Feb
08
2010
With few exceptions, productivity growth across Canada has been sub-par
It is generally acknowledged that the key to Canada’s longer term economic health is our ability to increase productivity.
Here you will find Candian Articles relating the Market Insights Community.
Feb
04
2010
Top Ten and Trend Graph - January 2010
The accompanying table records the 10 largest construction project starts in Canada in January 2010. Also included is the latest trend graph on starts. This looks at 12-month moving totals of the two major non-residential building categories in Canada − total ICI starts and engineering work. ICI stands for industrial, commercial and institutional. There are several reasons for highlighting upcoming large projects. Such jobs have often received a fair amount of media coverage. Therefore, people in the industry are on the lookout for when job-site work actually gets underway. And, as showcase projects, they highlight geographically where major construction projects are proceeding. Also, total construction activity is comprised of many small and medium-sized projects and a limited number of very large developments. But the largest projects, simply by their nature, can dramatically affect total dollar and square footage volumes. In other words, the timing and size of these projects have an outsize-influence on market forecasts.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Feb
04
2010
International Monetary Fund expects stronger recovery for world and Canada
The International Monetary Fund’s outlook for global economic growth is considerably stronger than it projected just three months ago.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Feb
04
2010
Consumer bankruptcies slowing, business bankruptcies already low
The most recent data on bankruptcies in Canada reflect two sharply contrasting developments.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
27
2010
After weak start to 2010, non-residential construction should start to gain strength
Despite a 3.3% increase in institutional construction in the fourth quarter of 2009, the total value of non-residential construction fell by 2.5%.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
25
2010
Canada’s six most magnetic metro areas for migrants
In a recent study of the 50 largest metro areas in Canada, the Conference Board of Canada found six that had an optimal mix of factors (or magnets) that made them particularly attractive to newcomers, regardless of their place of origin.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
25
2010
The Bank of Canada’s business outlook survey is flashing green for growth in 2010
In its just released Winter 2009-10 Business Outlook Survey, the Bank of Canada reports that the net number of firms expecting sales to improve in the next 12 months remains close to the record high reached in the third quarter of 2009.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
20
2010
Latest inflation rates in U.S. and Canada put pressure on central banks
December 2009 inflation rates have recently been released by government agencies for the U.S. and Canada. For both countries, the month-to-month change was minor, +0.1% in the U.S. and -0.3% in Canada. However, it is the year-over-year figure that gets the headlines and draws the most attention. In the U.S., that number has jumped up to +2.7% from -2.1% just five months before in July. In Canada, it is +1.3% versus -0.8% to -0.9% in July through September of last year. The key question is what impact these inflation rates will have on central bank interest rates.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
18
2010
Expect an older, healthier labour force to retire later
Based on the latest population data, the median age of Canada’s working-age population aged 15 to 64 is now just over 40 years old, 5.5% older than the 39.5 years reached just 10 years ago.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
Jan
13
2010
Why is methane the almost-forgotten greenhouse gas?
In the effort to manage the world’s climate, attention has focused primarily on attempting to reduce the output of carbon dioxide, which is of course ubiquitous.
Posted in
Market Insights,
Economy & Finance,
