Taking Stock with Amanda Lang: Recent Episodes
BNN Bloomberg
A weekly series spotlighting the biggest and most significant news stories affecting the world of business and the economy. Taking Stock with Amanda Lang brings business stories from the global stage to Canadians every week and explains why they matter.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers’ look at how work stoppages hit the Canadian economy. Amanda then digs deeper into the issues with Derrick Hynes, President and CEO of FETCO, and Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work.
Amanda Lang presents a special look at the nuclear energy industry in Canada … beginning with ‘by the numbers’ details on the state of nuclear in this country. Amanda then examines how the federal government can play a role in de-risking the massive upfront investments involved in nuclear with George Christidis, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association
The last three fire seasons in Canada have been among the 10 worst on record, and the country is facing growing wildfire risk as Canada warms at twice as fast as the global average. Amanda Lang speaks with Ryan Ness, Director of adaptation research at the Canadian Climate Institute.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers’ look at attitudes when it comes to ‘buying Canadian’ … then digs into the issues with Dax Dasilva, CEO of Canadian fin tech Lightspeed. Amanda then speaks with Ross Prusakowski, deputy chief economist at EDC, for an update on the changing landscape for Canadian trade.
Amanda Lang presents a special episode on the state of Canadian trade … she begins with a ‘by the numbers’ look at the state of the country’s exports and imports … then discusses how the economy has been faring with Pedro Antunes, chief economist at Signal 49.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses whether stock markets are overdue for a correction with Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses why despite the Bank of Canada keeping interest rates unchanged, mortgage rates may become pricier, with Penelope Graham, Head of Content at Ratehub.Ca
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses whether Canadian companies have been slow to adopt artificial intelligence, potentially leaving huge value on the table, with Jean-Sebastien Charest, chief information officer at BDC.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers’ look at youth employment in Canada … she then discusses how to close the disconnect between young people and employers with Dan Kelly, President & CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses the outlook for home building in Canada, and whether tax incentives will boost the sector, with Kevin Lee, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses the federal government’s job creation strategy with Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses what’s next for the Bank of Canada with Earl Davis, head of fixed income and money markets at BMO Global Asset Management.
After catching you up on some of the big stories of the week, Amanda Lang discusses the trade impact program, which is designed to help exporters cope with new trade barriers and tariffs. $2.1 billion dollars has been deployed - so how are businesses using it? Amanda speaks with
Alison Nankivell, President and CEO of Export Development Canada.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers’ look at the state of the Canadian economy …then discusses the theme of Canada’s two-track economy with Jean-Francois Perrault, chief economist at Scotiabank.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the 'blind spots' many Canadians have with their financial situation with Grant Bazian, President of MNP Ltd.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the challenges rising interest rates present for small and mid-sized businesses with Jeff Brow, Head of Commercial Solutions at Equifax Canada.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the impact the conflict in Iran is having on inflation – and possibly the Bank of Canada’s interest rate policy – with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC.
Amanda Lang tells you what you need to know about what gross domestic product does and doesn’t measure … then discusses whether ‘GDP per capita’ is a good way to assess the economy with Jim Stanford, director of the Centre for Future Work and Mike Moffatt, founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the gap in cities’ ability to pay the cost of ageing infrastructure with Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Amanda Lang begins a special episode on food inflation in Canada with a ‘by the numbers’ look at the cost - and price - of food in this country. Amanda then examines the sources of price pressure on food with Leslie Preston, Senior Economist at TD Bank.
Amanda Lang tells you what you need to know about the week in business news, then discusses the outlook for Canada's economy in 2026 with Dawn Desjardins, Chief Economist at Deloitte Canada.
Amanda Lang begins a special episode on Canada’s economy with a ‘by the numbers’ look at the state of our economy … then discusses where the best opportunities lie for the economy to grow with Andrew DiCapua, principal economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the new threats of trade turmoil for Canada with Ed Devlin, Managing Partner of Devlin Capital.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses Canada ramping up trade with China with Margaret McCuaig Johnston, director of the China Strategic Risks Institute.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses housing affordability – particularly for first-time homebuyers – with John Pasalis, President of Realosophy Realty.
Amanda Lang tells you what you ‘need to know’ when it comes to the ‘circular economy.’ Amanda then discusses new ways to measure and track our efforts at a non-linear economy with Geoff McCarney, Executive Director of the Smart Prosperity Institute.
Amanda Lang talks with Mike Henry, a Canadian who is the CEO of BHP, the world's largest mining company. Topics include the progress of BHP’s huge Jansen potash mine in Saskatchewan, the company’s attempted takeover of Anglo American, and Canada’s new attitude toward resource development.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses the likely path ahead for the Bank of Canada with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers’ look at the state of Canada’s infrastructure needed for housing – then talks it over with Peter Weltman, Vice-chair of the Canadian Infrastructure Council. Amanda then looks at innovation in how we finance our infrastructure needs with Ben Dachis, Vice-President of Outreach & Research at Clean Prosperity.
The latest announcements from the major projects office did not - again - include any major projects in Alberta. However, the province’s leadership remains confident that an agreement for a pipeline is coming, as part of a bigger agreement with Ottawa. Amanda Lang speaks with Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta.
Amanda Lang takes a ‘by the numbers' look at how technology shifts are affecting Canada’s jobs market. She then digs further into the issue with John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas. In Canada, jobs are holding on, but the economy is facing a tsunami of job losses in the public sector – Amanda speaks with Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses whether this week’s federal budget will do enough to boost Canada’s economy, with Theo Argitis, Senior VP of Policy at the Business Council of Canada.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang discusses what will it take to make food more affordable with Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank.
After catching you up on the week’s top business stories, Amanda Lang talks about debt pressures and the precarious job market with Grant Bazian, president of MNP.
Consultations have begun as Canada gets set to reopen its trade agreement with the U.S. ... and business in Canada has a lot riding on the outcome. Amanda Lang speaks with Matthew Holmes, EVP International and Chief of Public Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This week’s decision on interest rates by the Bank of Canada was a complex one, considering the pressures of inflation and weakening economic growth. Amanda Lang discusses the issues with Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada.
The temporary foreign worker program has come under fire for its potential to abuse workers - and, because it could also shut out existing residents of Canada. Businesses say they need the program, but there is a growing call to scrap it altogether. Amanda Lang takes a closer look with Armine Yalnizyan, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers. Then in her Takeaway segment, Amanda looks at the controversial order for a flock of ostriches in B.C. to be culled.
Canada's economy is clearly feeling the effects of ongoing U.S. tariffs … and business confidence is down. So how gloomy is the outlook? Amanda Lang speaks with Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at the Conference Board of Canada.
Inflation remains sticky in Canada - and it’s not all tariff related. Will the central bank ever get a green light to lower rates? Amanda Lang speaks with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC.
Canada is still working on a deal with the U.S. administration on tariffs - but how much of any agreement will be a complete re-write of our existing free trade agreement? Amanda Lang speaks with David Paterson, Ontario's representative in Washington D.C.. Then in her Takeaway segment, Amanda details how government and business taking steps to help the next generation succeed isn't just the right thing to do ... it’s the smart thing to do.
