Latest news with #Kaeding
West Australian
10-08-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Avon Descent: Bumper rainfall brought fast-flowing ride for competitors in Northam
Bumper winter rains made for an exhilarating Avon Descent for competitors and spectators alike — with rapidly-rising water levels attracting last-minute competitors. Northam Avon Descent Association board chair Greg Kaeding said the annual two-day event had higher water levels than last year and a greater than usual number of competitors made it through to the finish line as a result of heavy rainfall over the past week. 'We had excellent water,' he said. 'The rainfall that fell in the lower half of the catchment made it quite exciting riding through the valley this year. 'The paddlers were really excited by the fact that they were able to get carried down through the valley with very little damage to crafts.' Mr Kaeding said even though water levels in the Avon River had not broken any records, it reached around 3m at its highest points. 'Paddlers were very happy there was water — and it was actually getting bigger as they paddled,' he said. 'It went up about 0.5m over the last 24 hours, which was really fantastic.' He said around 180 competitors tackled the 124kms ultra marathon, while more than 200 took part in short course races. Kayaker Luke Dooley was the first solo paddler across the line in the ultra marathon, in eight hours and 44 minutes, while Nina Mueller was the fastest female solo paddler. The leading power dinghy, with Matt Even and Matt Thur, covered the course in two hours and 10 minutes.
Hamilton Spectator
28-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Sask signs MOU with Alberta and Ontario on pipelines, minerals and energy exports
In the spirit of strengthening domestic trade, the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario have signed a memorandum of understanding on how to handle the safe transportation and export of oil, natural gas, and critical minerals to refineries, seaports, and points beyond national borders. 'Any time that we can focus on moving goods more efficiently out of the province, it's going to be good for the province,' said Warren Kaeding, Minister of Trade and Export Development. 'We're so export dependent, and in order for us to continue that export growth—because that's what we've seen over the last number of years, is significant growth, and I think all our sectors want to be able to participate in that growth for the future—we need to have an efficient transportation corridor to get it where it needs to go.' Kaeding says that includes the United States, even in an unstable environment where tariff threats loom and shift focus constantly. 'We can't forget about improving our access to the U.S. as well,' Kaeding said. 'They are always going to be a major trading partner for us, but we also are diversifying our trade away through each of the other ports into international destinations—whether that's Asia, or that's Europe, or that's Africa, or South America—each one of them has a different port access that would be the most efficient to get goods and services to them. That's why we need agreements like these, MOUs like these, to focus on what is best for Saskatchewan and as well as the partners that we're signing with—what's best for them to get goods moved more efficiently.' The agreement between the three provinces will help strengthen trade through shared infrastructure development and co-ordinated market strategies. One question on many minds is what that means for a true cross-Canada energy pipeline. 'He certainly articulated that he's willing to support those in the Canadian national interest,' Kaeding said when asked if Prime Minister Carney has indicated anything definite on the issue. 'I would say that certainly our premier, Premier Smith, I think even Premier Ford in Ontario, has articulated that will be in Canada's national interest to support a pipeline.' One study from the Montreal Economic Institute estimated if Canada had gone ahead with the Energy East and LNG Quebec pipelines over the past 10 years, some $38.4 billion in energy products could have been redirected annually to markets other than the U.S. 'We are sending a clear signal that Canada's energy future will be built by Canadians, for Canadians,' Premier Scott Moe said of the MOU. 'This agreement commits our provinces to work together to unlock new markets, shore up our supply chains from mine to port and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs. By advancing pipelines, rail connections and critical-mineral processing capacity, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening our energy security and fostering sustainable growth.' No movement on canola tariff As the landscape across Saskatchewan blazes bright yellow with blooming canola, the 100 per cent tariff on the cash crop heading to China is still in full force. The tax is in retaliation to Canada's 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. Meanwhile, China is eyeing Australia as the source of their canola oil and meal products. 'China is definitely an important market for our canola producers, as well as some of the other destinations that we currently sell to,' Kaeding said. 