August | 2011 | Canada's top source for Alberta's business news

August 2011

When it comes to advertising, sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry

As Edmonton's Fluid Salon is learning, sometimes free speech can be very, very expensive >

A Valeant offer for Afexa Life Sciences

Afexa Life Sciences, the maker of Cold-FX, finds its white knight. >

Cold-FX Heats Up

The maker of Cold-FX is fighting a hostile takeover bid from Paladin Labs. Is there anyone willing to save it? >

Muddy waters

Fortune 500 insiders are buying. Should you? >

Will Red Arrow make a move?

In October, Alberta's long-distance bus service will be deregulated. Will Red Arrow profit from the decision? >

Coal vs Natural Gas – Alberta’s two dominant electricity generations feedstocks face off

Alberta sits on more than 34 billion tonnes of coal deposits, but Ottawa wants to wean the country off coal-powered electricity. Could a switch to greater reliance on natural gas work for the province? Would it help the environment? >

Who Blinks First?

Ottawa and Alberta are debating the right way to regulate the oil sands. The answer will set the tone for the industry’s development for years to come. >

Return on Investment: Give That You May Receive

The profit motive behind creative philanthropy >

Vital Statistics: Power Distribution & Generation

Industry Report >

The Smart Investor: The Baby and the Bathwater

Migao Corp. has suffered from guilt by association. I think it will be exonerated by the markets >

Risk Management: How Can I Keep My Staff?

Make sure workers are emotionally and intellectually committed to work >

Executive Speak: Pamela Strand - Diamond Hunter

The CEO of Shear Minerals hopes to transform Shear Minerals from an exploration company into a diamond producer >

Lifestyle Essentials: Exorcise the Excuses

Forget ‘no pain, no gain.’ In 2011, it’s all about blending fitness and fun >

Banff National Park: A Photo Gallery

Illustrating the fundamental conflict between development and wild space >

Legal Eagles: Why Paying By The Hour Isn’t Always Best

A frank discussion of some alternative billing arrangements >

Inside/Out: Rest in Piece

The General Hospital, Calgary >

Inconclusive evidence

Commentators are claiming that the stimulus measures of the last few years have been a failure. But what do the facts say? >

Update: Concrete Equities

Where are they now? >

The Taming of the Screw

Almita Piling is finding fortune in foundations >

Free money

For businesses, the recent stock market slump might actually prove to be a positive development >

Next Up: Almost Famoso

You may not know Christian Bullock, but you’ve almost certainly eaten at one of his restaurants. Meet Alberta’s own franchise player >

The trouble with America

American democracy used to be the envy of the world. Today, it might be the root cause of most of its economic problems. >

Why you might not want to look at your portfolio right now

The month of August has gotten off to a dreadful start for most investors. What should you do, and what does it mean? >

Albertan Pastoral: A Web Exclusive Profile of Social Entrepreneur Jeff Senger

Sangudo based Jeff Senger brings his urban dynamism to rural Alberta life >

Growing Concern: Calgary based Cognera Corp. set to take advantage of the smart grid switch

A Fast Growth 50 profile >

Oil Sands Propaganda

A new series of posters touting the ethical nature of the oil sands guides our public debate toward the gutter >

Toward a National Energy Plan

Taking the high road would allow Alberta to assume a new and more prominent role in the federation >

Alberta Venture Podcast - Will This Spark Fly?

In this edition we explore Alberta's electricity market, its many shortcomings and a possible ray of hope >

9 Ways To Get Your Green Back

How a focus on the environment can help your company’s bottom line >

The Emerald Awards 2011

From big businesses to small community groups, the Alberta Emerald Foundation seeks out those who have taken action to preserve and enhance Alberta’s environment >

Ion Print Solutions Group

Sheet Happenings: Business Award >

Bighorn Backcountry Monitoring Group

Trailblazers: Shared Footprints Award >

Will This Spark Fly?

When it comes to Alberta’s retail market for electricity, competition isn’t working as well as some had hoped. One group of entrepreneurs thinks it’s time for some co-operation >

Upstarts: Play Golf Alberta

How Jeff Sveen is getting Albertans on the links with some innovative partnerships >

Power From The People: Will Enmax’s Plan for Distributed Generation Take Off?

Enmax envisions a city powered by thousands of small generators. But will Calgary’s city-owned utility be able to wean the city off big, centralized power plants? >