The Premiers and Prime Minister met this week, along with Indigenous leaders, with talk aimed at staying cooperative and getting things done. But will the consensus end once projects actually get chosen ? Amanda Lang speaks with Perrin Beatty, Co-Chair of the Expert Panel on Canada-U.S. Relations and former CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
The job market in Canada is facing some transformational change, including the arrival of artificial intelligence. So is AI here to take your job? Amanda Lang looks at some of the research. Amanda then discusses the skills gaps in Canada’s workforce, and how that will change with new technology, with Lisa Lalande, CEO of the Century Initiative. Jobs will change fast in the months and years ahead - can we change with them? Amanda talks it over with Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre.
It's been a tough stretch for job seekers - especially younger ones looking for summer or first jobs - but could the worst be over? Amanda Lang talks it over with Claire Fan, Senior Economist at RBC.
As an introduction to a special episode on personal finance, Amanda Lang takes a By The Numbers look at Canadians’ income, savings and debt. Amanda then follows up on the topic of debt, and how we can plan to minimize it, with Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada.
Would cities work better if people were more engaged in municipal politics? Given its importance in our lives, it is in some ways the most opaque level of government. Amanda Lang gets insight from John Tory, the former mayor of Toronto. And in her Takeaway, Amanda explains how making cities attractive for business makes them attractive for everyone.
The race to build new homes is always hobbled by how they are built - labour intensive, and one at a time. Now, Mattamy Homes is working with Stelumar Advanced Manufacturing to make prefab components for up to 3,000 housing units a year. Amanda Lang finds out more from Peter Hass, General Manager of Stelumar.
The Bank of Canada made a call on interest rates this week - but the market is making its own call on rates that will affect the debt most of us pay. Amanda Lang speaks with Penelope Graham, Director of Content at Ratehub.
The OECD's latest review of the Canadian economy includes some familiar themes - like tackling weak productivity and fixing housing affordability. But have those concerns been Trumped by changing policies from the United States? Amanda Lang speaks with Alvaro Pereira, Chief Economist and G20 Finance Deputy of the OECD.
This week's meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bankers was overshadowed by concerns about global trade ... But what should g7 countries be working on? Amanda Lang speaks with Matthew Holmes, Chief of Public Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Amanda Lang looks at Canada’s latest employment numbers – and the pressures the manufacturing sector is facing. She then takes a deeper dive on the employment picture with Brendon Bernard, Senior Economist at Indeed.com. Amanda then circles back to the outlook for manufacturing in this country with Dennis Darby, President and CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
The rise of red tape is a huge concern for Canadian business. It feels like an easy fix for a government hoping to help the economy. Amanda Lang speaks with Krystle Wittevrongel, Director of Research at HTE Montreal Economic Institute.
The newly minted federal government ran on plans to help the housing market - but if they follow through on those plans, will it be enough to right a market that is structurally imbalanced? Amanda Lang speaks with Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist at RBC.
Campaigns are often heavy on promises and light on specifics ... but one thing both major parties have in common is a willingness to keep deficit spending ... and some creative math on where the money comes from. Amanda Lang speaks with a person who specializes in holding the federal government to account when it comes to budgeting and accounting: Kevin Page, President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy.
How are Canadian businesses being affected by U.S. tariffs – and what are they doing to deal with the uncertainty? Amanda Lang speaks with Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
How can economists make meaningful projections with all the uncertainty (and sudden reversals) in policies on the global stage? For his assessment, Amanda Lang speaks with Jean-Francois Perrault, Chief Economist at Scotiabank.
The Canadian economy is under attack - and let's face it, we had problems before Donald Trump came along ...What's the best plan for protecting it in the months ahead? For his assessment, Amanda Lang speaks with Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work
It's a tough time to make economic predictions, with tariffs on one side, and new promises from an election campaign on the other. For his assessment, Amanda Lang speaks with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief economist at CIBC.
After filling you in on all the news you need to know this week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang speaks with Aled Ab Iowerth, Deputy Chief economist at Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation, on the rising threat of stagflation – that is, prices rising while economic growth stagnates.
Amanda Lang fills you in on the news you need to know this week in The Briefs and checks in with B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Diana Gibson, for more on how her province is working with businesses to unlock economic development and internal trade.
After filling you in on all the news you need to know this week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang checks in with Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association for an update on how Canada’s automotive sector is feeling headed into tariffs next week.
After a look at the state of Canada’s trading output by the numbers, Amanda Lang checks in with Roger Martin, author and former Dean of the Rotman School of Management for his thoughts on what Canada needs to do to rebalance its trade policy for the new normal we are now in.
After catching you up on all the news that was in the business world in The Briefs this week, Amanda Lang checks in with Satish Rai, the former chief investment officer with Ontario pension plan OMERS to discuss his new book on financial literacy, focusing on what ordinary people can do to get their financial lives in order.
After catching you up on the week that was in The Briefs, Amanda Lang checks in with Jean-Francois Perrault, chief economist with Scotiabank, for his thoughts on the Bank of Canada’s decision to cut rates this week and the outlook for Canada’s economy headed into a potential trade war.
After catching you up on the week that was in business in The Briefs, Amanda Lang checks in with Mike Moffatt, Executive-In-Resident at the Smart Prosperity Institute, to hear about Missing Middle, a new organization aimed at examining the status of Canada’s middle class, what that term even means, and what policies might potentially be able to help them.
After catching you up with the news of the week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang checks in with Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification to hear about what’s at stake in the trade fight with the U.S., and why policy makers are considering every weapon at their disposal to fight back if necessary.
After catching you up on the news of the week in business in The Briefs, Amanda Lang speaks with Duke Change, CEO of Canada Helps, to hear about the unexpected impact the recent Canada Post work stoppage had on charities who rely on mailed cheques from donors every holiday season.
The loonie has sold off heavily in recent months, touching as low as 66 cents US at one point in December. Amanda Lang speaks with Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist at Alberta Central, and Trevor Tombe, an economist at the University of Calgary for their thoughts on what the loonie’s weakness means in the scheme of things, and how Canadian consumers and businesses should plan to deal with the currency.
Amanda Lang speaks with Dillon Baxter, the CEO of PlantSwitch, about his company’s promising new technology for environmentally friendly and biodegradable cutlery and packaging. And in her Takeaway, Amanda says the apparent demise of the Net Zero Banking Alliance feels all too predictable given the current political climate, and serves as a reminder of the dangers of asking corporations to get out in front of always shifting political winds.
After catching us up on the news of the week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang speaks with Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council for a look of the state of the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S. headed into a second Trump presidency.
After looking back at the year that was for Canada’s economy, Amanda Lang checks in with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist with CIBC for his thoughts on what the advent of a second Trump administration might mean for businesses and consumers next year
Amanda Lang checks in with Goldy Hyder, President & CEO of the Business Council of Canada for a read on what the business community thinks about the outlook for 2025. Donald Trump’s policies loom large and will likely bring some uncertainty, but opportunities abound for businesses. Next, Amanda Lang speaks with Lana Payne, President of Unifor, for her take on what the year ahead looks like for workers and organized labour after a tumultuous 2024.
