March 2012 Prairie Economic Fundamentals
- Thread starter Ally
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Finding a job in Estevan just got a little easier
Estevan is bursting with job opportunities, and there is work for everyone in the Energy City.
To help bring employers and job seekers together, the Estevan Shoppers Mall will be hosting a job fair at the start of March.
Jane Howard, marketing director at the mall, said it seems that jobs outnumber the unemployed five to one in the city, but there are still people who are looking for work.
Part of the problem for those looking for work is that there are just too many opportunities in the southeast, said Howard.
Read the full article here.
Estevan is bursting with job opportunities, and there is work for everyone in the Energy City.
To help bring employers and job seekers together, the Estevan Shoppers Mall will be hosting a job fair at the start of March.
Jane Howard, marketing director at the mall, said it seems that jobs outnumber the unemployed five to one in the city, but there are still people who are looking for work.
Part of the problem for those looking for work is that there are just too many opportunities in the southeast, said Howard.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Saskatchewan premier and Minister Norris inviting labour, investment from Europe
Premier Brad Wall departs today for London, U.K. where he will spend two days outlining the Saskatchewan Advantage to investors March 1-2. He will then join Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris in Dublin, Ireland on March 3 at a labour recruitment mission to help fill the ranks of the province's skilled workforce.
"In this time of economic turmoil and uncertainty European investors and businesses are looking for a safe, stable and secure financial climate, and Saskatchewan is a wise choice," Wall said. "Billions are already being invested in our province over the next decade, and we're inviting others to come and join in the opportunity and excitement."
Read the full article here.
Premier Brad Wall departs today for London, U.K. where he will spend two days outlining the Saskatchewan Advantage to investors March 1-2. He will then join Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris in Dublin, Ireland on March 3 at a labour recruitment mission to help fill the ranks of the province's skilled workforce.
"In this time of economic turmoil and uncertainty European investors and businesses are looking for a safe, stable and secure financial climate, and Saskatchewan is a wise choice," Wall said. "Billions are already being invested in our province over the next decade, and we're inviting others to come and join in the opportunity and excitement."
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Ireland trip part of bigger plan, says Wall
Travelling to Ireland to recruit people to Saskatchewan isn't being done at the expense of training more aboriginal workers at home, Premier Brad Wall says.
The premier said the province needs to do both of those things - as well as entice former residents back to Saskatchewan - in order to meet labour demand.
"This is not an either or proposition. The numbers speak to that. I think industry is telling us that.
Read the full article here.
Travelling to Ireland to recruit people to Saskatchewan isn't being done at the expense of training more aboriginal workers at home, Premier Brad Wall says.
The premier said the province needs to do both of those things - as well as entice former residents back to Saskatchewan - in order to meet labour demand.
"This is not an either or proposition. The numbers speak to that. I think industry is telling us that.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Natgas rig count hits 31-month high
The number of rigs drilling for natural gas in the United States fell for the eighth straight week this week as producers continued a slow dry gas drilling operations in the face of low prices.
The gas-directed rig count slid by 19 to 691, its lowest since August 2009, according to data from Houston-based oil services firm Baker Hughes on Friday.
Record-high supplies and weak demand during one of the mildest winters on record helped drive gas prices to 10-year lows in January, prompting several producers to cut back.
Read the full article here.
The number of rigs drilling for natural gas in the United States fell for the eighth straight week this week as producers continued a slow dry gas drilling operations in the face of low prices.
The gas-directed rig count slid by 19 to 691, its lowest since August 2009, according to data from Houston-based oil services firm Baker Hughes on Friday.
Record-high supplies and weak demand during one of the mildest winters on record helped drive gas prices to 10-year lows in January, prompting several producers to cut back.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Saskatoon forecast shows no slowing in development
Development should remain strong in Saskatoon across all commercial real estate sectors in 2012, according to a new real estate forecast by Colliers International.
Tom McClocklin, president of Colliers McClocklin Real Estate Corp., said the vacancy in all asset classes will remain low in 2012, rental rates will be stable or even rise and development will continue in industrial, retail and office sectors.
Read the full article here.
Development should remain strong in Saskatoon across all commercial real estate sectors in 2012, according to a new real estate forecast by Colliers International.
Tom McClocklin, president of Colliers McClocklin Real Estate Corp., said the vacancy in all asset classes will remain low in 2012, rental rates will be stable or even rise and development will continue in industrial, retail and office sectors.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
CMHC predicts steady growth for Saskatchewan
A positive economic environment, job creation and a low unemployment rate will fuel housing demand in Saskatchewan for the next two years, leading to steady growth in the market, a housing outlook conference in Saskatoon heard.
"All of the drivers of housing demand are showing growth," Lai Sing Louie, regional economist for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., told a packed room Tuesday at a downtown hotel.
"Coming into 2012 there is a lot of momentum in the marketplace."
