Located at 1110 1st Street SW, the offices of TransAlta Utilities stretch along 12th Ave for a block. We are standing on 1st St looking northeast, and behind us is the entrance to the Holiday Inn.

Further to our right on Centre Street is the traditional casual labour market known as "cash corner". It's a little disconcerting at first when you see groups of mostly men standing on the sidewalk, eyeing the traffic. But they are waiting for contractors's vehicles to come by to select workers for short-term projects. Although we are sure everyone files the correct tax return, the popular name stems from the common practice of paying the workers in cash. (back)