Amanda Lang speaks with Penelope Graham, Director of Content at Ratehub.ca for her thoughts on where the Bank of Canada is in its rate cycle, and what it means for consumers. And in her Takeaway, Amanda Lang says while it’s hard to argue with the performance of bitcoin this year, but from an investment perspective it’s as risky and volatile as ever, so buyer beware.
After catching us up on the news of the week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang checks in with David Dienesch, CEO of Allianz Trade in Canada for an update on food inflation and what the outlook is for both your grocery bill and major food exports for 2025
After catching you up on the news of the week in The Briefs, Amanda checks in with Dan Kelly, head of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, for a pulse check on how small businesses are feeling about having to bear the cost of implementing Ottawa’s holiday on GST this holiday season.
Canada’s Competition Bureau has been using new weapons in its fight to level the playing field for consumers, so Amanda Lang speaks with Vass Bednar, Executive Director of the Master of Public Policy Program at McMaster University and James Musgrove, a competition lawyer with McMillan for their take on the state of Canada’s competitive landscape
After catching you up on the news of the week in the Briefs segment, Amanda Lang checks in with David Paterson, Ontario’s representative in Washington, D.C. for a lookahead to trade discusses between the two countries and Mexico
The number of Canadian consumers and businesses filing insolvencies is rising, so Amanda Lang spoke with Andre Bolduc, the chair of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals for an update. And with parts of Canada’s housing market showing weakness, we check in with Mathieu Laberge, senior vice-president of housing economics, CMHC for his outlook.
After catching us up on the news of the week in The Briefs, Amanda Lang speaks with Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council for a look of the state of the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S. headed into a second Trump presidency.
After a by the numbers look at just how interdependent the economies of Canada and the U.S. are, Amanda Lang checks in with Ian Bremmer, founder of The Eurasia Group, about what Trump’s win suggests about the path for America in the next few years, and what should be top of mind for Canada.
There are challenges ahead for Canadian business, but Goldy Hyder, the CEO of the Business Council of Canada says there are plenty of opportunities too, if we can stop putting the puck in our own net. And in her Takeaway, Amanda Lang says anxiety over an uncertain future is natural, but a new era south of the border is a good time to reflect on all the things Canada has going for it.
A price on carbon is widely accepted by economists as an efficient way to measure the harm done by carbon and to encourage behavioural change, but is it the best route given that it comes with a real cost to consumers and the economy? Amanda Lang checks in with Chris Ragan, the founding director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University for his thoughts.
Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institute and Ken Green, Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute, lay out the arguments in favour and against Canada’s carbon tax system.
Nik Nanos, chief data scientist of Nanos Research, tells Amanda Lang what Canadians tell pollsters they think about the political issue that is the carbon tax. And in her Takeaway, Amanda Lang says the ongoing debate should not distract us from the need to tackle a complicated issue head on.
After catching you up on the news of the week, Amanda Lang speaks with Aled ab Iorweth, deputy chief economist with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to check in on the pace of Canadian home construction and whether it will meet our future housing needs.
After years out of favour, nuclear power is ramping up again around the world, including Canada. Amanda Lang speaks with John Gorman, the head of the Canadian Nuclear Association, and Jeff Binns with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for an update on what is driving the demand, and what the plans are to handle the relatively small amount of waste it will produce.
After catching you up on the business news you need to know this week, Amanda Lang speaks with Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Labour & Seniors, for a discussion on what role government can play in optimizing the future of work in Canada.
For the first time ever, four generations are in the work force together, which is impacting everything from work from home policies to the nature of productivity. Amanda speaks with Steven Davis, Director of Research at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University and Evangeline Berube with HR consulting firm Robert Half about what it all means.
Amanda Lang gets you caught up on the news of the week, and we check in with Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Vic Fedeli, for his thoughts on the outlook for the province’s automotive sector.
Amanda Lang speaks with TD Bank economist James Marple and Kevin Lee of the Canadian Home Builders Association for their outlook on the construction sector and its role in Canada’s productivity gap.
From Canadian inflation to the latest decision on interest rates, Amanda Lang breaks down the news of the week in The Briefs. And we hear from with Penelope Graham, a mortgage expert with Ratehub.ca to see if new 30-year mortgage rules designed to help first time buyers get into the market will actually make affordability worse.
Electricity is the new oil, and North America’s grid is in danger of one day running dry, which is why Ontario has launched the largest procurement plan in its history.
Amanda Lang chats with Marc Desormeaux, principal economist with Desjardins about the impact of the central bank’s rate cut on affordability.
With work stoppages at CN and CP Rail and possibly soon Air Canada.
Will new tariffs invite retaliation from China
A look a the middle class: By the Numbers.
Building a Middle Class.
Middle Class and Taxes.
How technology is changing the job market in agriculture.
An innovative program aiming to help employ Americans with developmental disabilities.
The rising costs of cyberattacks.
A special look at tourism in Canada: By the numbers.
Are airfares finally coming in for a landing?
What makes travelers pick the destinations they choose?
America in turmoil.
Defence spending is good for the economy.
If 40% of immigrants want to leave big cities for cheaper housing, that is actually a good thing, especially for the smaller cities they locate to.
The lag on inflation and debt relief for Canadians, despite rates moving lower.
Why actively managed funds pulled out of some of the top tech stocks in favour of others in the artificial intelligence space.
Double-digit rise in youth unemployment, making life even less affordable.
A look at the state of Canadian trade.
The mood among Canadian exporters is upbeat compared to pandemic lows, but still well below previous highs.
Despite the rise of protectionism, there's optimism about the future for Canadian trade.
Taking Stock with Amanda Lang looks at the personal finances of Canadians: What you need to know.
Debt management is critical.
Investing for your future is key.
The Briefs: capital gains tax; household net worth hits record; U.S. holds interest rates steady; National Bank to buy Canadian Western Bank; U.S. complains about digital services tax.
The Care Economy in Canada: What you Need to Know
Business does not like the change to capital gains taxes
The Briefs - Bank of Canada lowers rates; Canada jobs fall flat; Canadian AI firm gets big investment; TD struggles with money laundering problems; NDP wants a cap on some grocery prices; CRTC to impose 5% levy on digital streamers
Auto theft continues to hit new records
Rates and housing, rates and debt payments
Our chilly relationship with China
Soft economic numbers on Friday are likely the last data point before the Bank of Canada makes its next decision on interest rates next week.
New numbers suggest Canadians are far more skeptical of AI than other countries are.
Canadian businesses also aren’t buying in to AI as much as the rest of the world, and it could cost them over the long run.
We’re taking a look at trade in Canada. With more than 1 in 6 Canadian jobs tied to exports, it’s a critical issue. But barriers within Canada and with other countries are holding us back.
Businesses are feeling slightly more confident about the outlook, but risks remain.