Read the full article here.
A positive economic environment, job creation and a low unemployment rate will fuel housing demand in Saskatchewan for the next two years, leading to steady growth in the market, a housing outlook conference in Saskatoon heard.
"All of the drivers of housing demand are showing growth," Lai Sing Louie, regional economist for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., told a packed room Tuesday at a downtown hotel.
"Coming into 2012 there is a lot of momentum in the marketplace."
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Saskatchewan's housing affordability brightens: RBC
TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Housing affordability continued to improve across most types of housing in Saskatchewan during the last quarter of 2011, according to the latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report issued today by RBC Economics Research.
"For the second quarter in a row, owning a home in Saskatchewan became a little easier for buyers," said Robert Hogue, senior economist, RBC. "For the most part, housing in the province is as affordable as it has been on average over the long term - affordability is unlikely to be much of a deterrent in the near term."
RBC's housing affordability measures for Saskatchewan, which capture the province's proportion of pre-tax household income that would be needed to service the costs of owning a home at the going market value, decreased modestly in two of three categories of homes (a decrease represents an improvement in affordability). The measure for the benchmark detached bungalow in the province fell to 37.9 per cent (a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter), while the standard condominium eased to 25.6 per cent (down 0.3 percentage points). The measure for a standard two-storey home moved in the opposite direction, rising to 41.7 per cent (a rise of 0.3 percentage points).
Read the full article here.
TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Housing affordability continued to improve across most types of housing in Saskatchewan during the last quarter of 2011, according to the latest Housing Trends and Affordability Report issued today by RBC Economics Research.
"For the second quarter in a row, owning a home in Saskatchewan became a little easier for buyers," said Robert Hogue, senior economist, RBC. "For the most part, housing in the province is as affordable as it has been on average over the long term - affordability is unlikely to be much of a deterrent in the near term."
RBC's housing affordability measures for Saskatchewan, which capture the province's proportion of pre-tax household income that would be needed to service the costs of owning a home at the going market value, decreased modestly in two of three categories of homes (a decrease represents an improvement in affordability). The measure for the benchmark detached bungalow in the province fell to 37.9 per cent (a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter), while the standard condominium eased to 25.6 per cent (down 0.3 percentage points). The measure for a standard two-storey home moved in the opposite direction, rising to 41.7 per cent (a rise of 0.3 percentage points).
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Prairies to lose nearly 15,000 jobs in the wake of planned federal budget cuts
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 7, 2012) - Nearly 15,000 workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will lose their jobs if the Canadian government follows through on its plan to cut more than $8 billion in spending from its forthcoming budget.
In addition to these job losses, the region's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by $1.4 billion, which could slow down the regional economy.
Alberta will be the hardest hit of the Prairie provinces, with 8,000 Albertans losing their jobs and the province's GDP shrinking by $786 million.
Read the full article here.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 7, 2012) - Nearly 15,000 workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will lose their jobs if the Canadian government follows through on its plan to cut more than $8 billion in spending from its forthcoming budget.
In addition to these job losses, the region's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by $1.4 billion, which could slow down the regional economy.
Alberta will be the hardest hit of the Prairie provinces, with 8,000 Albertans losing their jobs and the province's GDP shrinking by $786 million.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Housing starts look good for Saskatchewan
Housing starts for the first two months of 2012 in Saskatchewan were one third higher than in 2011, on pace to another strong building season as predicted. The Saskatoon region increased activity in the single family market, following a year of record-breaking multi- unit activity. The Regina region showed strong increases in both markets, with an 85 percent increase overall in the first two months over 2011.
Activity in the multi-unit market in the Regina region was significantly higher, which is positive news for the low rental vacancy rate.
The recently released 2011 Census data for Saskatoon and Regina indicated that the number of housing starts is backed by substantial population growth. Population in the Regina CMA grew by 8 percent, while the Saskatoon region grew by an impressive 11 percent. Strong employment statistics and business growth in both regions has driven these population gains and Saskatchewan`s national and international reputation as an economic powerhouse is well recognized.
Read the full article here.
Housing starts for the first two months of 2012 in Saskatchewan were one third higher than in 2011, on pace to another strong building season as predicted. The Saskatoon region increased activity in the single family market, following a year of record-breaking multi- unit activity. The Regina region showed strong increases in both markets, with an 85 percent increase overall in the first two months over 2011.
Activity in the multi-unit market in the Regina region was significantly higher, which is positive news for the low rental vacancy rate.
The recently released 2011 Census data for Saskatoon and Regina indicated that the number of housing starts is backed by substantial population growth. Population in the Regina CMA grew by 8 percent, while the Saskatoon region grew by an impressive 11 percent. Strong employment statistics and business growth in both regions has driven these population gains and Saskatchewan`s national and international reputation as an economic powerhouse is well recognized.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Protest fails to halt North Ridge Developments
North Ridge Developments can proceed with a contentious apartment complex on the edge of historic Montgomery Place despite a groundswell of criticism from residents.
