Economic Indicators

Promises, promises: NDP borrows Liberal policy

Another day on the election trail and the pickings are slim on the financial planning front. The Conservatives appear to have switched to the social agenda, promising once again to scrap the long gun registry. The Liberals took Sunday to recap their agenda on education, family care, and strengthening pensions. Speaking of pensions, the NDP […]

By Staff |April 4, 2011

2 min read

Economic Indicators

Despite hiring rebound, Americans downbeat on jobs

Consumer confidence may be on the rise in the U.S., but almost half of Americans believe it is more difficult now to find employment than it was a year ago, according to results from the March RBC Consumer Outlook Index. According to the index, which surveyed more than 1,000 Americans, 49% believe job hunting is […]

By Staff |April 1, 2011

2 min read

Economic Indicators

Promises, promises: Déjà vu all over again

Friday was rehash day on the campaign trail, with all parties reminding the populace of programs they have already promised. The Conservatives trotted out six measures that were in the March 22 budget, including: The Liberals expanded on their previously announced family care plan, pledging $1 billion a year to fund: Speaking of healthcare, the […]

By Staff |April 1, 2011

1 min read

Economic Indicators

Promises, promises: Trade pair, daycare, clean air

After a poor showing on Wednesday, the Conservatives came out swinging again on Thursday, promising if they were elected, the party would complete free trade deals with India and the European Union. The party pointed out that during its tenure at the helm, new free trade agreements have been signed with eight countries and that […]

By Staff |March 31, 2011

2 min read

Promises, promises: NDP sneak attack!

Wow! Who expected the NDP to score a pro-business point in this campaign derby? Talk about coming out of left field! The New Democratic Party (NDP) has rolled out its tax plan, promising to cut the small business tax rate from 11% to 9%, saying the move would not only create jobs but also create […]

By Staff |March 30, 2011

2 min read

Business sector to lead growth

As government consider restraint and consumers curb spending, Canada’s business sector will take charge as the leading source of growth in the Canadian economy, says a report from CIBC World Markets Inc. Canadian businesses, says the report, are set to invest in productivity gains and explore export opportunities in emerging markets. “By any measure, the […]

2 min read

Promises, promises: Education, EI, credit cards

Election promises continued on Tuesday. This time it was the Liberals rolling out the big money programs with a $1-billion post-secondary education plan. Under the Liberals’ Canadian Learning Passport, every high school graduate headed to university, college or CÉGEP would receive $1,000 per year over four years, tax free. For students from low-income families, that […]

By Staff |March 29, 2011

2 min read

Japan’s crisis energizes commodity markets

Commodity prices have started to shake off the negative impact of Japan’s tragedy as reconstruction efforts get underway, according to a Scotiabank Report. Global energy markets stand to gain as Japan turns to imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil to offset the shortfall in its nuclear capacity, the report said. “Re-construction in Japan […]

3 min read

Currency, not credit, the big risk in European bonds

Canadian investors in global bonds should keep an eye on recent events in Europe, but they shouldn’t lose sleep over the U.K. budget or the fall of Portugal’s government, according to fixed income experts. However bond pundits admit that tight fiscal policies are a negative for currencies. “The bad news is that historically when you […]

3 min read