The trading relationship between Canada and the U.S. remains strong, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas for improvement.
Barriers to trade within provinces are costing consumers and the economy billions.
The Briefs: U.S inflation cools; Biden imposes tariffs on China; New EV supply plant; More retailers liquidate; Wildfires take hold.
Wildfires in Canada: By The Numbers
Financing big oil
The Briefs - The roundup of the week's top business stories; Canada jobs numbers; Nestle workers strike; TD faces money laundering probe; Lululemon accused of greenwashing.
What do high insolvency rates tell us about the path ahead for the Canadian economy?
Real estate transaction costs - By The Numbers
The Briefs - Roundup of the top stories: Canada GDP is weak; U.S. Central bank signals rates may stay high longer; More home buyers are waiting for lower rates; London Drugs hit with cyberattack; Loblaw hit with boycott; pot gets re-classified in U.S.
New warnings on every cigarette should deter smokers.
Ontario's new rule banning cellphones from classrooms says more about the adults than the kids.
The Briefs: Honda to build a new EV plant in Ontario; Competition questions about a big merger in agriculture; UN plastic agreement; wildfire season comes early; basic income lawsuit moves ahead.
Amanda Lang speaks to Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation about taxpayer dollars spent to bring industry like Honda to Canada.
Amanda Lang speaks to Daniel Garcia-Maccia, economist with the International Monetary Fund about the best way governments can promote productivity.
Amanda Lang speaks to Dennis Darby, president and CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters about whether the budget is good for business.
Amanda Lang speaks to Gary Sands, VP of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, about efforts to attract foreign players to the Canadian market.
The Briefs: Federal Budget overview; Inflation in Canada; Homeowners bullish on prices; IMF raises global growth forecast; Arrests made in gold heist; Pipeline leak causes Alberta fire.
Measures to spur growth in the budget - By The Numbers
Amanda Lang speaks with Perrin Beatty, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce about the federal budget.
Amanda Lang speaks with Dino Infanti, partner at KPMG, about new tax measures in the federal budget.
Will a national dental plan work if dentists don't sign up?
The Briefs: Bank of Canada decision day; US inflation; More housing supply needed; Consumers feeling better about debt.
What we know about next week’s budget.
Does a better-performing economy provides cover for a federal budget to spend more?
What should – and shouldn’t be in the federal budget.
Block 1 - From the latest Canadian jobs data to Tesla orders falling sharply and Ford delaying EV plant in Ontario, we recap the top stories of the week. Plus, how working shorter weeks can make us more productive: Amanda Lang talks to Joe O'Connor, CEO, Work Time Reduction Centre of Excellence.
Block 2 - The long tail of inflation and its dampening effect on business investment: Amanda Lang speaks with Randall Bartlett, Senior Director of Canadian Economics, Desjardins and Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Block 3 -- Amanda Lang talks to Bruce Hodges, CEO, Parachute. And in this week’s edition of The Takeaway, Amanda says making the carbon tax a political football ignores the fact that it's the best idea we have for reducing emissions and meeting our global commitments. Easy to criticize, but where are the alternative plans?
Block 1 - From Canadian inflation numbers to the latest decision on interest rates by the U.S. central bank and a takeover of a promising Canadian drug company, we recap the top stories of the week. Plus, we check in with Pedro Antunes, chief economist with the Conference Board of Canada, for his insights on when Canadian lending rates might finally start heading lower.
Block 2 - It’s harder than ever to buy a home in Canada, which is a big reason why Canada’s home ownership rate is falling. We’ll take a look at Canada’s housing market By The Numbers and speak with some experts who are finding some innovative solutions to the problem. Alex Kjorven, Chief Product Officer of Ourboro, explains the company’s business model of becoming equity partners with prospective buyers by helping out with the down payment. Next, we talk to with Nikolaas Van Der Velde, Finance Manager at Indwell, who are selling community bonds to investors looking to help spur the construction of affordable housing.
Block 3 - Climate scientists say we are already missing key targets for emissions, and a new book explores their thoughts about what comes next. Amanda Lang speaks to author and historian, Gwynne Dyer. And in this week’s edition of The Takeaway, Amanda says complex problems like climate change require humanity to resist our innate urge for immediate gratification, and suggests that perhaps we need to get smarter about the ways that we are dumb.
This week on Taking Stock: A feature interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss how Alberta can continue to grow its economy beyond fossil fuels, take the political temperature in the province and the her view on the role Alberta plays in a united Canada.
What Ottawa can do to make the most of our natural resources, why access to them should be considered of strategic importance, and who can help finance our mining future
The Briefs: Economic growth picks up in Canada and the U.S.; Canada's banks set aside more money for bad loans; As rents hit record levels, more homeowners feel stress; $1.2 B for universities in Ontario, with new freezes on tuition hikes; Warren Buffett's company could be first non-tech firm to hit $1 trillion value.
A new pharmacare deal is on the table - can Canada afford a full-blown version?
How are consumers spending?: By the Numbers
The gap between rich and poor gets wider.
The Briefs: A round-up of the week's top business stories: Inflation cool a little in Canada; Loblaw plans expansion in Canada; Walmart buys smart TV firm Vizio; Feds kick in $2 billion for affordable housing in B.C.; Discover looks to buy Capital One for US$35.3B.
Doctors and health spending in Canada: By The Numbers
We might save money by spending on preventative care, rather than health care.
Social spending gets less attention than health care, but it may be time to revisit those types of investments.
Gig workers often make less than minimum wage — who is watching out for them?
The Briefs: US Inflation is stronger than expected; Housing market shows signs of life; New money for housing and medical staff in rural communities; A new report on tent encampments calls for basic services; Ontario's controversial wage law struck down; it will cost more to insure electric vehicles.
Achieving housing affordability: By The Numbers
Barriers to trade between provinces costs us billions of lost opportunity.
The Briefs: Jobs climb in Canada, but not by much; BCE lays off 9% of its staff; Feds offer money for home affordability; auto theft summit; Bank of Canada says home affordability not in its control; home sales up in Toronto and Vancouver; cross-border fight over wine.
Wages aren’t rising enough to offset the cost of living.
Consumer and business debt levels cause a crunch: By The Numbers
What can businesses do in the face of high debt and flat sales?
Mental health is a problem for entrepreneurs.
Amanda Lang in conversation with Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba.
What you need to know about Manitoba's 25th premier.
The growth opportunity in Manibota.
The role Kinew can play in reconciliation and improved economic outcomes for Indigenous Manitobans.
Manitoba as a bridge between the federal government and irritated western provinces.
The Briefs: Bank of Canada holds the line on interest rates; Is Canada already in recession?; The wealth gap widens as the rich get richer; International Student Visas will be cut by 35% this year; Netflix is doing just fine after raising its prices; China may intervene in its own stock market.
The cost of home ownership keeps climbing: By The Numbers
Should we be concerned that a giant U.S. investor is buying rental housing in Canada?
Are deep pocketed investors exactly what we need to build more housing?
Another kick at the guaranteed income can in Canada - an idea that keeps rearing its head. But can we afford it?
