April 2012 Ontario Economic Fundamentals
- Thread starter Ally
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Things are looking up for Sudbury
While economic uncertainty abounds in many cities across Canada, things are continuing to look up for the Nickel Capital.
Continuing strong world prices for nickel and copper were experienced in 2011 and global demand for the two metals appears set to remain healthy through 2012.
According to the 2011 federal census, Greater Sudbury grew, gaining about 2,500 people from its population figure of 155,225 in 2006. The city grew while the northeast as a whole lost about 1,345 residents.
Read the full article here.
While economic uncertainty abounds in many cities across Canada, things are continuing to look up for the Nickel Capital.
Continuing strong world prices for nickel and copper were experienced in 2011 and global demand for the two metals appears set to remain healthy through 2012.
According to the 2011 federal census, Greater Sudbury grew, gaining about 2,500 people from its population figure of 155,225 in 2006. The city grew while the northeast as a whole lost about 1,345 residents.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Lack of research, innovation money will hurt Geulph
Jobs in Guelph and other Canadian cities reliant on research and innovation will suffer because of the new federal budget, says local MP Frank Valeriote.
`Our jobs are not commodity-driven in Guelph, they are research-driven,` he said in an interview Friday.
The new budget is `cutting back dramatically` on financial incentives for research and innovation that help create jobs in places like Guelph, he said.
Large numbers of local companies rely on the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit, which has been available to any company involved in research and innovation, Valeriote said. The budget replaces this tax credit with research grants that companies will have to apply for and that will need approval by bureaucrats, he said.
`So they are politicizing who will get the money. The government will pick the winners and losers, rather than being market-driven.`
Read the full article here.
Jobs in Guelph and other Canadian cities reliant on research and innovation will suffer because of the new federal budget, says local MP Frank Valeriote.
`Our jobs are not commodity-driven in Guelph, they are research-driven,` he said in an interview Friday.
The new budget is `cutting back dramatically` on financial incentives for research and innovation that help create jobs in places like Guelph, he said.
Large numbers of local companies rely on the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit, which has been available to any company involved in research and innovation, Valeriote said. The budget replaces this tax credit with research grants that companies will have to apply for and that will need approval by bureaucrats, he said.
`So they are politicizing who will get the money. The government will pick the winners and losers, rather than being market-driven.`
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
In attacking Ontario, Ottawa plays a dangerous game
Jim Flaherty`s relentless criticism of Dalton McGuinty`s government has something to do with politics and personality ` Mr. Flaherty has a deep dislike for Grits, especially of the Ontario variety ` but a great deal more to do with the fragile psyche of the Ontario voter.
Both the Harper and McGuinty governments are struggling to convince the troubled middle class that they know how to make the province great again. That struggle is all the fiercer because those same voters are responsible for electing both of them.
Read the full article here.
Jim Flaherty`s relentless criticism of Dalton McGuinty`s government has something to do with politics and personality ` Mr. Flaherty has a deep dislike for Grits, especially of the Ontario variety ` but a great deal more to do with the fragile psyche of the Ontario voter.
Both the Harper and McGuinty governments are struggling to convince the troubled middle class that they know how to make the province great again. That struggle is all the fiercer because those same voters are responsible for electing both of them.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Kitchener finds its new groove in industrial past
Before they purchased a hulking former leather tannery in Kitchener ` a symbol of disappearing traditional Ontario jobs in the city`s core ` two Toronto-based developers asked to meet with this city`s planners.
When they arrived, Cadan Inc. partners Lana Sherman and Gary Maister were greeted by a contingent of top city officials and Mayor Carl Zehr, who broke off his vacation to head the meeting in the summer of 2007.
Read the full article here.
Before they purchased a hulking former leather tannery in Kitchener ` a symbol of disappearing traditional Ontario jobs in the city`s core ` two Toronto-based developers asked to meet with this city`s planners.
When they arrived, Cadan Inc. partners Lana Sherman and Gary Maister were greeted by a contingent of top city officials and Mayor Carl Zehr, who broke off his vacation to head the meeting in the summer of 2007.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Manufacturing gains could boost sluggish job growth
OTTAWA ` Canada's manufacturing sector gained strength in March, bucking the trend of softening conditions in Europe and Asia and boding well for employment gains ahead, according to economic reports released Monday.
