What does 2024 have in store for the Canadian economy?

It’s been a long time since economic data in Canada showed very much promise. The last 18 months have been defined by a cost of living crisis and a slowing economy. But a handful of economic indicators give us some hope for 2024. Inflation has slowed dramatically, and the economy didn’t actually slip into recession. … Read more

2023 was a year of turmoil

With the books closed on 2023 it’s fair to say it was a year filled with turmoil both domestically and internationally. The nation began the year with egg prices sitting at historic highs, struggling to overcome the lingering impacts of inflation, and dealing with increased energy prices driven by COVID-19 recovery and a war in … Read more

The year in figures and charts – POLITICO

2023 was marked by crisis, transition and conflict. As the war in Ukraine dragged into its second year, the EU was confronted with yet another conflict on its doorstep: The Israel-Hamas war, which brought fresh instability to the Middle East and exacerbated divisions between EU countries. Europe now heads into a big election year and … Read more

After years of turbulence, small clothing designers struggle for a sustainable model

Amid high inflation, rising operating costs and shrinking Canadian demand, clothing designers in Nova Scotia say they’re struggling to find a sustainable business model. Designers say they’ve had to adjust to significant changes in consumer behaviour, supply chain disruptions and inflation as they’ve navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. “We’ve made a lot of hard decisions. … Read more

2023 was a banner year for video games — and video game industry layoffs

The past calendar year has been a banner one for best-selling, critically acclaimed video games. Blockbuster titles like Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder headlined a year full of critically acclaimed games that sold tens of millions of copies. But behind the screens, the games industry has been in a dramatic … Read more

Renters tighten purse strings as prices in Alberta grow at fastest pace in 40 years

Nikkie Miranda feels stuck and frustrated, weighing what she’ll have to sacrifice when her rent increases again this winter. Three years ago, when she moved into a two-storey, three-bedroom semi-detached home in southwest Edmonton, Miranda paid $1,650 per month in rent. Her rent later increased to $1,800 and will go up again to $1,950 when … Read more

Threats to banks are ‘their own stupidity,’ AI

Outgoing Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman ripped banks’ “stupidity of their own management” as one of the top threats facing Wall Street — right alongside artificial intelligence. When reflecting on his nearly 14-year tenure at Morgan Stanley to the Financial Times, Gorman — who has less than two weeks left at the firm — said … Read more

Energy Bills Predicted To Fall To £1,660 From April, A New Forecast Suggests

Annual energy bills for a typical household are expected to fall to £1,660 between April and June next year, according to a new forecast. Consultancy firm Cornwall Insight says bills could drop by £268 a 16 per cent decrease – in line with the official price cap set by the UK’s energy regulator Ofgem. The … Read more

Outlook good for Canadian oil and gas sector, says industry report, but risks remain

Canada’s upstream oil and gas industry and drilling services sector has a “very favourable” outlook for 2024, according to Enserva’s State of the Industry report released on Thursday. Key highlights of the report show that oil prices are expected to remain strong, demand will be robust, export capacity will increase, and investment and drilling activity are set … Read more

Annual pace of housing starts in Canada down 22% in November, says CMHC

The pace of housing starts in Canada fell by 22 per cent in November, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Friday. The agency says the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts in November came in at 212,624 units, down from 272,264 in October. A housing start is defined as the beginning of construction work … Read more