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Crash Expert: “This Looks Like 1929” → 71,105 Diversifying Here
Mark Spitznagel, who made $1B in a single day during the 2015 flash crash, warned markets are mimicking 1929. Seems extreme but we did just see the worst quarter for the S&P since 2022.
So it’s not so surprising that Vanguard and Goldman Sachs forecasted 5% and 3% annual S&P returns respectively for 2024-2034.
Late last year, Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok put it this way: "expect zero in return in the S&P 500 over the coming decade."
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And sure… billionaires like Bezos can make headlines at auction, but what about the rest of us?
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29 exits. Net annualized returns like 16.5%, 17.6%, and 17.8% on works held over 1 year+. $1.3 billion invested. 500+ offerings.*
Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but…
*According to Masterworks data. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd.
Hi Edmonton, Happy Saturday!
The verdict you have been waiting for in the Kache Grist case is in, and it is a heavy one. We have Prime Minister Carney weighing in on what Alberta means to this country, your Netflix and Apple TV getting a brand new Canadian bill, and some genuinely good news on the Ebola front to close the week. Pour yourself something warm and let us get into it.💛
She Was Found Guilty
An Edmonton judge has found Crystal MacDonald guilty of criminal negligence causing death after her two Cane Corsos killed 11-year-old Kache Grist at her south Edmonton home in April 2024.
Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin said MacDonald was evasive and cavalier throughout the trial, blaming everyone but herself for her dogs' long history of violence.
Before Kache's death, the dogs had already killed a dog, killed a cat and injured two adults, including MacDonald herself. Each dog weighed over 50 kg.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 2026.
Edmonton has been watching this case since the day it happened. How are you feeling about today's verdict?
Follow-up to Issues 69, 72 and 78.
⚡ Edmonton's Power Grid Is Getting Its Biggest Upgrade in Years
EPCOR is breaking ground this summer on a brand new substation and transmission lines in northeast Edmonton, one of the largest power grid projects the city has seen in years.
The $398 million project near Fort Road and the Yellowhead Freeway has been approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission and is expected to wrap up in 2029.
The upgrade will significantly boost electricity capacity for the northeast corridor as the city grows.
Most customers will see their monthly bill increase by roughly $0.25 during peak construction periods.
If you live or work in northeast Edmonton, this project is headed to your neighbourhood. Are you curious about the construction timeline?
Edmonton Gets a New Centre for People in Mental Health and Drug Crisis
The Edmonton Police Service and Recovery Alberta are opening a new Integrated Stabilization Centre to give people experiencing drug or mental health crises somewhere to land other than the emergency room.
EPS officers can use temporary holding powers to bring in people who are in public disorder but face no criminal charges, connecting them with care rather than jail.
The centre offers immediate safety, medical assessment and connection to ongoing recovery services.
EPS and the province spent eight months developing the plan together before announcing it Friday.
Drug deaths in Edmonton hit near-record levels in 2025. Is this the kind of response you want to see from the city?
Carney to Alberta: You Are at the Centre of Making Canada Better
Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to Premier Smith's referendum announcement Friday with a clear message: Alberta is essential to Canada's future and the two governments are building together, not apart.
"Canada is the greatest country in the world, but it can be better. We're working with Alberta on making it better," Carney said from Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
He also acknowledged the referendum could dent investor confidence: "It can, yeah. It can have an effect."
Conservative Leader Poilievre and Liberal MP Corey Hogan both said they will campaign for a united Canada in the fall vote.
This country-defining conversation is happening right here in Alberta. Where do you stand on a Saturday morning?
Follow-up to Issue 79.
Canada Just Told Netflix and Apple TV to Pay Up
Canada's broadcast regulator has ordered major streaming platforms to direct 15 percent of their Canadian revenues toward Canadian content production, tripling the previous requirement.
Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon and other major streamers are all captured by the new CRTC ruling, which is part of the Online Streaming Act.
The Motion Picture Association called the rules "unprecedented and discriminatory." The US ambassador to Canada said it was "making a bad situation worse" as a trade irritant.
Canadian performers and production workers celebrated the decision as long overdue.
Every Edmonton household paying for a streaming service is part of this story now. Hit or miss?
The Ebola Scare Is Over. Canada Is Still Watching.
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer confirmed Friday that the Ontario traveller tested for Ebola after returning from Ethiopia has come back negative, ending a tense few days of concern.
Enhanced Ebola screening is now in place at all major Canadian airports, asking additional questions of travellers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The passenger aboard the Air France flight diverted to Montreal on Wednesday was assessed as asymptomatic and has since returned home.
WHO says the Bundibugyo strain outbreak in Congo is spreading rapidly with a very high risk at the national level in Africa. The US has already imposed a travel ban.
Canada handled this one well. Were you keeping an eye on this story this week?
Follow-up to Issue 79. Dr. Reimer also confirmed no new hantavirus cases in Canada. The lone confirmed BC patient is recovering.
Oil Posts a Weekly Loss as Iran and the US Signal Progress on a Deal
Oil prices are on pace for their first weekly drop in weeks as US and Iranian negotiators signal movement in peace talks, easing some of the pressure that has pushed Brent crude into triple digits.
The main sticking points remain Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and its push to charge shipping vessels a fee to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which Secretary of State Rubio called "not acceptable."
Brent crude has pulled back from recent highs, though energy executives warn full supply normalization may not happen until 2027.
Alberta royalty revenues track directly with Brent prices. Any real deal would have an immediate effect on provincial finances.
If a deal finally closes, what does that mean for Alberta in your view?
Follow-up to Issue 79.
YOUR TURN 💌
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆5° higher than historical avg, Night ⬆3° higher than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather - Saturday May 23th
A chilly one to close the week in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Expect a high of -2°C with partly cloudy skies and a 40 percent chance of scattered flurries in the afternoon. Bundle up if you are heading out since the wind makes it feel closer to -10°C.
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📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
Saturday May 23
🌸 Beaumont Days 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 23 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Beaumont
Beaumont’s three-day community celebration.
🌸 Rainmaker Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 23 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 St. Albert
A family-friendly festival with activities and local programming.
🌸 Carmina Burana 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 23 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Winspear Centre, Edmonton
A concert performance at the Winspear.
🌸 Salsa in the Square 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 23 · ⏰ 6:00 PM–8:00 PM · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Free downtown salsa lessons and social dancing.
May 24
🌸 Northern Bricks Expo 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 24 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Edmonton area
A LEGO expo with builds, vendors, and activities.
🌸 Petting Zoo Fun at Callingwood 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 24 · ⏰ 1:00 PM–4:00 PM · 📍 Marketplace at Callingwood, Edmonton
A free family activity with animals, face painting, and bouncy castles.
🌸 Blindman’s Dream Waves Tie-Dye Patio Party 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 24 · ⏰ 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · 📍 The Sherlock Holmes Pub Downtown, Edmonton
A patio event with tie-dye and beer.
Farmers’ markets
🌸 Bountiful Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 22–24 · ⏰ Fri–Sun · 📍 3696 97 Street NW, Edmonton
Open throughout the full weekend.
`🌸 Downtown Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 May 24 · ⏰ Saturday hours · 📍 104 Street, Edmonton
Downtown market promotion indicates the market is back for the season
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This or That
It's a May Saturday and Edmonton is calling.
How are you spending it?
A. Couch day. Streaming marathon. Earned. 🛋️
OR
B. Out at the farmers market, the pool or somewhere that is not inside. ☀️
Drop your pick in the comments and tell us your Saturday plan!