RBC's Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a broad measure of the health of the industry, rose to a reading of 52.4 in March from 51.8 in February largely on the strength of greater client demand. The 50 mark separates contraction from expansion.
Read the full article here.
OTTAWA ` Canada's manufacturing sector gained strength in March, bucking the trend of softening conditions in Europe and Asia and boding well for employment gains ahead, according to economic reports released Monday.
RBC's Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a broad measure of the health of the industry, rose to a reading of 52.4 in March from 51.8 in February largely on the strength of greater client demand. The 50 mark separates contraction from expansion.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Mark Carney offers optimism
Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of Canada, says the Canadian economy is improving and Waterloo Region is one to watch for sustainable economic growth.
According to Carney, who offered cautious optimism on the national economy, Waterloo Region is one of the top economies in the country.
"The dynamism of this region is a good example of what we need to do across Canada to continue to renew, not just individual companies, but our economy."
The praise comes less than a week after federal and provincial budgets that emphasized cutting costs while still boosting economic growth
Read the full article here.
Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of Canada, says the Canadian economy is improving and Waterloo Region is one to watch for sustainable economic growth.
According to Carney, who offered cautious optimism on the national economy, Waterloo Region is one of the top economies in the country.
"The dynamism of this region is a good example of what we need to do across Canada to continue to renew, not just individual companies, but our economy."
The praise comes less than a week after federal and provincial budgets that emphasized cutting costs while still boosting economic growth
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Average GTA house over $5,000
The average GTA house price now hovers at over half a million dollars, up 10.5 per cent from March of last year.
Low interest rates and a shortage of homes for sale continue to propel prices skyward and fuel bidding wars that have now become virtually de rigueur in many Toronto neighbourhoods.
That combination of factors helped push prices to an average $504,117 across the GTA and to almost $550,000 in the Toronto 416 regions in March, up from $456,234 and $498,050 respectively a year ago, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) analysis of almost 10,000 sales across the region in March.
Read the full article here.
The average GTA house price now hovers at over half a million dollars, up 10.5 per cent from March of last year.
Low interest rates and a shortage of homes for sale continue to propel prices skyward and fuel bidding wars that have now become virtually de rigueur in many Toronto neighbourhoods.
That combination of factors helped push prices to an average $504,117 across the GTA and to almost $550,000 in the Toronto 416 regions in March, up from $456,234 and $498,050 respectively a year ago, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) analysis of almost 10,000 sales across the region in March.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
How to win a real estate bidding war
With fewer sellers and high demand for housing in the GTA, bidding wars are back as the spring market gets under way. But for buyers these auctions are stressful and fraught with dangers, not the least of which is that you may end up paying too much for a house and go on to regret it.
Read the full article here.
With fewer sellers and high demand for housing in the GTA, bidding wars are back as the spring market gets under way. But for buyers these auctions are stressful and fraught with dangers, not the least of which is that you may end up paying too much for a house and go on to regret it.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Canadian autosales up 2.8% in March
TORONTO Canadian auto sales rose a modest 2.8 per cent in March as consumers bought more new cars than a year earlier, offsetting a slight decline in truck sales.
Automakers sold some 157,750 vehicles for the month, compared to 153,485 in March a year ago, according to data from DesRosiers Auto Consultants.
A 6.5-per cent boost in car sales more than offset a drop in truck sales of 0.3 per cent.
Read the full article here.
TORONTO Canadian auto sales rose a modest 2.8 per cent in March as consumers bought more new cars than a year earlier, offsetting a slight decline in truck sales.
Automakers sold some 157,750 vehicles for the month, compared to 153,485 in March a year ago, according to data from DesRosiers Auto Consultants.
A 6.5-per cent boost in car sales more than offset a drop in truck sales of 0.3 per cent.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Growth rate of Ontario economy cut almost in half
The financial downturn gripping the world last year took a further toll in Ontario, where economic growth slowed to 1.8 per cent ` just over half the 3 per cent pace set in 2010, the finance ministry reported Wednesday.
That annual growth rate was lower than Canada as a whole at 2.5 per cent but slightly higher than the United States at 1.7 per cent.
Read the full article here.
