The question

How is a xeriscape different from other landscapes?

The answer

To xeriscape is to put plants with similar needs – all sun, all shade, etc. – together. Xeriscapes are also always drought-tolerant. In practical terms, this means that, after a good watering, they can survive for about a week before needing more hydration.

The question

What’s the best kind of soil for a xeric garden?

The answer

Sandy soil, plus some compost, is ideal. Add horticultural grit to heavier soil with a lot of clay.

The question

How do you plan and lay out a xeriscape?

The answer

First, establish a tabula rasa, eliminating all obstructions except natural elements such as large rocks, which can serve as anchors and defining features. All of the plants in xeriscapes need welldrained soil, so, second, backfill the space you are going to use with ordinary, fairly sandy soil. If you have clay, excavate to about 20 centimetres deep, add masses of compost and horticultural grit and make sure it drains quickly. (To ensure drainage is good, make a hole in the area you are planting, dump a bucket of water into the hole and see how long it takes to seep down.) Finally, lay out plants in pleasing combos or waves, keeping their heights and spreads in mind. Fill in blank spaces with ground cover or a stone/gravel mulch.

The question

Once it’s in place, how do you water a xeric garden properly?

The answer

The best system, if there is no rain, is to water by hand, once a week and deeply. Alternatively, install a basic drip system and turn it on only when the plants really need to be watered – that is, when there has been a long break between rain showers.

Article source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/gardening/want-a-high-impact-low-fuss-garden-try-xeriscaping/article11914804/?cmpid=rss1

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) - The Competition Bureau filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal today, seeking to overturn the Competition Tribunal’s ruling in the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) matter.

The Bureau believes that the Tribunal’s ruling was based on an overly narrow interpretation of section 79 of the Competition Act – the “abuse of dominance” provision. The Tribunal ruled that TREB, as an incorporated trade association, does not compete with its own members in the real estate brokerage market and therefore cannot be found to have contravened the abuse of dominance provision.

“Allowing the Tribunal’s finding to stand could leave a significant loophole in the application of the Competition Act,” said Interim Commissioner of Competition John Pecman. “While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the Tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition.”

With more than 35,000 members, TREB is the largest real estate board in Canada. It owns and operates the Toronto Multiple Listing Service system, which contains current property listings and historical information about residential real estate purchases and sales in Toronto and the surrounding area. In May 2011, the Bureau filed an application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit TREB’s rules that restrict how its member agents provide information to customers, such as previous listings and previous sale prices, thereby denying agents the ability to introduce new and innovative real estate brokerage services using the Internet. The Competition Tribunal heard the case in 2012.

“We believe that the Competition Tribunal erred in dismissing our application and in not ruling on the facts of the case,” added Pecman. “It is our view that TREB’s anti-competitive behaviour continues to restrict potential homebuyers and sellers from taking advantage of a greater range of service and pricing options when making one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives.”

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

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Article source: http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=22303

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AP Video

Published
Thursday, May. 16 2013, 11:33 AM EDT

Last updated
Thursday, May. 16 2013, 11:34 AM EDT

Article source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/technology-video/video-the-new-smart-house-from-door-locks-to-coffee-makers/article11959398/?cmpid=rss1

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The Competition Bureau said Tuesday it will appeal a Competition Tribunal decision to dismiss a complaint against the Toronto Real Estate Board over rules that restrict how member agents provide information to customers.

The bureau said it has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the tribunal’s decision, contending it was based on an overly narrow interpretation of the Competition Act.

In May 2011, the bureau tried to prohibit Toronto Real Estate Board rules that restrict how its members provide information to customers, including previous listings and previous sale prices.
However, the real estate board argued it was bound to respect the contractual and private information of consumers.

The tribunal dismissed the complaint earlier this year.

“While most trade associations comply with the Competition Act, we are concerned that, if the tribunal’s decision is left to stand, trade associations may be tempted to develop rules aimed at preventing or eliminating potential new forms of competition,” said John Pecman, interim commissioner of competition.

The Toronto Real Estate Board is the largest real estate board in Canada.

Canadian Press

Article source: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/05/14/competition-bureau-appeals-toronto-real-estate-board-decision/

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Toronto, Canada — (SBWIRE) — 05/16/2013 — In addition to being Toronto’s Real Estate Authority, Chris Allen is a veteran, mentor, philanthropist and has started a special program called the “Toronto Success Series,” where he interviews and speaks with successful Toronto natives about their lives and businesses.

