British Columbia

The new U.S.-based owners of the Dawson Mall in Dawson Creek are giving the run-down facility a $10 million facelift. "The centre has been in disregard for years," Milestone Communications Leonard Forkas Jr. CEO said.

Canada's leading shopping-centre developer is making big moves in the Lower Mainland with eyes on what will be a first for the company: mixed-use projects. On June 30, Toronto-based First Capital Realty Inc.

The first six-storey residential wood-frame building in B.C. has broken ground in Richmond. Work on Remy, a 188-unit affordable housing project designed by Patrick Cotter Architect Ltd., started in June.

The overall Metro Vancouver office vacancy rate is among the lowest in North America and the second lowest in Western Canada, behind smaller Regina and tied with Winnipeg.

In developments that could shake and shape northwestern Canada ports from Prince Rupert. B.C. to Churchill, Manitoba the first tankers and bulk carriers have begun crossing the fabled Northwest Passage between Asia and Europe.

Responsible for 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, the school is an important economic engine in the community and is proving a catalyst for new development both on surrounding properties and throughout the city.

The Vancouver-based gold explorer was sent reeling in February when the provincial government announced an agreement with the State of Montana to protect the Flathead from potentially damaging mining projects.

“There’s no silver bullet or we would have fired it by now,” Gratton said.

But the old days of awkward access to Maple Ridge have left one legacy: real estate prices in this community of 75,000 remain the lowest of all major Metro Vancouver municipalities.

“Listings are up and sales are up over last year – and we expect this to continue. Affordable housing and low unemployment rates will continue to lead the north into a healthy economy,” said BCNREB president Claudia Holland.