The Briefs: Inflation creeps up again in Canada; The Bank of Canada says businesses are more pessimistic than ever, while consumers change their spending habits to cope with higher rates; Pandemic era business loans come due and many businesses fret they won't survive; Housing starts fall 7% nationally in 2023; Health Minister says Canada will prevent US states from buying all our prescription drugs.
Is immigration growing so fast it is stunting growth? The "Population Trap": By the Numbers
High interest lenders say new rules from Ottawa will shut some borrowers out of market.
The Briefs: U.S. Inflation rises; More consumers are anxious about debt; Some retailers post strong holiday sales; Boeing's very bad week; Honda mulls an electric plant in Canada; Shell inks long term deal for Canadian gas.
Canada is off track in its zero-emission vehicle goals.
We are more stressed by debt than ever: here's a look: By the Numbers
Inflation in food prices isn't going away this year.
What older workers need to understand about their younger colleagues.
Amanda Lang in conversation with Matthew Boswell, Canada's Commissioner of Competition.
The Briefs: Bank of Canada holds steady on rates; Food inflation to climb again this year; New targets for oil and gas sector to reduce emissions; Credit card fees coming down for some small businesses; Layoffs at CBC and Shopify
Higher interest rates hit older Canadians different, here's a look: By the numbers
Another failing great for health care with some common sense ideas about fixing it
The Briefs: Jobs in Canada; GDP slows; Consumer confidence craters; Holiday spending holds up; Bank's set aside more for bad loans; Google will pay news orgs 100 million a year
Recent legislation makes it illegal to use replacement workers in any strike in a federally regulated industry.
A look at small and medium businesses in Canada: By The Numbers
How can governments foster growth?
Alberta plays hardball over federal clean electricity rules.
The Briefs: Fiscal update from Ottawa is a balancing act; Inflation cools in October; Bank of Canada cautiously optimistic on interest rates; UN warns world is missing climate targets; more than 400,000 government workers strike in Quebec
Fixing housing may require changing the demand side of the equation
The Fiscal Update: By the Numbers
How can the government do more to foster economic growth?
Inflation is still driving food prices higher - how we may need to change how we think about food
The Briefs: U.S. Inflation cools; Canadian confidence sinks; More Canadians are food insecure; Ottawa to spend to build rental units; Why commodities may do well; Trump's Truth Social losing money
The Jobs Picture: By the numbers
Is the jobs market weakening?
The Briefs: Record rents; Feds to build more houses; Loblaws pushes back on grocery code of conduct; We Work files for bankruptcy; Carbon Tax exemption vote fails; Canada won't make its 2030 climate goals: audit
Corporate Profit and inflation: By the Numbers
Leveling the internet field
Interest rates and inflation: By the Numbers
Affordability is the biggest concern for Canadians – will it improve any time soon?
The Briefs: Bank of Canada; St. Lawrence Seaway Strike; UAW strike ; Toronto’s $50 B housing plan; Chevron Aquires Hess
The politics of affordability: By The Numbers
Competition in Canada is in rough shape – how do we improve it?
The Briefs: Inflation cools in September; Business sentiment falls; Competition in Canada weak; Scotiabank cutting 3% of jobs; Alberta wants out of CPP; Netflix adds subscribers
Supreme Court strikes down Bill c69: By the Numbers
The Briefs: Jobs numbers in Canada and the US; Bond yields soar; Minimum wages rise; More workers are stressed; Birkenstock plans share sale
Rates and debt: By The Numbers
Governments effort to regulate big tech is backfiring
Special Edition: On Labour
A look at Employment in Canada. By The Numbers
We get the feeling work will change a lot in the future - but in what ways?
Work from home is disappearing fast for many workers...what other pandemic era perks will go?
Affordable child care should help working parents...but there's not enough of it.
The Briefs: Inflation jumps again; Grocers asked for a plan on pricing; Unifor strikes tentative deal with Ford; OECD raises global outlook for this year, lowers it for next; Instacart goes public; Amazon hiring this fall
Food prices in Canada. By The Numbers
Are grocers to blame for high prices?
Will more competition help in the grocery sector?
The government is updating the competition act - will that make any difference on inflationary pricing?
The Briefs: Peak of Oil and Gas?; US Inflation still high; UAW hits the picket lines; Record levels of rent in Canada; Ottawa cuts GST on new rentals; Household balance sheets improve; Sudafed doesn’t work; Rogers must give service on Toronto Transit
The rising role of investors in housing. By the Numbers
Investors are a necessary part of building new homes
Investors contribute to the inequity in the housing market
Google faces an anti-trust lawsuit in the US: Guest
The Briefs: Wildfire update; Retail Sales; Cabinet retreat; RBC, TD Bank earnings a mixed bag; Capping student visas
Where do Canadians lay blame for inflation and cost of housing? By The Numbers
The role of governments in addressing housing affordability.
Policies that can drive growth even as inflation weighs on the economy.
Regulating AI will take global cooperation.
The Briefs: Inflation ticks higher; Real estate volume flatlines; Housing starts drop; US retail sales are strong; We Work on the ropes; BC's Carbon Engineering to be bought by Occidental Petroleum.
A look at rent in Canada, By the Numbers.
A new report calls for millions of new rental units to be built.
What else should government be doing to spur more building?
Will work from home crush downtown landlords?
The Briefs: Labour strife continues; UPS results disappoint; News organizations challenge Meta; Wildfires set records; Clean grid regulations
Labour in Canada By The Numbers.
What’s at stake in negotiations.
What are the Saudis up to with sports.
Alberta’s motivation for halting green energy projects is unclear: but given the race to net zero it’s definitely unwelcome.
The risks and opportunities for Canada's ag sector
Should our ag sectors be managed with proper industrial policy?
A looming demographics problem faces many in the ag sector.
Asking the fertilizer industry to reduce emissions.
The Briefs: Bank of Canada hikes rates again; US inflation cools; Watchdog names two Canadian companies for exploiting labour; Aritzia's profit suffers the effects of inflation; Hollywood actors go on strike
A look at some of the programs aimed at improving housing supply.
How red tape adds to the price of homes.
Funding affordable housing with community bonds.
A fight between big tech and government might leave consumers the ones with bruises.
A special edition of Taking Stock, focussed on the young people in Canada
Housing affordability is at record lows - so where does that leave young people hoping to get into the housing market?
A growing number of young Canadians are filing for insolvency.
The labour market is tight, but many jobs may disappear in future and be replaced by new ones - how can young people prepare
Students are one of the worst-served groups when it comes to housing - maybe it's time to make that someone else's problem. If big institutions and corporations had a responsibility to house people, maybe we'd get traction on this issue.
The Briefs: OSFI raises buffers for banks; Equifax reports higher credit card use by business; Tourism industry on the ropes; Retail sales defies expectations, again; Competition Bureau fines Canada Bread in long-running price fixing investigation
Inflation may be cooling in Canada - a look at the prices producers are paying for raw materials, By The Numbers
Should grocers pay a windfall tax on profit, if they are found to be behaving in an uncompetitve fashion?