'From what we understand, the Prime Minister has had a number of levels of engagement with Chinese leadership to try and work through this. I'd like to see something articulated sooner than later to make sure that canola markets are strong, and values are at the levels they are currently at or better. That makes sure that our crushers have a very viable large market to continue to ship oil to and meal to.' Kaeding feels a deal with China can't be made fast enough, but it's not a provincial decision—any deal brokered would need to come from the federal level. 'We're going to continue to keep working on them (the federal government), pressuring them, pushing them to work out this trade issue,' Kaeding said. 'It's not only canola, it's also peas and it's pork, which are also important commodities for us in the province here, too.' Upgrading Churchill Saskatchewan also signed on to another MOU last week, this time with Manitoba and the Arctic Gateway Group regarding the expansion of Arctic trade via the Port of Churchill. 'It's probably under-utilized for a reason,' Kaeding said of Churchill. 'It's definitely a very sensitive railway in that there's a number of issues—what it's mounted on, in permafrost, and going through sensitive areas for development. We know it's going to need a significant amount of investment, which all our ports do.' The northern Manitoba port is the shortest link from the Prairies to the Atlantic Ocean, and once saw Saskatchewan grain as a major export, until 2012 when the Canadian Wheat Board's single desk marketing power ceased on Aug. 1 of that year, effectively losing the port's largest customer. The Port of Churchill officially closed four years later, followed by significant spring flooding in 2017 that washed out tracks of the Hudson Bay Railway in 20 places. Earlier this year, the federal government pledged $43 million over two years through the Remote Passenger Rail Program to Arctic Gateway to fix the HBR. 'That's just again confirming our support of the initiatives we're going to need to develop national infrastructure—the corridors, the gateways,' Kaeding said of the agreement with Manitoba. 'You hear Premier (Moe) talking all the time about port to port to port, and whether that's the west coast ports of Rupert, Kitimat, or Vancouver, or east coast ports like St. John, New Brunswick now is a big one for our potash guys trying to ship potash into Europe. Even the ports of Montreal, anywhere along the St. Lawrence that is moving export goods and as well as developing and certainly understanding what we're going to need to put into Churchill to make it an even more viable port.' Busy summer for trade While some folks are enjoying a summer vacation, Kaeding has been busy talking trade and why places ought to do it with us. 'Looking at incredible opportunities that we've got from Armenia to Zaire,' he said, fresh off a string of meetings with international guests at Ag in Motion in Langham. 'There's interest from all over the world now in what we're doing here in Saskatchewan—especially in the ag sector and the value-added sector.' During the agriculture show near Saskatoon, Kaeding met with representatives from 15 different countries. Earlier this month, Kaeding was in Québec City for the Committee on Internal Trade meeting that saw the province call on all provinces and territories to join the new West Partnership Trade Agreement. The largest barrier-free market between provinces is comprised of more than 11 million Canadians with a combined GDP topping $818 billion. 'Premier (Moe) is signing MOUs that are certainly trying to enhance our opportunities between each province in reducing the trade barriers, improving the mutual recognition and labor mobility, just to make sure that everyone is focused on reducing the interprovincial trade barriers that currently exist,' Kaeding said. 'So that's definitely one area that we're focusing on.' Some of the results of the CIT include reducing party-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement by an additional 30 per cent, the expansion of the Mutual Recognition Project in the trucking sector to reduce cost and improve efficiency, and an MOU on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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Hamilton Spectator
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Province leading the way in housing starts
Recent statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show urban housing starts in Saskatchewan have grown by 108.6 per cent during the first five months of 2025, when compared with the same time last year. That surge in growth has ranked the province first place in Canada for growth in the category. 'The continued growth in housing starts reflects growing demand for homes,' said Melville-Saltcoats MLA and Minster of Trade and Export Development, Warren Kaeding. 'This demand is driven by a strong and growing economy and investment.' In May alone, urban housing starts have risen a staggering 205.9 per cent when compared to May, 2024—placing Saskatchewan in second amongst the provinces for year-over-year growth. Breaking down the numbers even further, work starting on single family homes rose 63.7 per cent while multi-unit residential construction rocketed by 617.9 per cent when comparing May 2025 to the year previous. 'Saskatchewan's economy continues to show positive momentum and investor confidence,' Kaeding said. 'More homes are being built, and more people are living and working across the province than ever before.' There are a few enticing factors that make Saskatchewan an attractive option for business as Kaeding pointed out. 'Saskatchewan's stable business environment, low taxes, utility rates, and competitive incentives are bringing opportunity, investment and jobs to the province,' he said. 