“This is a way for me to engage and share with my community and help those who think certain parts of life are outside of their reach to achieve their highest goals,” said Allen.

His most recent interview was with the President of Mellow Walk footwear, Andrew Violi.

Mellow Walk is a Toronto-area business specializing in work shoes for men and women that emphasize safety and comfort.

Allen chose this company because of its small family business approach, proudly Canadian made and sold, and the fact it got its start like so many other businesses.

“It was a struggle to get going like any business, but Mellow Walk stayed with it. This is the lessons I want to share with the people of Toronto through my Success Series and show how they too can become something greater. In this interview Andrew shares some of the struggles the company has faced in the challenging Ontario manufacturing sector and how they have overcome the odds to build a better business and a superior product,” Allen added.

Allen is always looking for another top-notch entrepreneur or local in the Toronto area to interview for his program.

“I want anyone who is a successful business owner, ‘A’ player or someone who has done some great duty for Toronto or Canada to contact me. I wish to sit, chat and learn more while allowing their trials and successes to be shared with my contacts and other philanthropies. It is a way we can jointly give back to Toronto,” said Allen.

Allen can be reached at his office, via email or on the Slavens and Associates Real Estate website.

To learn more about Mellow Walk Footwear visit www.MellowWalk.com

To learn more about Chris Allen, his real estate program or to read his blog, visit www.allenestates.ca.

Contact: Chris Allen
Slavens Associates RE inc.
Phone 416.483.4337
435 Eglinton Ave W
Toronto On, M5N 1A4
chris@allenestates.ca

Article source: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/realtor-chris-allen-interviews-new-toronto-native-for-his-success-series-252023.htm

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Real Estate

Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust Announces May 2013 Distribution
(2013-05-16)

Avis aux médias : Nouveaux logements abordables à Vaughan
(2013-05-16)

Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust Reports on Voting Results from 2013 Annual and Special Meeting of Unitholders
(2013-05-15)

CAPREIT Acquires Unique Lakeshore Apartment Portfolio in West Toronto
(2013-05-15)

Leisureworld Announces May Dividend
(2013-05-15)

Chartwell Retirement Residences Announces May 2013 Distribution
(2013-05-15)

Chartwell Agrees to Sell Seven Non-Core U.S. Properties
(2013-05-15)

Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation Reports 2013 First Quarter Results
(2013-05-15)

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust Announces May 2013 Distribution
(2013-05-15)

Commercial Mortgage Origination Exceeds $32.5B; Outstanding Mortgages Top $170B in 2012 CMLS Financial Commercial Market Survey
(2013-05-14)

Real Estate Channel Juwai.com Partnership to Assist Agents Access Chinese Buyers
(2013-05-14)

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust Announces Monthly Cash Distribution
(2013-05-14)

Extendicare Announces Voting Results from the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
(2013-05-13)

Dundee REIT Renews Normal Course Issuer Bid
(2013-05-13)

Dundee Industrial REIT and C2C Industrial Properties Inc. Announce Take-Up of Common Shares Under Offer to Acquire Common Shares of C2C Industrial Properties Inc.
(2013-05-13)

Royal Host Inc. Announces First Quarter Results
(2013-05-13)

Royal Host Inc. Announces Proposal to Amend Terms of Its Series D Debentures Due June 30, 2014 and Its Series B Debentures Due October 31, 2015
(2013-05-13)

InterRent REIT Results for the First Quarter of 2013 and a 25% Increase in the Monthly Distribution
(2013-05-13)

InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust Announces Monthly Distribution
(2013-05-13)

LCTI Low Carbon Technologies International Subsidiaries Continue to Enter Into New Energy Efficiency
(2013-05-13)

Local Seniors Invited to Audition for National Talent Competition
(2013-05-13)

InnVest REIT Reports First Quarter Results and Agreement to Sell Two Properties
(2013-05-10)

Les gouvernements du Canada et de l’Ontario soulignent la création de nouveaux logements abordables à Toronto
(2013-05-10)

Chartwell Encourages Unitholders to Vote at Unitholder Meeting and Provides Additional Information Regarding Proposed Amendments to Its Long Term Incentive Plan
(2013-05-10)

Conseils pour économiser l’eau et l’énergie dans votre appartement ou copropriété
(2013-05-09)

Melcor Reports Strong Results for Q1-13, Declares Dividend of $0.25 Per Share, Announces Special Dividend of $0.50 Per Share
(2013-05-09)

C.A. Bancorp Inc. Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results
(2013-05-09)