Does Canada have a competition problem?
Bill S-5 gives Canadians the right to clean air and water - is that a can of worms?
Banks appear to be pulling back on lending to business...but while they should remain prudent about bad loans, maybe they can afford to take a little more risk on Canada's entrepreneurs? Even if it means a few of those loans go bad.
The Briefs - US Central bank holds steady as inflation cools; Housing regulator warns of longer mortgage terms; fewer housing units are being built in May; Ottawa Senators have a bidder; Port of Vancouver ranks 2nd last globally.
What needs to be done to make rents affordable?
Why are longer amortizations on mortgages a problem?
Immigrants are coming to Canada in high numbers - but many plan to leave after they get here. What are we doing wrong?
The Briefs: Bank of Canada raises rates; Jobs in Canada; World Bank raises 2023 growth outlook; Office vacancies rise again; Wildfires blanket Canada and northern US in smoke.
Electric vehicles in Canada.
Are subsidies to big companies the right way to go for electric manufacturing?
Blocking passage of the federal budget isn't good politics, and it most certainly isn't good for the economy. Let's not mimic the worst of the American system.
The Briefs: GDP in Canada; Rental investments lose money; Shopify hit with class action; AI in focus; Chipmaker Nvidia tops $1 trillion in value; State Farm won't add any customers in California; Nova Scotia wildfires.
The economy is booming, how is business doing?
How big is smoking in Canada.
Canada becomes the first in the world to label individual cigarettes as unhealthy - how much further should we go to stamp out smoking? Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst, Canadian Cancer Society.
Record household debt; Banks set aside money for bad loans; US debt ceiling debate continues; Air Canada's May long weekend travel almost back to normal: Ford inks 11 year lithium deal with Quebec miner.
How big is big food in Canada? By the Numbers
Will Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations be more expensive than they are worth?
America and China are battling over control of computer chips - and in the end we may all pay a very real price for that.
Inflation creeps up in Canada; Bank of Canada highlights debt loads as key risk, House prices rebound; Rents soar; Stellantis stops building its EV plant; GM recalls SUVs over airbag safety issue.
Saskatchewan says Ottawa’s net zero goals are unrealistic. New research from the Public Policy Forum appears to back that up.
Stellantis has the Canadian government over a barrel with its demand for more cash. After all, we've shown we are willing to pay big money to lure business here. Where that ends is anyone's guess.
US Inflation moderates again; Canada and China tensions; Alberta wildfires disrupt business; Westjet pilots stage pre-emptive picket lines; EU regulates AI; Bank of Canada wants input on a digital currency.
why some prices are stickier than others.
Urban density should help people find homes.
A new product for small businesses that leverage AI technology.
Calls to extend the deadline for repayment of Covid-era small business loans are misplaced. At some point, businesses need to get back to whatever the new normal is, and it’s not the role of government or taxpayers to prop them up.
Jobs in Canada; WHO declares Covid-19 emergency over; US rates rise again; First Republic Bank swallowed by JP Morgan; Housing markets firm up across Canada; Federal civil servants strike tentative deal with government.
What makes a sports team valuable? It turns out it's not winning.
Tickemaster agreed to shut out Canadian fans in South Florida - another sign it abuses its dominant position?
The federal government could do more to help low income Canadians with their taxes.
A pandemic can upset anyone's business model. Some businesses responded by pivoting and innovating. The lessons we can learn from Tim Hortons.
the new federal Canadian Innovation Corporation – By the Numbers
From idea to start up – funding cancer research. David O’Neill, president of FACIT
Other countries do a fine job of carving out their brand and defending it….if a country like Switzerland, which doesn’t produce cocoa, can be known for chocolate, why can’t we do a better job of owning our innovation?
The Indigenous Economy – By the numbers - Tabatha Bull, President and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Funding First Nations projects - Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor, Cedar LNG
Fulfilling the potential of Canada’s Indigenous people is a great story, but it’s a complex one, and over-simplifying the path to equality and prosperity will doom it to failure.
Bank of Canada decision; IMF warns of global recession; Sleep Country acquires Casper’s Canadian business; 155,000 government employees now have the right to strike; Consumers are worried about debt and future rate hikes.
Business outlook, By the Numbers
A new report sounds the alarm on a lack of farmers in Canada. Mohamad Yaghi, Agriculture and Climate Policy Lead, RBC
While we try to green our energy sources, have we lost sight of trying to also consume less? So far it seems like we want to behave exactly the same way, but with greener energy. But our grid, for one, won’t stand up to that.
The briefs - Jobs in Canada; Bank of Canada Survey; Office vacancy rates at records; Rogers/Shaw merger closes; Tesla sees record sales; Oil prices jump - will gas prices follow?
The state of real estate pricing in Canada - By The Numbers
Sounding the warning on AI - some of the original creators of artificial intelligence call for a halt in development for 6 months. Guest: Valerie Pisano, president and CEO, Mila
The pandemic showed a lot of people a different way of working - now bosses want to roll back to the old ways...but maybe its time to update work for the first time in 200 years.
The Briefs; The federal budget; GST rebate extended; bank taxes; Canadian GDP; Rogers-Shaw Deal approved; CIB makes biofuels bet; Lululemon and Dollarama show retailers are alive and well.
Are we measuring poverty correctly? Guest: Geranda Notten, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, and author of the Deprivation Measure Index.
Will the new tax credits be the right way to help transition Canada’s economy? Guest: Michael Bernstein, Executive Director, Clean Prosperity
When our federal government runs a deficit, the cost in interest payments on debt stacks up fast. If we are complacent about it, government’s have no reason to find their way to balance.
Inflation and wages in Canada; Federal minimum wage to rise; US Central bank ups rates again; President Biden visits Canada; Ontario delivers record budget. UN sounds the warning on climate change; Looking ahead to next week's federal budget.
Bank failures, rattle markets; US inflation remains high; Cedar LNG gets the nod; Volkswagen to build EV battery plant in Ontario.
When will air travel ever be normal again?
The pandemic left a 6% whole in Canada‘s economy. What will it take to recover?
There’s no need to worry about bank failures in Canada, but we pay a high price for the safety we enjoy.
Bank of Canada holds steady on rates; Jobs reports in Canada and the US; Coming budget a balancing act; Home price drops steepest in smaller cities; Plastics ban challenged in court; Grocers on the hot seat – again – for food inflation
When might borrowers see relief? Pedro Antunes, chief economist, Conference Board of Canada.
More Canadians than ever are renters – and life has never been more expensive
Shopify is innovating how it rewards employees – what other businesses could learn. Stephen Harrington, partner of Human Capital, Deloitte Canada
Women everywhere can call it a victory when we no long need “international Women’s day” – for now, it’s a reminder of how far from the goal we are.
Is there such a thing as the ‘right size’ for government? What is it in Canada? By The Numbers.
The public sector is a vital part of the delivery of government service, so how is ours?
Why is the government so bad at big projects?
The difference between those with a government pension and those without is a looming divide in Canada and a problem we may want to start addressing now.
