David Walkington is the Owner of The Landscape Artist Inc., a trusted Calgary landscaping company serving homeowners since 1977. Specializing in custom residential landscape design and construction, the team manages projects from concept to completion – including decks, patios, retaining walls, water features, planting, and lighting. From small backyards to large acreage properties, The Landscape Artist creates outdoor spaces homeowners are proud of.
Stacie Lara is a dynamic senior executive specializing in organizational leadership and foreign direct investment. With a proven track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth initiatives and advising senior leaders across global markets, she is known for her strategic insight, professionalism, and collaborative approach.
The recent WTAL win for AEG Marketing and Communications Director Cathie Saroka honours her 40‑year legacy in Calgary’s architectural‑glass industry – a sector still dominated by men. While accolades matter, true economic strength comes from countless Alberta entrepreneurs who quietly create jobs, mentor teams, and sustain communities year after year.
Israel’s market bounce defies short seller bets. Resilient economic growth, robust tech exports, and strong foreign investment have driven a rapid rebound. Israel’s tech heavy Nasdaq presence, immigration driven talent pool, and smart economic policies amplify this upside, leaving short sellers with mounting losses and making a market decline wager far riskier than ever.
High profile deals such as the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) often fall short of expectations, leaving investors skeptical. These “grand bargains” frequently fail to deliver promised value – over-estimated synergies, regulatory hurdles, and rushed integrations routinely undermine outcomes, resulting in stakeholder disappointment.
John Mauldin’s latest piece spotlights a harsh reality: the “Valley of Death,” where modest income gains erase government support, leaving families financially disadvantaged. As the middle class feels the squeeze, AEG calls for policies that reward work, boost upward mobility, and protect Albertans and Canadians from this systemic trap.
The promised West‑Coast oil pipeline could become a “pipe dream” if Ottawa’s regulatory hurdles and carbon‑tax conditions stall progress. While Alberta’s premier celebrates a new federal memorandum of understanding that would allow a million‑barrel‑per‑day line and TMX expansion, lingering policy demands risk turning the project into a costly political symbol rather than a revenue engine.
After a 23‑year lull, Alberta teachers struck, reviving scrutiny of public‑sector unions, hefty pension liabilities, and opaque school‑board finances. Taxpayers question soaring admin costs, untracked supply expenses, and a $2B operational request. Though the government promises more staff and salary hikes, the core issue remains: ensuring transparent, fiscally responsible education funding for Alberta’s growing student body.
Alberta’s most iconic companies began as humble startups, yet Canada’s pipeline of high‑potential ventures is slipping behind the U.S. and EU. Rising capital‑gains taxes, red‑tape, and trade hurdles deter founders, while rival nations reward risk. By adopting a QSBS‑style exemption, cutting bureaucratic delays, and easing provincial barriers, Canada can reclaim its status as a cradle for world‑changing ideas.
This week, Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore fresh pipeline infrastructure – a rare alignment of Alberta and Ottawa. As Rational Optimists, Albertans seize the chance, recognizing that expanded pipeline capacity, stronger federal provincial ties, and a thriving Alberta are essential pillars of Canada’s long term prosperity.
