real estate market: More one-percenters per capita call Calgary home than any other city in Canada, high-end retail stores are throwing open their doors for business and the real estate market saw more luxury homes go up for sale this year than any other year in the past, according to Huffington Post. More than 100,000 in-migrants came from other provinces in the past year to seek employment in one of the most desirable job markets in the world numbers even higher than the province's last oil boom of 2005-06 and Alberta, the land of plenty, is acquiring a taste for the high life. And it shouldn't really come as a surprise. Alberta currently leads the nation in salary increases and hourly pay . The province weathered the recent economic downturn well and consumer spending was the highest in the country last quarter. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Statistics Canada: The loonie was up 0.37 a cent to 95.99 cents US as Statistics Canada reported that contractors took out $6.5 billion worth of building permits in September, up 1.7 per cent from August. That was much higher than the 0.7 per cent rise that economists had expected, according to CTV. The EU's statistics office said that retail sales across the 17-country eurozone fell 0.6 per cent in September from the month before and TORONTO -- The Canadian dollar closed higher Wednesday amid rising commodity prices and strong housing data. Traders also looked ahead to Thursday and the next scheduled interest rate meeting of the European Central Bank amid hopes that the latest economic data will persuade the ECB to cut its key rate to 0.25 per cent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Katelyn Joliat: Intimidation factor: Negligible. The shop is small, white-walled and feels like a Goth/Victorian film set, according to The Star. Response time: Immediate. Joliat greets me upon arrival with a bright smile and Far Away Eyes , 295 Queen St. E. Number of salespeople on floor: One, owner Katelyn Joliat. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ted Menzies: The member for the riding of Macleod tweeted the news before releasing a more detailed statement thanking his wife, staff and long-time constituents for their support, according to Huffington Post. "I am retiring from politics but look forward to another exciting career ahead. Thank you all for the opportunity to proudly represent the most beautiful riding in Canada, and for the privilege to represent some of the greatest people I will ever know." OTTAWA - Alberta Conservative backbench MP Ted Menzies, who last summer declared he wouldn't run again in 2015, has announced his immediate resignation from the House of Commons. "The time has come for me to move on," Menzies said, noting that his decision earlier this year to surrender his ministerial duties allowed him to focus on helping flood-ravaged residents of southern Alberta. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

George Jay Elementary: The idea received initial approval from trustees at the committee stage and will go before the regular board later this month. , according to Times Colonist. Its not a program that is just in one part of the city, she said. Its quite a viable option for every family in the city, so you dont have to travel long distances to get into a program. The increasing popularity of French immersion classes in Greater Victoria schools may prompt the district to expand the program to George Jay Elementary next year. If approved, George Jay would become the ninth elementary school in the district to offer French immersion, which may explain the programs growing popularity, said deputy superintendent Sherri Bell. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

crack cocaine: One day after the Toronto mayor admitted to reporters he smoked crack cocaine about a year ago, probably while in a drunken stupor, a number of city councillors are suggesting that he step aside, at least temporarily, and get some help -- calls that Ford has so far rejected, according to CTV. Speaking to reports Wednesday morning, Coun. Janet Davis said Ford has lost power and legitimacy at city hall and As the fallout from Rob Fords stunning crack confession continues, some people are questioning whether he should continue on as mayor of Canadas largest city. Folks, I have nothing left to hide. I would do anything, absolutely anything, to change the past. But the past is the past and we must move forward, he said Tuesday. In 2010, I made a commitment to Toronto voters. I have delivered on that commitment and I will continue to deliver on that commitment (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sidney Crosby: As Canadas rookie first minister, Premier Stephen McNeil could be a game-changer for Nova Scotia and indeed the country, according to The Chronicle Herald. Change the scoreboard: But, unlike Sidney Crosby or Nathan MacKinnon, the Premier will need a seriously revamped playbook if he is to become an impact player. While he doesnt have a big-league contract, he did earn a big majority. Sticking with the hockey analogy, heres five transformational ideas for a new Nova Scotia playbook. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

FREE PRESS: DALE CUMMINGS / FREE PRESS ARCHIVES , according to Winnipeg Free Press. This does not make them all-knowing or all-wise. When they venture into large explanations of economic history and sweeping prescriptions for reform, they are just people with opinions, like any other Canadian. But they do know some things Prime Minister Stephen Harper does not know. DALE CUMMINGS / FREE PRESS ARCHIVES Related Items Articles Cupboards still bare here, report finds Enlarge Image The food banks of Canada have earned the right to lecture governments and the public about our economic system and our social safety net. They have earned that right by rolling up their sleeves to do the hard work of meeting the neediest families, hearing their stories and finding safe, nutritious food for them in the nooks and crannies of our advanced, industrial economy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Dow Jones: The S P/TSX composite index was up 18.7 points to 13,380.41, with added strength from the mining components, according to CTV. U.S. indexes were mainly higher as the Dow Jones industrials ran up 128.66 points to an all-time high of 15,746.88. The Nasdaq fell 7.92 points to 3,931.95 while the S P 500 index gained 7.52 points to 1,770.49 and TORONTO -- The Toronto stock market closed slightly higher Wednesday amid positive earnings news and hopes that the European Central Bank will cut interest rates to help a weak economy recover. The Canadian dollar was up 0.37 of a cent to 95.99 cents US amid strong housing data. Contractors took out $6.5 billion worth of building permits in September, up 1.7 per cent from August and much higher than the 0.7 per cent rise that had been expected. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

CPP Investment Board: Finance ministers hatch plan to enhance CPP, Nov. 3, according to The Star. The conventional wisdom approves the investment of tax withholdings into the stock market through the CPP Investment Board. But estimated job losses make it apparent that these monies dont return to the real economy but rather become channeled into asset bubbles leading to booms followed by bust and Re: Finance ministers hatch plan to enhance CPP, Nov. 3 According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, a provincial proposal to increase CPP contributions would result in a one per cent drop in wages and the loss of 500,000 person years of employment. But if payroll tax increases are deflationary and hurt the economy, why then do premiers insist on increasing premiums in order to maintain a fully funded CPP? (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.