Zaio Corporation Announces Private Placement
(2013-05-09)

Fortis Inc. Announces Voting Results for the Election of Directors
(2013-05-09)

Extendicare Announces Retirement of Doug Harris as CFO Former CFO Mark Durishan to Fill in on Interim Basis
(2013-05-09)

Extendicare Announces 2013 First Quarter Results and Intent to Separate Canadian and U.S. Businesses
(2013-05-09)

Avis aux médias : Nouveaux logements abordables à Toronto
(2013-05-09)

TDZ HOLDINGS INC.-Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(2013-05-09)

Artis Announces Closing of Previously Announced Equity Offering for Gross Proceeds of $172.5 Million
(2013-05-09)

Energy-and Water-Saving Tips for Your Apartment or Condo
(2013-05-09)

Article source: http://dcnonl.com/nw/33772/cb

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Toronto’s housing market shows no sign of warming up as summer nears, with May home sales falling nearly 10 percent year-over-year, but prices moved up more than five percent.

The number of sales in the first two weeks of May were down 9.7 percent from the same time last year in the Greater Toronto Area, falling to just under 4,500, according to data released by the Toronto Real Estate Board.

Sales in the city proper were down a steeper 11.4 percent, compared to an 8.6-percent decline for the surrounding regions.

The sharpest decline in sales came in the townhouse market in the city centre, which were down more than 20 percent. Condo sales were also down sharply, falling more than 13 percent from the same time last year.

Sales of detached homes, meanwhile, were down 7.5 percent.

The average selling price, on the other hand, increased 5.4 percent in the first two weeks of May to $543,838, compared with the same time last year. Prices increased the most for single family homes, rising 5.6 percent.

“Despite fewer sales this year compared to last, competition between buyers in most segments of the market remained strong enough to promote annual rates of price growth above the rate of inflation, ” Toronto Real Estate Board President Ann Hannah said in a statement..

While many commentators believe the country’s housing market, particularly condo markets in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, is on verge of a downturn, Hannah maintains that a household in the GTA earning an average income “can comfortably afford the mortgage payments associated with the purchase of an average priced home.”

National data released on Wednesday showed home sales across the country were up 0.6 percent from the previous month, but were down 3.1 percent from the same period last year.

Some economists said the data underscored their belief that the country is not headed for a U.S.-style housing crash.

“Realizing that it may be a tad premature for victory laps, but evidence continues to mount that the Canadian housing market seems to have pulled off the fabled soft landing,” BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter said in a note to clients.

But Porter added that the 10.1-percent decline in home sales since the beginning of the year may be “more representative” of the current slowdown in the housing market.

Article source: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/5/16/Toronto-home-sales-slump-prices-rise.aspx

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These are stories Report on Business is following Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Follow Michael Babad and the Globe’s top business stories on Twitter.

Toronto home sales sink
Toronto home sales sank 9.7 per cent in the first two weeks of May from levels of a year earlier, marking a setback at this point from April’s better showing.

Sales in the Greater Toronto Area fell to 4,476, while prices held up. The condo market, which has been a focus of concern, was particularly hard hit.

The drop in sales was greater in the city proper than in the surrounding area, at 11.4 per cent and 8.6, respectively, the Toronto Real Estate Board said today.

Sales of detached homes fell 7.5 per cent, while condo sales tumbled 13 per cent.

It’s a reading of just two weeks, but one that’s disappointing given that sales fell by just 2 per cent in April, ending a string of sharp declines and pointing to a better spring market.

In the first two weeks of April, sales dipped by less than 1 per cent from a year earlier, though there was an extra selling day because Good Friday fell earlier.

Still, the average selling price rose 5.4 per cent to $543,838 from a year earlier.

“Despite fewer sales this year compared to last, competition between buyers in most segments of the market remained strong enough to promote annual rates of price growth above the rate of inflation,” said Ann Hannah, the group’s president.

“A household earning the average income in the GTA can comfortably afford the mortgage payments associated with the purchase of an average priced home.”

Average prices for detached homes climbed 5.6 per cent to $682,451, while condo prices gained 1.1 per cent.

As The Globe and Mail’s Tara Perkins reports, Canada-wide numbers released yesterday point to a soft landing in the country’s real estate sector, with sales down just 3 per cent from a year earlier.

