[jorian]

Low oil prices def effect my business. As a commercial mortgage broker I do deals across Canada. In 2013-2014 about 75% of my deals were in or involved security in Alberta. It used to be the economic engine of Canada.

Alberta has an oil dependant economy and the low prices render refining/exploration/capital projects cost prohibitive. At $100/BBL there is decent margin in the business. At $50, not so much. Many companies are curtailing activities there.

Consequently lenders are worried about a projects ability to pay and the liquidity of the security should they have to foreclose. We have a couple of deals in the shop that would have been easily funded when oil was $100.

Like every business it is cyclical so it's only a matter of time that Alberta comes roaring back.