pumping growth right now.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk announced in early August that the province would be selling off two parcels for industrial land south of Fort McMurray starting in September.