A recent pilot project from City Hall has once again cast a spotlight on the hotly contested issue of secondary suites in Calgary. One of Mayor Naheed Nenshi's major talking points during his 2010 campaign, the citywide legalization of secondary suites, remains an unrealized goal as the Mayor comes to the end of his term.

Although city council agreed in April to allow the suites in all new neighbourhoods, it's unlikely such a move will make much of a dent in Calgary's hot rental market.

With economic growth and job creation supporting housing demand in the province, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is predicting more good news for Alberta's housing market.

According to CMHC's third quarter 2012 Housing Market Outlook, sales, prices and starts are in the province are all predicted to increase over the next year.

Despite slower growth and a global economic downturn, the Calgary Chamber is predicting Calgary and Alberta will continue to lead the country in economic growth in 2013.

"The risks of a global downturn are now higher than they've been since 2008," said Calgary Chamber chief economist Ben Brunnen. "But despite the weakened global economy, Calgary and Alberta will continue to be the envy of the country in the year ahead."

With the release of the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card, drinking water was the class troublemaker receiving the poorest ranking.

The report card assesses the condition of infrastructure in four categories: drinking water, wastewater, storm water and municipal roads.