• Signs of spring – and a soft landing – in Canadian real estate
• David Parkinson in Economy Lab: In Canada’s housing market, the other shoe has already dropped
• House price gains expected to dip to lowest since 2009
• Flaherty’s concerns throw 30-year mortgages in spotlight again
• Vancouver home resales down 6.1% in April from year ago
• GTA home resales fall only 2% in April in wake of steep declines
• Why is the man who bet against U.S. housing so worried about Canada?
• Peter Munk’s contrarian bet on Toronto’s condo market

Telus seeks to acquire Mobilicity
One of Canada’s major phone companies is seeking to swallow one of the country’s troubled upstarts.

Telus Corp. said today it has struck a deal to acquire Mobilicity for $380-million, subject to approval by antitrust and other regulators, as well as the latter’s debt holders.

All of the funds will go toward paying the smaller company’s debt.

Mobilicity was one of the wireless carriers that launched amid attempts by the government to spark more competition in the industry.

“A concern for our customers and employees led us to approach Telus, which has a reputation for a strong customer focus, as evidenced by their industry leading client loyalty,” Mobilicity president Stewart Lyons said in a statement.

“I am confident Telus will look after our employees and our customers, mitigating any disruption to their service, while offering the best outcome for all stakeholders.”

• Mobilicity finds white knight in Telus, seeks quick approval

Japan’s economy shoots ahead
Japan’s economic growth of 3.5 per cent, annualized, in the first quarter of the year suggests Abenomics is beginning to have an impact, at least in terms of consumer confidence.

Fresh statistics from Japan’s Cabinet Office today showed a surge in growth, pumped by consumer spending and the country’s traditional export strength.

While early days, the numbers suggest Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s program, backed up by the Bank of Japan, is working.

While the government maintains its efforts are aimed at juicing the economy, the yen has tumbled, helping the country’s exporters. Japanese stocks have surged in response.

“It would be over-interpreting these data to suggest they are evidence that Abenomics is already paying dividends – the fiscal easing and shift in BoJ policy won’t be felt until Q2,” said Adam Cole of RBC Europe.

“But the rise in consumption in the quarter, which accounted for around half of the rise in GDP, almost certainly did benefit from improved consumer confidence and higher equity prices.”

• Japan’s growth spurt shows early benefits of Abe’s policy gamble

Gold price sinks
Gold prices slipped again today, holding below $1,400 (U.S.) an ounce, as reports showed demand slumping and more key players cutting back.

Global demand for gold fell in value terms fell in the first quarter of the year to $51-billion, down 23 per cent from the final quarter of 2012, the World Gold Council said today.

In volume terms, demand fell 19 per cent.

That came before the April rout that drove prices down sharply into bear market territory, leading some analysts to suggest that the long run in bullion had ended.

At the same time, the average price slipped 5 per cent to $1,632 an ounce.

Also today, reports showed George Soros cutting his holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust in the first quarter of the year, also before the massive hit. Others big players have also pared their interests.

“Gold-backed ETFs, which made up 6 per cent of gold demand in 2012, have some some holders, primarily in the U.S., collect profits and move into equities,” said Marcus Grubb, the managing director of investment at the World Gold Council, said in a statement, though this has been “balanced” by a 10-per-cent increase from the same period a year earlier in investments in gold bars and coins.

• Scott Barlow in ROB Insight (for subscribers): Sorry, gold bugs, Fed has no effect on money supply: economist
• Also for subscribers: Stress mounts for precious metals investors

How can I get a job like Mike Duffy’s?
I can’t. You can’t either.

So the only thing to do is rewrite the rules for private business to bring them more into line with those of the public sector, keeping in mind the bar set by Nigel Wright, the PMO chief of staff, in giving Senator Mike Duffy more than $90,000 to repay improper government expense claims.

Let’s build on these:

Wages, benefits and social insurance
Old version: The U.S. government breaks down hourly compensation in Canada into three parts, wages and salaries, social insurance and directly-paid benefits, the latter including vacation pay, allowances for commuting and family events, and “seasonal and irregular” bonuses.

New version: Bonuses can now be as “irregular” as we want them to be.

Pay periods
Old version: The U.S. government stipulates that bonuses and premiums will paid each pay period.

New version: There are now 24 months in a year.

Signing bonus
Old version: A one-time payment of $100,000.

New version: A one-time payment of $100,000 and a written guarantee that the boss’s executive assistant will bail you out if you get into trouble.

Non-compete clause
New version: If the boss’s executive assistant doesn’t have the funds readily available, you can’t go to the CFO. For at least a year.

Cost-of-living allowance
Old version: Hourly wage will rise by 25 cents for every percentage point increase in the consumer price index.

