During the 1990s and early 2000s, a wave of new golf course development swept across Canada, with many of these courses serving as centrepieces for residential communities. Since then, that growth has slowed as golf's popularity has waned. Some of those courses are now closing, opening prime real estate that, in many cases, is being redeveloped into new subdivisions.

The result has been a boon for builders and homebuyers, as land becomes available for new residential development within desirable, well-established communities. However, it has also created resentment among long-time residents of these neighbourhoods, who originally purchased their homes with the golf course as a major selling point.

Energy panel weighs in on the nuts and bolts of the controversial carbon tax

Alberta's carbon tax is one of the most important policy changes in the province's recent history. How Alberta adapts to the tax will undoubtedly shape its economic landscape for years to come.

In effect since January, the $20-a-tonne tax remains a highly contentious topic from both economic and environmental perspectives. Since its implementation, politicians, businesses, and consumers have worried what the additional tax will do to an already fragile Alberta economy and to Albertans.

Some groups, like the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, for example, claim the average household could pay more than $2,500 per year as a result of direct costs, such as household energy use, and indirect costs from increased costs to business operations.