The financial downturn gripping the world last year took a further toll in Ontario, where economic growth slowed to 1.8 per cent ` just over half the 3 per cent pace set in 2010, the finance ministry reported Wednesday.
That annual growth rate was lower than Canada as a whole at 2.5 per cent but slightly higher than the United States at 1.7 per cent.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
New home prices in the GTA affected by lack of inventory
If you`re shopping for a new detached, semi-detached or townhouse, and it feels like you`ve got fewer options to select from, and that all of them are pretty expensive, you`re right.
Supply in the lowrise segment ` which includes detached, semi-detached, townhomes and link homes ` has declined steadily in the last decade, but has been declining rapidly over the last five years.
Read the full article here.
If you`re shopping for a new detached, semi-detached or townhouse, and it feels like you`ve got fewer options to select from, and that all of them are pretty expensive, you`re right.
Supply in the lowrise segment ` which includes detached, semi-detached, townhomes and link homes ` has declined steadily in the last decade, but has been declining rapidly over the last five years.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Barry looks at second suites, affordable units
BARRIE - Barrie is working to create more affordable housing ` both in response to need and to an Ontario law.
Policy planner Ross Cotton said while it`s tough to get an affordable apartment, it could get tougher, as the city deals with more requests to convert buildings to condos and as some units get demolished.
`The CMHC is projecting our vacancy rate will get worse this year. It will go down to 1.5 per cent, instead of 1.7 per cent,` said Cotton, who is coordinating the creation of an affordable housing strategy.
The reality is even starker, however, for those looking for two or three-bedroom units. The vacancy rate is 1.3 per cent for two bedrooms and 0.0 for three or more bedrooms, the CMHC reported last year. In comparison to other Ontario cities, Barrie has the lowest vacancy rate for two and three-plus bedrooms.
`These vacancy rate numbers are markers indicating in particular the need for family-sized rental units,` Cotton said.
Read the full article here.
BARRIE - Barrie is working to create more affordable housing ` both in response to need and to an Ontario law.
Policy planner Ross Cotton said while it`s tough to get an affordable apartment, it could get tougher, as the city deals with more requests to convert buildings to condos and as some units get demolished.
`The CMHC is projecting our vacancy rate will get worse this year. It will go down to 1.5 per cent, instead of 1.7 per cent,` said Cotton, who is coordinating the creation of an affordable housing strategy.
The reality is even starker, however, for those looking for two or three-bedroom units. The vacancy rate is 1.3 per cent for two bedrooms and 0.0 for three or more bedrooms, the CMHC reported last year. In comparison to other Ontario cities, Barrie has the lowest vacancy rate for two and three-plus bedrooms.
`These vacancy rate numbers are markers indicating in particular the need for family-sized rental units,` Cotton said.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Toronto's condo boom continues after record 2011
If the recently launched INDX project in the heart of Toronto`s financial district is any indication of the state of the city`s condo market, then this year could prove to be even more bullish than last as the core continues to creep toward the heavens.
INDX is among some 27 new condo projects that have launched just since January across the GTA. That`s up from 17 during the first three months of 2011, according to market research firm Urbanation ` and that turned out to be a record year for the condo industry across the GTA, far outpacing all predictions.
Read the full article here.
If the recently launched INDX project in the heart of Toronto`s financial district is any indication of the state of the city`s condo market, then this year could prove to be even more bullish than last as the core continues to creep toward the heavens.
INDX is among some 27 new condo projects that have launched just since January across the GTA. That`s up from 17 during the first three months of 2011, according to market research firm Urbanation ` and that turned out to be a record year for the condo industry across the GTA, far outpacing all predictions.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Ottawa's aiport land development set to take off
"This was the best site by far," he says. "Once we chose this site, we never looked back."
During construction, contractors building the CE Centre had to be pioneers in servicing the land, installing pipes from its location at Uplands Drive and Aviation Parkway all the way to Hunt Club Road, says Mr. McCrann, also president of the CE Centre.
"It's very expensive to do that but it's done," he says. "The next guy coming in doesn't have to worry about that."
Read the full article here.
"This was the best site by far," he says. "Once we chose this site, we never looked back."
During construction, contractors building the CE Centre had to be pioneers in servicing the land, installing pipes from its location at Uplands Drive and Aviation Parkway all the way to Hunt Club Road, says Mr. McCrann, also president of the CE Centre.