The feds will outsource more than $21 billion this year – but how do we know if we are getting value for the money?
Forget being annoyed by tip inflation, why do we allow this barbaric practice to continue at all? And letting tips make up a big chunk of some worker’s pay? Lets do away with tipping, once and for all.
Inflation in January fell but is still hot; Loblaw reports better than expected results; Home Depot raises pay; Immigrants aren’t finding jobs to match their skill level; Four day work week pilot a success; Facebook gets a reprieve on a UK class action; Government outsourcing continues to rise
Millenials are up to their necks in debt - what can they do?
As rates stay high, what's the best strategy on mortgage renewals?
We can be our own worst enemy when it comes to our finances and making better choices.
We have looked the other way on high-interest loans for long enough. Maybe it's time for traditional lenders to step in and solve this problem.
Jobs in Canada; More money from feds for health care; Bank of Canada sheds light on its thinking; Record oil and gas profit; Bed Bath & Beyond is on the brink; Retirement may cost $1.7 million
Is fixing health care also about fixing social problems? Dr. Andrew Boozary, Executive Director of Population Health and Social Medicine at University Health Network
There may be a lot of job openings, but what kind of jobs are they? By the Numbers.
A class action lawsuit takes on consumer product giant Johnson & Johnson – what Canadians should know
Canada's economy is slowing; US Central bank hikes borrowing costs again.
New standards for long term care homes; Billions of promises made last year went unspent by federal government and US charges Canada is anti-trade on dairy.
Is Google anti-competitive, and what would it mean if the US government manages to break it up?
Another rate hike from the Bank of Canada; Grocery prices will rise again; Renters face worst market since 2001
A warning that the federal government has rose-coloured glasses on when it comes to recession.
120,000 public sector workers could be set to strike; Rogers’ takeover of Shaw steps closer to reality; US officials charge Google with anti-competitive behaviour
Accessing your pay early could keep you from a payday loan
We are told to invest our money and then forget about it – but sometimes that is the very worst advice.
When fundamental things like the long term rate environment shift, we should rethink what we are doing and why.
How can Canada make sure it gets a piece of the future growth as America continues its ‘buy American’ policies?
What kind of protection do gig workers need? Jennifer Scott is President of Gig Workers United
Are gig workers good or bad for small businesses? Dan Kelly, Pres. and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Lululemon dropped prices in the holiday shopping season – the stock market didn’t like it, but it’s very good news for the economy. Companies with high profit can afford to share some of it with customers and even employees.
Immigration hits new record; Jobs in Canada and the US; More big tech layoffs; Travel chaos; Rogers/Shaw deal delayed again; Sick Kids Hospital ransomware attack; Real estate sales continue to slow.
What does poverty in Canada look like and what can be done about it? Scott MacAfee, chair, National Advisory Council on Poverty.
Canada’s government is spending on housing to improve affordability – is it working?
One not for profit focusses on education plus empowerment to lift women and their families out of poverty
Food insecurity is a growing problem – but food banks shouldn’t be the last solution
Bank of Canada raises rates again; Consumer debt shoots higher; Food inflation to continue this year; Grocery execs on the hot seat, Did the feds send about $30 billion to people and companies that didn’t need pandemic support? Spending by government added to inflation modestly, but accounts for a big share of the rate hikes we have seen and A coroner’s inquest into a 2014 trench collapse death comes with 10 recommendations for the Ministry of Labour, but they are rejecting all of them.
How is the holiday shopping season shaping up?; Effect of rising rates on variable mortgages; Are grocers really ripping us off with higher prices?; Alberta’s power grab should outrage not just the citizens of that province, but all Canadians, for the way it undermines the very idea of Canada.
More money doesn’t have to be the solution, instead we should look to countries that do a better job, like Germany or the Netherlands: Bacchus Barua, director of health care policy, Fraser Institute.
Drug shortages shocked many parents recently, but Canada has persistent – and easy to solve – issues when it comes to shortages like these. Guest: Dr. Joel Lexchin, pharma policy expert, and emergency room physician.
There aren’t enough GPs in Canada, how to fix chronic shortages of doctors?
Cost of living in Canada is higher than minimum wage - we take a look By The Numbers. Also, Meridian Credit Union is certified as a cost-of-living employer, promising to pay a living wage. However, as rates rise, are the most vulnerable workers going to pay the biggest price? Finally, Canada is sitting on a lot of the resources the world will need to build clean and green tech.
US Inflation cools slightly; Canadian insolvencies jump sharply but are still below pre-pandemic levels; Federal and provincial health ministers meet to talk money; shortages of children's medicines cause worry; Facebook parent lays off 11,000 employees globally, including Canada; cyber attacks highlights risk to business
As Canada's population ages it could have profound impact on our economy.
Long term care homes were under a spotlight during covid, with plenty of concerns about quality of care. What has changed?
Staying in our own home as long as possible is what most Canadians want in their old age. How to make that more possible.
Saving for retirement can feel daunting, how much should we worry and is there some good news.
Business and consumer confidence in Canada , by The Numbers. Small and medium sized businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and jobs in Canada. The good news is they are feeling pretty good. and labour is supposed to be in the drivers seat, but will a recession derail that?
New warnings of a global recession; US Inflation still running at 40 year highs; Canadian uranium miner Cameco buys into nuclear power player Westinghouse; Canada Post will offer loans from TD Bank; Cineplex blames weak Hollywood roster for limp September; employers in Ontario have 30 days to fess up to any surveillance of employees
Bank of Canada warns rates will continue higher to fight inflation; Jobs in Canada eke out gains in September; Oil prices set to rise after OPEC members cut production; Home sales continue to slide across Canada as volume dries up; TC Energy buys into solar in Alberta; Retailers can begin passing on the transaction cost of your credit card purchase.
Canada’s economy is still growing as rates rise, and the number of unfilled jobs drops; Ontario to spend $90 million training disadvantaged groups for skilled work; Fiona’s aftermath will mean hundreds of millions of insured losses; all Covid border restrictions are lifted – airlines celebrate the end of the mask; a pipeline between Russia and Germany is hit with three leaks, and finger pointing at Russia follows.
Canadian inflation moderates but is still too high; retail sales in july fell hard as consumers pulled back; manufacturers warn that labour shortages are costing them money; more Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck; the World Bank warns a global recession could be the fallout of higher interest rates; Canada to lift Covid border restrictions and is the pandemic over? Doctors warn we may be getting ahead of reality.
The Bank of Canada hiked rates again with the promise of more; A read on Canadian jobs shows a still-tight labour market; Canadians are growing their debt ahead of a possible recession. The gap between pay and expectations is keeping workers from taking available jobs. Cities were hit hard by pandemic and a slow re-open: How Toronto is faring, By The Numbers and quiet quitting is a form of working to rule that employers should sit up and take notice of.
Is there such a thing as housing being too big economically? As rates cool housing markets, what will be a catalyst to move it one way or another? The long term consequences of unaffordable housing concealed households. We’ve been sold a story line on housing, but maybe its time to flip the script, and make renting an appealing option.
