August 2011 Miscellaneous Economic Fundamentals
- Thread starter Ally
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- Mar 24, 2009
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Attracting the entrepreneurial immigrant
With a low birth rate, Canada will need immigrants to help drive economic growth. But does our system reward the immigrants most likely to create that growth?
We want skilled workers, or so goes the mantra. But the set of skills most likely to create jobs ` entrepreneurship, or that intangible mix of creativity, personal drive and business acumen ` gets short shrift in our immigration system.
Read the full article here.
With a low birth rate, Canada will need immigrants to help drive economic growth. But does our system reward the immigrants most likely to create that growth?
We want skilled workers, or so goes the mantra. But the set of skills most likely to create jobs ` entrepreneurship, or that intangible mix of creativity, personal drive and business acumen ` gets short shrift in our immigration system.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
5 way to enhance your curb appeal
It`s not only the inside that counts` You`ve already cleared out the basement, decluttered the kids` rooms and tucked away all the artwork from the fridge. But as a seller, you want potential buyers to instantly fall in love with the outside of your house, too. Here are my top five suggestions for fast fixes to enhance the curb appeal of any home.
1 Take a look around ` and up
Most new homeowners want to spend their money on furniture or kitchen appliances, not a new roof. So consider doing that before you sell. Despite the investment, a new roof adds great curbside appeal, and the best part is you can often transfer the roof`s warranty to the new homeowner.
2 Consider budget-friendly fixes
Painting old shutters, front porches, window boxes, doors and decks is really a no-brainer. To ensure your efforts aren`t in vain, prep the area properly and use the right paint products. Talk to an expert at your local paint store and transform a weary-looking exterior on an affordable budget. While you`re at it, look into having any broken glass replaced in windows, as well.
Read the full article here.
It`s not only the inside that counts` You`ve already cleared out the basement, decluttered the kids` rooms and tucked away all the artwork from the fridge. But as a seller, you want potential buyers to instantly fall in love with the outside of your house, too. Here are my top five suggestions for fast fixes to enhance the curb appeal of any home.
1 Take a look around ` and up
Most new homeowners want to spend their money on furniture or kitchen appliances, not a new roof. So consider doing that before you sell. Despite the investment, a new roof adds great curbside appeal, and the best part is you can often transfer the roof`s warranty to the new homeowner.
2 Consider budget-friendly fixes
Painting old shutters, front porches, window boxes, doors and decks is really a no-brainer. To ensure your efforts aren`t in vain, prep the area properly and use the right paint products. Talk to an expert at your local paint store and transform a weary-looking exterior on an affordable budget. While you`re at it, look into having any broken glass replaced in windows, as well.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
REALTORS: Rebate would curb growth of underground economy
A recent study conducted by Ipsos Reid revealed that home owners rated the `freedom to do what they want` with their home as the second biggest benefit to home ownership, right behind `building equity` and just ahead of `stability.`
It is no surprise then that home renovations undertaken by Ontario`s 3.2 million home owners produced over $20.3 billion in economic activity last year. Unfortunately, a large amount of home renovation work in this province is conducted visa-vi the `cash deal` or through the underground economy. According to housing experts at Altus Group, 37 per cent or $5.2 billion of the output from the provincial home renovation industry in 2010 was conducted through the underground economy.
Unscrupulous workers hurt the reputations and competitiveness of legitimate renovation contractors and cheat governments out of billions of dollars. The Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) estimates that the underground home renovation economy causes the loss of up to $298 million in HST revenue annually, $1.6 billion in income tax revenue annually and $767 million in other revenues such as CPP, WSIB, Employer Health Tax and Employment Insurance Premiums.
Read the full article here.
A recent study conducted by Ipsos Reid revealed that home owners rated the `freedom to do what they want` with their home as the second biggest benefit to home ownership, right behind `building equity` and just ahead of `stability.`
It is no surprise then that home renovations undertaken by Ontario`s 3.2 million home owners produced over $20.3 billion in economic activity last year. Unfortunately, a large amount of home renovation work in this province is conducted visa-vi the `cash deal` or through the underground economy. According to housing experts at Altus Group, 37 per cent or $5.2 billion of the output from the provincial home renovation industry in 2010 was conducted through the underground economy.
Unscrupulous workers hurt the reputations and competitiveness of legitimate renovation contractors and cheat governments out of billions of dollars. The Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) estimates that the underground home renovation economy causes the loss of up to $298 million in HST revenue annually, $1.6 billion in income tax revenue annually and $767 million in other revenues such as CPP, WSIB, Employer Health Tax and Employment Insurance Premiums.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Got a secure job and lots of debt? Rejoice
The debt problems in the United States and Europe have taken the pressure off Canadians with mega-mortgages and credit lines that are over the line.
Remember how Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty were warning not too long ago that high personal debt levels could become unmanageable when interest rates moved higher? Well, interest rates aren`t going anywhere for now.
That`s the view of economists following the worsening of the debt crisis in some European countries and the continuing difficulties the U.S. economy is having.
Read the full article here.
The debt problems in the United States and Europe have taken the pressure off Canadians with mega-mortgages and credit lines that are over the line.
Remember how Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty were warning not too long ago that high personal debt levels could become unmanageable when interest rates moved higher? Well, interest rates aren`t going anywhere for now.
That`s the view of economists following the worsening of the debt crisis in some European countries and the continuing difficulties the U.S. economy is having.
Read the full article here.