"It's very expensive to do that but it's done," he says. "The next guy coming in doesn't have to worry about that."
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Ottawa resales up 13% in March
The sales of 1,396 that month is above the five-year average of 1,276 in March.
"With interest rates continuing to be low, it is no surprise that the market remains healthy and balanced," stated Ansel Clarke, president of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
Read the full article here.
The sales of 1,396 that month is above the five-year average of 1,276 in March.
"With interest rates continuing to be low, it is no surprise that the market remains healthy and balanced," stated Ansel Clarke, president of the Ottawa Real Estate Board.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Unemployment flat in Ottawa-Gatineau
Statistics Canada numbers showed 3,400 more people working in March than in February, but that was negated by the labour force growing by 3,800 people, approximately the same rate.
However, the national capital region has seen an overall gain in jobs since the beginning of 2012, with 16,400 more jobs created ` an increase of 2.4 per cent.
Read the full article here.
Statistics Canada numbers showed 3,400 more people working in March than in February, but that was negated by the labour force growing by 3,800 people, approximately the same rate.
However, the national capital region has seen an overall gain in jobs since the beginning of 2012, with 16,400 more jobs created ` an increase of 2.4 per cent.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Metrolinx set to reveal plans for Finch and Sheppard
After months of wrangling over LRTs and subways at Toronto city hall, residents will get their first sense of how the province may proceed later this month.
On April 25, Metrolinx, the provincial agency tasked with improving the co-ordination and integration of transit in the Greater Toronto Region and Hamilton, will make public its detailed recommendations to cabinet on new transit for Eglinton, Sheppard East, Finch West and Scarborough.
In February and March, city council rejected Mayor Rob Ford`s unfunded plan to scrap LRTs in favour of subways in Toronto. Instead, council told Metrolinx to proceed as originally proposed with 11 kilometres underground on Eglinton between Black Creek Dr. and Laird Dr., and on the surface the rest of the way.
Read the full article here.
After months of wrangling over LRTs and subways at Toronto city hall, residents will get their first sense of how the province may proceed later this month.
On April 25, Metrolinx, the provincial agency tasked with improving the co-ordination and integration of transit in the Greater Toronto Region and Hamilton, will make public its detailed recommendations to cabinet on new transit for Eglinton, Sheppard East, Finch West and Scarborough.
In February and March, city council rejected Mayor Rob Ford`s unfunded plan to scrap LRTs in favour of subways in Toronto. Instead, council told Metrolinx to proceed as originally proposed with 11 kilometres underground on Eglinton between Black Creek Dr. and Laird Dr., and on the surface the rest of the way.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Washington stands by Blackberry
While it may have lost its footing in the key U.S. consumer market, the BlackBerry is gaining ground among U.S. federal government employees.
`Government sales are up over the last 18 months . . . government business is stable,` Scott Totzke, senior vice-president of BlackBerry security, said in an email.
`Based on what we know about government employment, RIM`s stable to slightly up sales would seem to indicate an increase in market share.`
Read the full article here.
While it may have lost its footing in the key U.S. consumer market, the BlackBerry is gaining ground among U.S. federal government employees.
`Government sales are up over the last 18 months . . . government business is stable,` Scott Totzke, senior vice-president of BlackBerry security, said in an email.
`Based on what we know about government employment, RIM`s stable to slightly up sales would seem to indicate an increase in market share.`
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Kitchener-Waterloo LRT to open in 2017
WATERLOO REGION ` A new study says street-level trains won`t be more jarring or noisy than normal traffic and won`t cause major gridlock as cars are displaced.
Rail transit launches in 2017 in Kitchener and Waterloo at a cost of $818 million.
`We don`t see significant issues with traffic or with noise or vibration,` said Thomas Schmidt, the regional transportation commissioner.
Read the full article here.
WATERLOO REGION ` A new study says street-level trains won`t be more jarring or noisy than normal traffic and won`t cause major gridlock as cars are displaced.
Rail transit launches in 2017 in Kitchener and Waterloo at a cost of $818 million.
`We don`t see significant issues with traffic or with noise or vibration,` said Thomas Schmidt, the regional transportation commissioner.
Read the full article here.