Field of Dreams (Part II)
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation Whenever I point to the Jets Stadium and the establishment of the Vauxhall Baseball Academy as an example of a very successful local and rural infrastructure investment that has yielded some great economic development and social dividends, the response is overwhelmingly positive. Often, it’s outright [...]
Newer and Better
By: Ann Pham, Communication Coordinator, Canada West Foundation I recently returned for a visit to my old university campus. I almost didn’t recognize where I was. It’s only been two years since I graduated from the University of Calgary, but so much has changed. Buildings have sprouted in the field where my friends and I [...]
Edmonton’s Innovative Approach Turns Waste into Revenue
By: Simon Farbrother, City Manager, City of Edmonton The City of Edmonton is becoming well known for its highly integrated and sustainable waste management system. This system is built on a vision that views waste differently—not as something useless but as a resource. Currently, the City of Edmonton is diverting up to 60% of all [...]
It’s Alive!
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation This year, my son Mitchell graduated out of Mr. Green’s grade three class. Like his two older sisters before him, dad was called upon once again to help with Mr. Green’s “special” grade three science project—building a two-foot long bridge using only popsicle sticks, cardboard, [...]
Moose Jaw’s “Lean” Hospital Could Yield “Big” Dividends
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation About a year ago the good citizens of Moose Jaw—Saskatchewan’s fourth largest city—were thrilled by news that a new hospital would be built to replace the city’s aging Union Hospital. The new facility is tagged at $105 million, of which 80% will be paid by [...]
Wanted: An Innovative LTIP
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation After burning up 3,000 kilometers on western Canada’s highways, it feels good to be back in the saddle at Canada West Foundation’s offices in Calgary. In Saskatoon, I took part in a special Municipal Infrastructure Forum hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) following [...]
What If?
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation Communities of Tomorrow President John Lee and myself have spoken across western Canada about the need for innovative infrastructure solutions and www.LetsTOC.ca. Recent events include the annual general meeting of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and Economic Development Alberta (EDA). In our “tag-team” presentation, [...]
Something New for a 125th Anniversary: Sustaining Public Infrastructure
By: Konrad Siu (P.Eng., FCSCE), along with Dr. Robert Driver (P.Eng., MCSCE) and Dr. Jeffrey DiBattista (P.Eng., MCSCE), Co-chairs of the 125th Annual CSCE Conference The annual conference marking the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), running from June 6-9, 2012, will offer an exciting venue and numerous opportunities to learn [...]
Dealing With “Dirty Dirt” (Part II)
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation The benefits of urban brownfield development are numerous and significant, breathing new life into old neighbourhoods, increasing local property values and land productivity, and mitigating sprawl. There is also a strong infrastructure connection. Brownfields sit upon an existing network of roads, sidewalks, lighting, water mains, [...]
Technology Boosts Public Transit
By: Casey Vander Ploeg, Senior Policy Analyst, Canada West Foundation In most large cities, public transit boasts a long history, being one of the most visible and vital services provided to citizens. The transit system in Calgary, for example, goes back to 1909 when the Calgary Municipal Railway was established with a dozen electric streetcars. [...]