'Initiatives such as Saskatchewan's Investment Attraction Strategy help to amplify growth in Saskatchewan and ensure continued business investment in the province. This investment supports resilient and vibrant communities for years to come.' At the local level, Moosomin made huge waves with their housing accelerator program, offering $30,000 to anyone interested in starting a build, plus more cash incentives for each additional door. With a deadline of 2027 to fulfill 43 new builds, the town is nicely poised to reach that target. At last count, there are 24 multi-unit/other, nine multi-unit/missing middle, and three other. To meet the 2027 goal, there needs to be 12 more new builds in the multi-unit/other category. 'We're sitting at 37; we need to hit 43, but we do still need another 12 units of multi-unit/other, so we're actually going to end up over the 43 units,' said Casey McCormac, EDO with Gateway Economic Development. 'I actually talked to council the other night and asked them if they wanted to just incentivize the multi-unit/other, but we still have a bit of funding left, so we're going to continue to keep it open to any type of housing units.' There is continued momentum around town these days, as McCormac noted. 'We have a new house going up that just started on Main Street,' she said. 'There's a house on Wright Road, it's a house with a secondary suite at the bottom of it. Then there's two more building permits in for houses that haven't started construction quite yet, but they will be starting hopefully soon.' As for commercial builds, 2024 certainly noted a sharp increase with the new Borderland Co-op Food Store and IJACK Technologies shop expansion as prime examples. 'We definitely did at the end of last year and beginning of this year,' McCormac said when asked about the rise in local commercial construction. 'I'm hoping to see a little bit more happening, but with the Borderline Co-op and IJACK's shop, there is definitely a lot of money and commercial investment in our area.' The only problem now is ensuring construction aligns with population demands, with the province officially cracking the 1.25 million people mark this year. As of April 1, Saskatchewan's population was estimated to be 1,253,569 with a second quarter increase of 20,501 people when compared with the same time last year. That growth has also extended to Moosomin, though we will need to wait until May 2026 for the official national population census to confirm by how many people. 'Even just with the six-plex and the 24 apartment units that were built, the six-plex is full, and I believe the 24 units are about three-quarters full,' McCormac said. 'And that filled up within a month, two months, maybe. We could potentially be a little faster (with construction), but there are definitely people that are still looking for places to live in Moosomin and aren't able to find them.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBS News
30-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Why is renting in Minneapolis so much more affordable than buying right now?
The rent-versus-buy question is one that millions of Americans grapple with. Now, nearly 30 percent of Minnesotans live in a rental unit. Even as it turns warmer, for sale signs are hard to come by in the Twin Cities, especially at an affordable price point. Over the last few years, rising mortgage rates have contributed to the decline in housing affordability, while home prices have skyrocketed largely due to a lack of supply. Rents have fared much better. "What's interesting here in the Twin Cities is that the rental rate increase over the last couple of years, has only been about 1% per year," said Mike Kaeding, CEO of Norhart. Norhart designs, builds, and rents apartments. Kaeding says compared to inflation, rents have actually come down, keeping potential homebuyers out of the market. I think a lot of smart people are taking the time to rent now, position themselves well so that in a year to two, they can be better positioned to buy," said Kaeding. The average monthly rent in the Twin Cities metro is now $1,669 versus an average monthly mortgage payment of $2,638, a difference of $969 or 58.1%, according to Bankrate. That gap is up 4.3% compared to last year. "It's simply financial. It's very hard to build at a lower price point because the cost of construction is pretty high," said Kaeding. "For us to combat this we need to produce more units," said Elfric Porte, director of housing, policy & development for the city of Minneapolis. Porte says the current conditions also create challenges for the city. Since 2018, Minneapolis has invested nearly $365 million to expand housing options and address homelessness through a variety of projects. More than half of low-income renter households in Minneapolis live in unsubsidized housing. The city has worked to preserve more than 2,800 naturally occurring affordable units allowing developers to acquire those properties. "In exchange, those developers make those units affordable to households at 50 percent or 60 percent of the area median income for up to 30 years," explained Porte. No matter your price point or location in the metro, Kaeding doesn't expect the wide gap between renting and owning to last. "I don't see that continuing over the next year or two, so take advantage of it, while it's here," he said. You can learn more about the city of Minneapolis' affordable housing efforts here.