More than 150 residents of the small neighbourhood packed an overflowing council chambers Monday night for the second time to protest the developer's plans to sell a piece of land B.C.-based Seymour Pacific to build a four-storey 192-unit development on 11th Street West. The plans for the full 18 acres of land will see a number of four-storey apartment complexes and townhouses, totalling 685 units.
Read the full article here.
North Ridge Developments can proceed with a contentious apartment complex on the edge of historic Montgomery Place despite a groundswell of criticism from residents.
More than 150 residents of the small neighbourhood packed an overflowing council chambers Monday night for the second time to protest the developer's plans to sell a piece of land B.C.-based Seymour Pacific to build a four-storey 192-unit development on 11th Street West. The plans for the full 18 acres of land will see a number of four-storey apartment complexes and townhouses, totalling 685 units.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
MOU agreement for Onion Lake
The Onion Lake Cree Nation's Onion Lake Energy will announce today an economic treaty between three Alberta First Nations to build capacity in the oil and gas sector.
The Onion Lake Cree Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation, Drift Pile First Nation and Ermineskin Cree Nation are partnering to form Wanska Energy Alliance.
Read the full article here.
The Onion Lake Cree Nation's Onion Lake Energy will announce today an economic treaty between three Alberta First Nations to build capacity in the oil and gas sector.
The Onion Lake Cree Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation, Drift Pile First Nation and Ermineskin Cree Nation are partnering to form Wanska Energy Alliance.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Pre-fabricated apartments going up in Regina
Regina`s rental market has been one of the tightest in the country for a few years, now one local company is working on a different solution and from a distance it looks like a giant block set.
Prefabricated buildings are taking off in Regina, transforming holes into homes in record time.
Construction on one of these four story apartment buildings started in Harbour Landing on Monday and in eight days it will look nearly complete from the outside.
Read the full article here.
Regina`s rental market has been one of the tightest in the country for a few years, now one local company is working on a different solution and from a distance it looks like a giant block set.
Prefabricated buildings are taking off in Regina, transforming holes into homes in record time.
Construction on one of these four story apartment buildings started in Harbour Landing on Monday and in eight days it will look nearly complete from the outside.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
RBC outlook predicts Saskatchewan will lead economic growth
The Royal Bank of Canada is picking Saskatchewan to lead all provinces in economic growth both this year and next.
In the provincial outlook report, RBC states rising demand for Saskatchewan natural resources will push the real GDP up by 4.6 per cent this year and by 4.7 per cent in 2013.
RBC says Saskatchewan is poised for a streak of standout growth to stay firmly at the forefront of the economic surge in western Canada. The optimism comes from a boom in mining, commodities and investment in projects related to resources like potash.
Read the full article here.
The Royal Bank of Canada is picking Saskatchewan to lead all provinces in economic growth both this year and next.
In the provincial outlook report, RBC states rising demand for Saskatchewan natural resources will push the real GDP up by 4.6 per cent this year and by 4.7 per cent in 2013.
RBC says Saskatchewan is poised for a streak of standout growth to stay firmly at the forefront of the economic surge in western Canada. The optimism comes from a boom in mining, commodities and investment in projects related to resources like potash.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Businesses give enthusiastic reception to Saskatchewan apartment plan
REGINA ` Business groups gave an enthusiastic reception to provincial government plans to get private developers building apartment buildings by reducing the corporate tax payable on income from them.
`We think the government is `bang on` here,` said Alan Thomarat, CEO of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Home Builders` Association. `Any of the money that they`ll have forsaken with respect to revenue collection from taxation, they`re going to get back at least threefold as far as we`re concerned ` in job creation, in the consumption taxes and the project development and in our ability to continue to make sure that there`s housing for the growing labour force we need here.`
Read the full article here.
REGINA ` Business groups gave an enthusiastic reception to provincial government plans to get private developers building apartment buildings by reducing the corporate tax payable on income from them.
`We think the government is `bang on` here,` said Alan Thomarat, CEO of the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Home Builders` Association. `Any of the money that they`ll have forsaken with respect to revenue collection from taxation, they`re going to get back at least threefold as far as we`re concerned ` in job creation, in the consumption taxes and the project development and in our ability to continue to make sure that there`s housing for the growing labour force we need here.`
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Winnipeg most cost-competitive city: Study
Winnipeg tops the list as the most cost-competitive city out of 25 western Canadian and Midwest U.S. cities according to a comprehensive annual study by KPMG.
The study examines 26 key business cost elements, including labour, taxes, real estate and utilities.
Winnipeg came out ahead in the region where Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis were the most expensive.
The index scores showed Winnipeg with a slight advantage over Sioux Falls, S.D. and Cheyenne, Wyo.