US Inflation may have peaked but still runs high; Ontario's health minister hints at privatization; CRA says it has 1.4 billion in uncashed cheques; Air Canada finds a loophole to avoid paying compensation to travellers; Cineplex posts its first profit since pandemic started; US bill its more aggressive move on climate change yet.
Jobs reports in Canada and the US tell a story about the economy; Housing markets show continued softness; A crisis in health care with no end in sight; Air Canada revenue soars but it operates at a loss; Air BnB posted a profit on record number of nights booked
Luring older workers back to the workforce may be the answer to unfilled jobs, the push to automate jobs continues - but can it be an opportunity as much as a threat? and why a G-shaped recovery is not good for the economy.
A look at the economic challenge ahead of Canada in this transition, clean electricity only works on demand - more storage will be needed to produce more wind and solar and reducing emissions has to become a personal part of our lives.
Bank of Canada shocks with 1% rate hike; Home prices continue to drop but are still up year over year; Roger's will have to win back customer trust after major outage; Provinces would like the Federal share of health care costs to rise; Ontario expands the availability of a second booster shot as we face the prospect of another serious wave of Covid; Twitter sues Elon Musk over failed takeover bid
Most of the jobs created since the pandemic in Canada have been government jobs.
Home prices will decline as rates rise, but CMHC says not as much as you might think.
When will tourism return to pre-pandemic levels? How will the hotel industry change amid new challenges? and most of Canada's tourism is domestic, why can't a great country like this one sell itself better?
Inflation soars to new highs driven by gas; a million job vacancies in Canada in April points to tight labour market; workers are feeling their power with job actions across the country; Canada needs 5.8 million new homes built by 2030.
Freeland unveils nothing new in affordability fight; US central bank hikes rates most in almost 30 years; household debt has moderated slightly but is still high; while house prices continue to soften; vaccine mandates are lifted for domestic travel, but not international visitors; Quebec businesses warn Bill 96 will make hiring staff even harder.
Higher rates are a problem for some Canadians, but the central bank is too focused on the need to fight inflation to do anything but keep raising them.
The number of workers who want a hybrid work situation is at an all time high but what about those who don’t have the option? Is there another solution in a four-day work week.
Living in cities is increasingly unaffordable for young people, as wages fail to keep up with living expenses.
The Bank of Canada raises interest rates again; GDP growth in Canada misses expectations as concerns about inflation continue; Tim Hortons violated its users privacy; Flair Airlines is deemed Canadian enough; and Rogers and Shaw put their deal on hold to try to appease the competition bureau.
How can a recession be coming when the job market is so healthy? Why can’t government’s do more to help with affordability? and businesses are going bankrupt again as government supports roll off, It’s the biggest year-over-year jump in insolvencies in 31 years, but off a pandemic low.
What does Crypto currencies' crazy ride tell us about its future? Ian Khan, documentary filmmaker “The Bitcoin Dilemma”; The S&P 500 enters into bear market territory, navigating volatile markets with Kevin O’Leary, Chairman, O’Leary Financial Group; It’s currently legal for employers in Canada to spy on their
workers…that could soon change. Howard Levitt, Senior Partner, Levitt Sheikh LLP.
Is competition working in wireless?, Inflation hits small business hard and Work from home: the future or a bust?
Is the push to electric cars practical?, construction workers strike in Ontario demanding higher pay, coping with high costs and supply chain issues and new data on mental health shows the heavy toll on workers.
The offshoring of jobs for low wages, Jim Stanford, Centre for the Future of Work. The housing economy in Canada; Mike Moffatt, Smart Prosperity, and Ian Lee, Carleton University. Meeting Canada’s ambitious net zero goals – Francois Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Cooling a hot housing market without collapsing it. Inflation is a growing concern and the fix for it could be painful. Netflix is trying to change the bargain it has struck with its customers.
Round table on the budget: Robert Asselin, senior VP of policy at the business council of Canada. And Armine Yalnizyan, senior fellow at the Atkinson foundation.
In pushing for aggressive emission reduction, Canada would do well to acknowledge the pain and suffering that will be felt along the way
This week we look ahead to the coming federal budget – what do businesses want, and what might be in the budget?
This week we tackle the winners and losers of our long dance with cheap credit and what happens as it comes to an end.
Food Security as conflict in Ukraine disrupts flow of commodities – Olivier De Shutter, chair of IPES Food, and advisor to the UN. Pipeline Politics – Tim McMillan, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers; Paul Poscente, CEO of Nesika Services. Gender pay gap – Rona Ambrose, chair of Women’s Economic Council of Canada
If there’s a theme for markets and governments this week, it’s surely, do what you can, even if you’re not sure it will work. That is most certainly how we would characterize the global sanctions on Russia, as fighting worsened in Ukraine. More coordinated than we’ve seen in memory, the sanctions nevertheless may take more time to work than Ukrainians have to wait. Canada is fast-tracking the immigration process for Ukrainians, and as we’ll explore in the show, also has ambitious targets in the next few years. Corporations also lined up in solidarity against the Russian invasion, with some of the biggest announcing plans to dump huge stakes in Russian Oligarch-owned companies in the oil and gas sector. Others have simply stopped their operations in Russia while the situation continues. The sanctions are expected to make inflationary pressures worse, and they have already had an effect. Oil for one soared above $US114 a barrel, and with Russian oil now unwelcome on global markets, that price could rise still more. That, on top of existing supply constraints in oil and gas sent prices up across Canada. So too will commodity prices have an impact on food costs. Meanwhile our central bank followed through on its telegraphed promise to raise interest rates, but as we ask on the show this week, will that really do much to tame the inflation beast, or will it just hurt households even more? The ever-present question of how to make housing more affordable is also on our minds. This all comes against a backdrop of a not-bad view of our economy, as we seek to emerge from pandemic restrictions. And finally, they say three strikes and you’re out…major league baseball is now in the second longest work stoppage in history. And as the owners and players exchange barbs about which side is to blame, it is, as always, the fans who get left holding the luke warm beer.
Nature abhors a vacuum and markets abhor the unknown. So it comes down to the weird logic of knowing something has happened - even if its bad - that saw global markets whip saw this week.
A new read on inflation shows it’s still going strong, in fact getting stronger, up more than 5% in January.
COVID protests continue, now slowing trade and threatening higher inflation, plus, a housing task force has as blunt message about more density in city neighborhoods’ and, taking on big tech -- how to hold companies like Google more accountable.
More than 200,000 jobs were lost in the month of January, as businesses adjusted to another round of Covid-19 restrictions. With better news on the health front emerging, will business owners be able to find the much-needed workers when it’s time to get back to business?
All eyes were on central banks this week and many thought interest rates were headed higher in Canada. Instead the Bank of Canada signalled the end of its 'emergency measures' with a warning rates are likely to rise and soon.
In the premiere episode of Taking Stock with Amanda Lang we look at all the pocketbook pressure building across the nation. From inflation to housing costs to shipping -- plus a deep dive into the expected interest rate hike now just days away.