Category: Canada economy

PBO, Critics Question Feds’ High Spending Even as Planned Stimulus No Longer Needed

The federal government is continuing its high-spending ways despite the end of its rationale for doing so, say the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) and others concerned about long-term economic consequences. “Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has spent, or has planned to spend, $541.9 billion in new measures—almost one third of which [$176.6…


Canadian Auto Production Hit Especially Hard by Semiconductor Shortage

TORONTO—To be an autoworker in Canada this year has meant living with a fair bit of uncertainty. “There’s no consistency,” said Mark Sciberras, president of the Unifor local branch at Ford Motor Co.’s Oakville, Ont. operations. “One week to the next, you don’t know if you’re working.” The Oakville plant, like so many auto assembly…


Canada Adds 157,000 Jobs in September, Returning to Pre Pandemic Levels

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the economy added 157,000 jobs in September, bringing employment back to pre-pandemic levels for the first time. The unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent, down from 7.1 percent in August. Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate would have been 8.9 percent in September, down from 9.1 percent in August, had it included…


Statistics Canada Says GDP Fell 0.1 per Cent in July, Estimates Bump in August

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada said Friday the economy shrank 0.1 percent in July, following a 0.6 percent rise in June. The agency’s initial estimate for July real gross domestic product had been for a contraction of 0.4 percent despite an easing of public health restrictions. While the majority of sectors the agency tracks grew in July, declines…


Economy Added 94,000 Jobs in July, Largely in the Services Sector: Statistics Canada

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the economy added 94,000 jobs in July as public health restrictions continued to be lifted, with the gains coming primarily in Ontario. The agency says the gains were concentrated in the service sector, with 35,000 jobs added in accommodation and food services. July employment gains were largely in full-time work, which rose…


Statistics Canada Says Economy Appears to Have Grown in Second Quarter

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the economy appears to have grown in the second quarter of the year despite two months of setbacks. The agency says its preliminary estimate is that the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.5 percent between April and June. Real gross domestic declined by 0.5 percent in April and the agency…


Ottawa Announces $440 Million for Quebec Aerospace Industry

MONTREAL—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing up to $440 million in federal funding for Quebec’s aerospace industry. Trudeau told a news conference today in Montreal that coupled with money from Quebec, the package of government aid for the key sector of the province’s economy will total as much as $693 million. The prime minister says…


Bank of Canada Will Act to Cool Inflation If Prices Run Too Hot, Macklem Says

OTTAWA—The governor of the Bank of Canada says the central bank will rein in inflation if temporary price pressures stubbornly stick around and appear more permanent. Tiff Macklem says the central bank largely expects higher prices right now are temporary and the inflation rate will fall back to the bank’s two-percent target as the economy…


Statistics Canada Says Economy Added 230,700 Jobs in June, All Part Time

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the economy added 230,700 jobs in June as restrictions put in place to slow the pandemic were rolled back across the country. The gain came as the number of part-time positions rose 263,900, bringing it basically back to pre-pandemic levels, while the number of full−time jobs fell 33,200. Statistics Canada said Friday…


Economy Lost 68,000 Jobs in May, Unemployment Rate 8.2%, Statistics Canada Says

OTTAWA—Statistics Canada says the economy lost 68,000 jobs in May as lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 continued. The losses marked the second consecutive month of declines after 207,000 jobs were lost in April. The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in May, little changed from the 8.1 percent in April because the number of…