Winnipeg had an index score of 94.8 (100 is the baseline average using the average scores of the four largest U.S. metro areas ` New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth.)
Read the full article here.
Winnipeg tops the list as the most cost-competitive city out of 25 western Canadian and Midwest U.S. cities according to a comprehensive annual study by KPMG.
The study examines 26 key business cost elements, including labour, taxes, real estate and utilities.
Winnipeg came out ahead in the region where Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis were the most expensive.
The index scores showed Winnipeg with a slight advantage over Sioux Falls, S.D. and Cheyenne, Wyo.
Winnipeg had an index score of 94.8 (100 is the baseline average using the average scores of the four largest U.S. metro areas ` New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth.)
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Rental industry rebate in new Saskatchewan budget
In the budget there is a rebate for the rental industry, but renters and local landlords won`t see immediate, direct benefits first hand.
It is building companies that now have incentive to build apartments rather than condos, but not everyone thinks this is the best place to work on the rental industry.
"Let's spread (the wealth) around, let's have a better understanding of where the money really needs to go," said Paula Simon with Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association (SRHIA).
Read the full article here.
In the budget there is a rebate for the rental industry, but renters and local landlords won`t see immediate, direct benefits first hand.
It is building companies that now have incentive to build apartments rather than condos, but not everyone thinks this is the best place to work on the rental industry.
"Let's spread (the wealth) around, let's have a better understanding of where the money really needs to go," said Paula Simon with Saskatchewan Rental Housing Industry Association (SRHIA).
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
More prefab apartments going up
A Regina company is putting a dent in the city's low vacancy rate one unit at a time - quite literally.
Those passing by the Harbour Landing area recently might have been surprised by the sight of apartment buildings being assembled like building blocks. It's a newer style of multi-unit building construction and is being used by Deveraux Homes and Developments as it erects a number of new rental apartment buildings in the city.
"It's just obviously way more complex then a Lego set," said Denis Jones, CEO of development company Deveraux Homes and Developments and operating company Altern Properties.
Read the full article here.
A Regina company is putting a dent in the city's low vacancy rate one unit at a time - quite literally.
Those passing by the Harbour Landing area recently might have been surprised by the sight of apartment buildings being assembled like building blocks. It's a newer style of multi-unit building construction and is being used by Deveraux Homes and Developments as it erects a number of new rental apartment buildings in the city.
"It's just obviously way more complex then a Lego set," said Denis Jones, CEO of development company Deveraux Homes and Developments and operating company Altern Properties.
Read the full article here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Prairie cities to lead economic growth this year: Report
OTTAWA ` Prairie cities, supported by the wealth of natural resources in their provinces, will see economic growth this year that easily outpaces most other places in Canada, according to a report released Tuesday.
The Conference Board of Canada said Saskatoon would lead the country with growth of 3.6% this year. Elsewhere in Saskatchewan, a province with booming potash and oil industries, Regina should see growth of 2.7%, the report said.
`Saskatchewan`s mining sector continues to forge ahead, with expansion of 5.8% and 7.7% forecast this year and next,` the Conference Board said.
Read the ful larticle here.
OTTAWA ` Prairie cities, supported by the wealth of natural resources in their provinces, will see economic growth this year that easily outpaces most other places in Canada, according to a report released Tuesday.
The Conference Board of Canada said Saskatoon would lead the country with growth of 3.6% this year. Elsewhere in Saskatchewan, a province with booming potash and oil industries, Regina should see growth of 2.7%, the report said.
`Saskatchewan`s mining sector continues to forge ahead, with expansion of 5.8% and 7.7% forecast this year and next,` the Conference Board said.
Read the ful larticle here.
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2009
- Messages
- 16,743
Prairie cities to lead economic growth this year
OTTAWA ` Prairie cities, supported by the wealth of natural resources in their provinces, will see economic growth this year that easily outpaces most other places in Canada, according to a report released Tuesday.
The Conference Board of Canada said Saskatoon would lead the country with growth of 3.6% this year. Elsewhere in Saskatchewan, a province with booming potash and oil industries, Regina should see growth of 2.7%, the report said.
`Saskatchewan`s mining sector continues to forge ahead, with expansion of 5.8% and 7.7% forecast this year and next,` the Conference Board said.
Read the full article here.
OTTAWA ` Prairie cities, supported by the wealth of natural resources in their provinces, will see economic growth this year that easily outpaces most other places in Canada, according to a report released Tuesday.
The Conference Board of Canada said Saskatoon would lead the country with growth of 3.6% this year. Elsewhere in Saskatchewan, a province with booming potash and oil industries, Regina should see growth of 2.7%, the report said.
`Saskatchewan`s mining sector continues to forge ahead, with expansion of 5.8% and 7.7% forecast this year and next,` the Conference Board said.
Read the full article here.