Dilnoor Panjwani Awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal
By A Correspondent
Dilnoor Panjwani was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contributions to Canada. Dilnoor has diligently strived to build community resilience to natural disaster through advocating and mainstreaming risk reduction initiatives locally and abroad. Dilnoor's humanitarian, academic and practitioner (NGO) contributions including research, fieldwork, and capacity building in earthquake-stricken Haiti, tsunami-affected Indonesia, hazard-prone Tajikistan, and flood-devastated areas of Pakistan.
Swoony Loonie
By Peter G. Hall *
Vice-President and Chief Economist EDC
Stable is not a word that can be used to describe much in today's economy. A notable exception is the Canadian dollar. The loonie has soared in a reasonably tight range around parity with the US dollar for 3 years now. Although exporters would prefer a lower level, the stability has made activity and cash flows somewhat more predictable. Now, the loonie is losing some loft; what's happening?
Canada - US Harmonizing Border Security, Immigration Measures
By Dana Gabriel *
The U.S. and Canada have made significant progress in advancing the Beyond the Border deal and continue to implement various perimeter security initiatives. Without much fanfare, they have signed an immigration agreement that would allow them to share biographic and at a later date, biometric information. As part of a North American security perimeter, both countries are further harmonizing border security and immigration measures. Canada is further taking on U.S. security priorities and this could include a bigger role in the war on terrorism.
A Tale of Two Housing Markets
By Peter G. Hall *
Vice-President and Chief Economist EDC
Few barometers of economic activity say as much as housing data. They usually give ample warning of recessions. Housing sales and construction activity is typically as good at predicting recovery. The prescience of these data speak to the deep linkages the housing sector has to the broader economy. As such, when these data shift in a big way, it pays to pay attention.
Oil Price Differential A Self-Inflicted Injury
By Jim Stanford *
There are many reasons to doubt a national economic strategy premised centrally on digging out non-renewable resources, and selling them off to foreigners as quickly as possible. But one of the most irrational aspects of the recent energy boom has been its perverse impact on export revenues. In essence, the faster we extract bitumen and export it, the cheaper it gets. Our regulatory system gives each individual company free reign to export as much as possible, as fast as possible. But the resulting export surge drives down the overall price. That perversely undermines each producer’s revenue, and squanders the public interest in maximizing the value of non-renewable resources.
Liberals Call for Action to End Economic Barriers in Canada
By A Correspondent
The Conservative government must take concrete steps in Budget 2013 to restore Canada’s competitiveness, such as those outlined in today’s report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said Liberal Finance critic Scott Brison on February 12.
Canadians Giving Up on the World of Work
By Jim Stanford *
The glaring contrast between employment numbers, and the unemployment rate, was highlighted by Friday’s labour force numbers from Statistics Canada. Paid employment (ie. employees) declined by 46,000. Total employment (including self-employment) fell by 22,000. Yet the unemployment rate fell to 7% — its lowest level since late 2008.
New Asylum System a Success
By A Correspondent
Total savings to taxpayers now estimated at $2 billion
Canada’s new asylum system is already a success after just over two months in operation, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced on February 22.
Making Asylum System Faster and Fairer
By A Correspondent
Second list of Designated Countries of Origin announced
The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, announced on February 14 that the list of Designated Countries of Origin is expanding to include an additional eight countries.
Record Number of Visitor Visas Issued
By A Correspondent
Close to 1 million Visitor Visas Approved
Canada issued a record number of visitor visas in 2012 with almost 1 million visas approved, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, announced on February 20.
Overseas Orientation Program Celebrates 20,000 Graduates
By A Correspondent
More than 20,000 people are arriving in Canada better prepared for the labour market, thanks to the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney announced on February 12.
“Our Government is committed to helping newcomers succeed” said Minister Kenney at an event celebrating the graduates.
