I have been helping a client try to find retail space and can attest to the challenge of finding commercial space here in Edmonton. The latest statistics from Stats Can show significant year-over-year increases:

The East-West divide in economic activity in the country is now most evident in non-residential building. All the Western provinces posted gains in October in this sector, and year-over-year increases were just over 25% in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Commercial construction led growth, especially in Alberta where the office vacancy rate was near zero. Via The Daily

As I drive around south Edmonton, entire new business parks have sprung up seemingly overnight.