New version: With inflation tame, should the consumer price index actually fall,  it’s one thing you don’t have to pay back.

Housing allowance
New version: Have as many as you want. And travel to each one as many times as you want.

Confidentiality clause
New version: Don’t tell Pamela Wallin we gave you the money.

• Ethics watchdog to review Harper aide’s $90,000 gift to Duffy
• Globe Editorial: A strange, $90,000 gift to the underserving Senator Duffy

Streetwise (for subscribers)

• Infrastructure still the hot sector for private equity
• Global body revisiting the rules for credit default swaps

Economy Lab

• Central bank moves working, but return to normal could be bumpy: Economists
• Respect is key to aboriginal approval of Northern Gateway pipeline

ROB Insight (for subscribers)

• Oil-fixing probe risks further muddying the waters
• Should the Bank of Canada raise rates before the Fed?

Business ticker

• Alcoa to downsize Quebec smelter, cut 500 jobs
• Canada Pension Plan fund earns 10.1 per cent returns
• Glencore Xstrata brings in former BP boss as chairman ousted
• SP downgrades Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway
• U.S. jobless claims jump in warning sign for labour market
• U.S. inflation falls by most in four years on gas-price drop
• Food costs lead Canadians to shop around, cut back: study
• Wal-Mart profit misses Street on weak U.S. sales
• Cooling prices, falling imports highlight euro zone’s malais

TELUS Corp.

5 Year Performance

Add T-T to your Watchlist

• T-T
• GC-FT

More Discussion on T-T

More Discussion on GC-FT

Article source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/toronto-home-sales-sink-97-in-early-may-condos-tumble-13/article11960360/

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New listings were up three per cent, year over year, said Jason Mercer, senior analyst for TREB, who pointed to Toronto’s land transfer tax, and relatively higher house prices, for the fact sales have been slumping more in the city than the suburbs the last few months.

Article source: http://www.thestar.com/business/real_estate/2013/05/16/toronto_home_sales_slump_10_per_cent_in_midmay_but_prices_continue_to_climb.html

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TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 16, 2013) – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 4,476 transactions through the TorontoMLS system during the first 14 days of May. This result represented a decline of 9.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2012. Sales declines were larger for the City of Toronto, at 11.4 per cent, versus the surrounding regions where sales were down by 8.6 per cent year-over-year.

“Despite fewer sales this year compared to last, competition between buyers in most segments of the market remained strong enough to promote annual rates of price growth above the rate of inflation. A household earning the average income in the GTA can comfortably afford the mortgage payments associated with the purchase of an average priced home,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Ann Hannah.

The average selling price during the first two weeks of May was $543,838 – up by 5.4 per cent in comparison to the same time frame last year. Price growth was strongest for low-rise home types, but positive price growth for condo apartments in the City of Toronto was also reported.

“Continuing the prevailing trend over the last year, the low-rise segment of the market drove overall price growth during the first half of May, as months of inventory remained below historic norms for key home types,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Summary of TorontoMLS Sales and Average Price – May 1 – 14

2013

2012

Sales

Average Price

New Listings

Sales

Average Price

New Listings
City of Toronto (“416″)
1,685

$594,789

3,499

1,901

$573,137

3,767
Rest of GTA (“905″)
2,791

$513,077

5,661

3,054

$480,578

5,089
GTA
4,476

$543,838

9,160

4,955

$516,089

8,856

TorontoMLS Sales Average Price By Home Type – May 1 – 14, 2013

Sales

Average Price

416

905

Total

416

905

Total

Detached
626

1,618

2,244

855,334

615,563

682,451

Yr./Yr. % Change
-6.7
%
-7.8
%
-7.5
%
2.0
%
7.5
%
5.6
%
Semi-Detached
202

302

504

630,984

414,835

501,466

Yr./Yr. % Change
-6.0
%
-7.6
%
-7.0
%
5.5
%
3.2
%
4.5
%
Townhouse
181

511

692

457,666

384,298

403,489

Yr./Yr. % Change
-21.3
%
-9.6
%
-13.0
%
-2.3
%
7.1
%
3.3
%
Condo Apartment
661

281

942

377,341

285,851

350,050

Yr./Yr. % Change
-13.6
%
-11.6
%
-13.0
%
2.1
%
-1.4
%
1.1
%

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They are governed by a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Over 36,000 TREB Members serve consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.

Get the latest real estate news and Market Watch information including market watch summary video.

Article source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1251789

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