OTTAWA -- The federal government is ready to clamp down further on mortgage rules if the boom in the Canadian housing market turns into a bubble, says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. In an exclusive interview with Canwest News Service and Global National, Mr. Flaherty said the government is closely monitoring the redhot housing market for signs that it is reaching "irrational" levels. "The reality is we have low mortgage rates . . . so we can expect some upward pressure on housing," he said. "That's OK, as long as it doesn't become a bubble. We're watching that." If you are procrastinating buying a home read this article; Flaherty Impact.pdf (301.17 kb)

Why Remember?

We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.

Turn up the sound and enjoy; Remembrance Day.wmv (6.05 mb)

MaxWell Realty " Community connections create affinity"

 

By Stephane Massinon, Calgary Herald November 11, 2009 

When police arrived at a suspected marijuana grow operation Tuesday morning, what they expected to find were the illegal plants. However, after entering the home on Somerset Crescent S.W., they were struck by the overwhelming smell of propane. It was coming from a broken propane line connected to a carbon dioxide generator.

"It could have had very devastating consequences if the propane had ignited," said Insp. Kevin Forsen of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams.The Calgary Fire Department was called to the house and it was cleared of the flammable gas."Our big concern is marijuana grow operations and the risk they pose to the community and neighbouring residences. We're very, very fortunate the investigator (identified) that smell," said Forsen.

The combination of power supplies and heat sources needed to keep the plants warm can add up to a dangerous situation, said police.When investigators re-entered the home, they found a grow operation that had 1,616 plants with an estimated street value of more than $2 million.

The house was empty at the time and no arrests have been made. The house was deemed unsafe for human habitation."A large grow op is now out of business, and a serious threat to public safety has been eliminated, making for a safer and more secure community," said Alberta Solicitor General Fred Lindsay in a statement.

smassinon@theherald, canwest.

com© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald 

By Bill Mah, Edmonton Journal October 30, 2009
 
Realtors are calling on the Alberta government to adopt guidelines for cleaning up houses that have been used for marijuana grow ops and meth labs.

The Alberta Real Estate Association released a report Thursday by indoor air-quality consultant Karen Rollins and University of Calgary architecture professor Tang Lee. The organization commissioned the pair to develop a set of standards.

Bill Fowler, director of industry and government relations for the real-estate association, said there are currently no standards in place for air quality when drug houses return to the market for unsuspecting home buyers to purchase.

"When drug operations are busted, any issues with the plumbing, heating or electrical or the building structure all can be rectified because there are code requirements in place," Fowler said.

"The big un-known is mould, air quality and air remediation. There are no accepted standards across the province, and our members are concerned about that."

When criminals grow pot plants or cook methamphetamine, they leave behind a potentially dangerous mess of toxic moulds, chemicals and illegal changes to wiring, plumbing, venting and structural integrity.

"If it's a grow op, the temperature is raised and extra humidity is added so these conditions are good for mould to grow, and there are lots of spills," said report co-author Rollins, of Canmore, Alta.,-based Indoor Air Quality Management.

According to Calgary police, about 100 grow ops are condemned in the city each year.

In Edmonton, there have been 1,940 houses identified as grow operations since July 2007, according to police figures.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald