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Current News
Immigrant labour market outcomes in Canada: The benefits of addressing wage and employment gaps
(18-Jan-12) It is well recognized that immigrants to Canada have higher unemployment rates and lower wages than Canadian-born workers.
(18-Jan-12) It is well recognized that immigrants to Canada have higher unemployment rates and lower wages than Canadian-born workers.
The middle class isn't disappearing, it's moving
(16-Jan-12) The middle class isn’t disappearing, it’s moving.
The point was made with unexpected clarity at the recent Ontario Economic Summit. The occasion was a panel about “urban sustainability.” One of the speakers, former United Way president, Frances Lankin, worried out loud about Toronto’s disappearing middle class. Citing research done by the United Way, University of Toronto’s David Hulchanski and others, the commissioner of the provincial Social Assistance Review Commission sounded the alarm.
(16-Jan-12) The middle class isn’t disappearing, it’s moving.
The point was made with unexpected clarity at the recent Ontario Economic Summit. The occasion was a panel about “urban sustainability.” One of the speakers, former United Way president, Frances Lankin, worried out loud about Toronto’s disappearing middle class. Citing research done by the United Way, University of Toronto’s David Hulchanski and others, the commissioner of the provincial Social Assistance Review Commission sounded the alarm.
Unemployment data analyzes last three recessions and we're better off now than we used to be
(13-Jan-12) It may not feel like it, but Canadian workers fared better in the recent downturn than in earlier recessions, data shows.
Statistics Canada looked at which workers were laid off, both temporary and permanent, in the past three recessions: in the early 1980s, early 1990s and in 2008, which was prompted by the global financial crisis.
(13-Jan-12) It may not feel like it, but Canadian workers fared better in the recent downturn than in earlier recessions, data shows.
Statistics Canada looked at which workers were laid off, both temporary and permanent, in the past three recessions: in the early 1980s, early 1990s and in 2008, which was prompted by the global financial crisis.
Toronto's aging bank towers go green
(13-Jan-12) For decades now the iconic TD Centre and its band of banking neighbours near King and Bay Sts. have been considered Canada’s top “Triple A” address.
Now that they’re getting middle-aged, they’ve got competition.
And it’s coming from the other side of the tracks — the Railway Lands
(13-Jan-12) For decades now the iconic TD Centre and its band of banking neighbours near King and Bay Sts. have been considered Canada’s top “Triple A” address.
Now that they’re getting middle-aged, they’ve got competition.
And it’s coming from the other side of the tracks — the Railway Lands
Strategic Sectors Study
(13-Jan-12) The Toronto Region Research Alliance (TRRA)—a public-private partnership supported by the governments of Ontario and Canada—has released the second publication in its Regional Innovation Cluster series. This newest publication, which profiles Toronto's particular advantages in the life-sciences sector, provides invaluable information to Toronto researchers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.
(13-Jan-12) The Toronto Region Research Alliance (TRRA)—a public-private partnership supported by the governments of Ontario and Canada—has released the second publication in its Regional Innovation Cluster series. This newest publication, which profiles Toronto's particular advantages in the life-sciences sector, provides invaluable information to Toronto researchers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.
How the resource boom is transforming our economy
(20-Dec-11) The Canadian economy has undergone a fairly profound shift over the past 10 years and these changes will have considerable public policy implications as we move into the future.
The biggest change has been the shift in our goods producing economy from value-added manufacturing to non-renewable natural resources development. In 2001, transportation equipment manufacturing accounted for nearly $250 out of every $1,000 worth of exports from Canada (more than $100-billion in total). Based on January to September data, this year transportation equipment will account for only $142 out of every $1,000 worth of exports -- a decline of 42 per cent.
(20-Dec-11) The Canadian economy has undergone a fairly profound shift over the past 10 years and these changes will have considerable public policy implications as we move into the future.
The biggest change has been the shift in our goods producing economy from value-added manufacturing to non-renewable natural resources development. In 2001, transportation equipment manufacturing accounted for nearly $250 out of every $1,000 worth of exports from Canada (more than $100-billion in total). Based on January to September data, this year transportation equipment will account for only $142 out of every $1,000 worth of exports -- a decline of 42 per cent.
Shortchanging immigrants costs Canada
(Toronto -- 19-Dec-11) In her home city of São Paulo, Brazil, Yane Brogiollo was a manager at Hewlett-Packard Co., where she oversaw a team of 15 database professionals. She also designed and taught courses for a local university’s MBA program.
They were “wonderful” jobs, and she earned a good salary. São Paolo was crowded, though, and too big. Crime was escalating. So a year and a half ago, she moved to Vancouver, hoping to find a better quality of life.
(Toronto -- 19-Dec-11) In her home city of São Paulo, Brazil, Yane Brogiollo was a manager at Hewlett-Packard Co., where she oversaw a team of 15 database professionals. She also designed and taught courses for a local university’s MBA program.
They were “wonderful” jobs, and she earned a good salary. São Paolo was crowded, though, and too big. Crime was escalating. So a year and a half ago, she moved to Vancouver, hoping to find a better quality of life.
Immigrants get fewer jobs, earn less
(Toronto -- 19-Dec-11) Despite having generally higher levels of education, new Canadians earn less than their native-born peers and are less likely to have a job.
(Toronto -- 19-Dec-11) Despite having generally higher levels of education, new Canadians earn less than their native-born peers and are less likely to have a job.
More unequal, less complacent
(12-Dec-11) A year ago, the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group coined the phrase “hourglass economy” to describe this city’s labour force with a coterie of well-paid knowledge workers on the top, a swelling mass of low-wage service workers at the bottom, and very little in between.
(12-Dec-11) A year ago, the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group coined the phrase “hourglass economy” to describe this city’s labour force with a coterie of well-paid knowledge workers on the top, a swelling mass of low-wage service workers at the bottom, and very little in between.
Vital Signs
(Toronto -- 4-Oct-11) Over the past 30 years, the Toronto Community Foundation has become a
significant public foundation that is shaping the city of Toronto. Our mission is to
connect philanthropy with community needs and opportunities to ensure the
vitality of Toronto and make it the best place to live, work, learn and grow
through the power of giving.
(Toronto -- 4-Oct-11) Over the past 30 years, the Toronto Community Foundation has become a
significant public foundation that is shaping the city of Toronto. Our mission is to
connect philanthropy with community needs and opportunities to ensure the
vitality of Toronto and make it the best place to live, work, learn and grow
through the power of giving.
5 ways Canada's workforce will change in 20 years
(24-Aug-11) If current trends continue, Canada's labour force is going to change drastically over the next 20 years, Statistics Canada said in a report Wednesday.
(24-Aug-11) If current trends continue, Canada's labour force is going to change drastically over the next 20 years, Statistics Canada said in a report Wednesday.
What kind of immigrants should Canada be selecting?
(8-Aug-11) This week's Time To Lead series looked at immigrant entrepreneurs. What do they need to be successful, and what does need to do attract more of them?
(8-Aug-11) This week's Time To Lead series looked at immigrant entrepreneurs. What do they need to be successful, and what does need to do attract more of them?
The Dragon's Den approach to immigration
(2-Aug-11) Immigration is once again hogging the headlines. Yet, as the Canadian government wages a high-profile campaign to weed out suspected war criminals in our midst, it’s also begun a quieter, more thoughtful consultation with Canadians to reform our current system for selecting new immigrants.
Canadian immigration is, indeed, at the crossroads, and this nationwide consultation is a golden opportunity to further open the doors to those who would make Canada a leader of the 21st-century economy.
(2-Aug-11) Immigration is once again hogging the headlines. Yet, as the Canadian government wages a high-profile campaign to weed out suspected war criminals in our midst, it’s also begun a quieter, more thoughtful consultation with Canadians to reform our current system for selecting new immigrants.
Canadian immigration is, indeed, at the crossroads, and this nationwide consultation is a golden opportunity to further open the doors to those who would make Canada a leader of the 21st-century economy.
5 Jobs that Pay Over $50 K a Year Without a College or University
(22-Mar-11) Maybe you graduated from high school and didn’t have a chance to go to college or university. You’re looking around you and lots of those people who went on to higher education are now making pretty good money. Does your lack of a formal degree really leave you frozen out of higher paying positions?
Not if you’re willing to do some legwork and put your nose to the grindstone. There are more than a few occupations you could go after. Usually you have to learn a trade or study for some other credential, but not always.
(22-Mar-11) Maybe you graduated from high school and didn’t have a chance to go to college or university. You’re looking around you and lots of those people who went on to higher education are now making pretty good money. Does your lack of a formal degree really leave you frozen out of higher paying positions?
Not if you’re willing to do some legwork and put your nose to the grindstone. There are more than a few occupations you could go after. Usually you have to learn a trade or study for some other credential, but not always.
Transitional Careers in a Green Economy
(17-Feb-11) You are invited to
Transitioning to a Green Economy:
The Bottom Line for Ontario’s Businesses
(17-Feb-11) You are invited to
Transitioning to a Green Economy:
The Bottom Line for Ontario’s Businesses
Greater Toronto Summit: We need to think and act like a region
(16-Feb-11) When faced with a tricky problem, most people turn to others for a fresh pair of eyes, a different perspective, and perhaps even an offer to pitch in to help get the problem solved. This “many heads are better than one” approach applies equally well to city-building. Governments have a big role to play in tackling the Toronto region’s challenges, but the best solutions also take advantage of the experience, ideas and resources of people in business, non-profits and labour.
(16-Feb-11) When faced with a tricky problem, most people turn to others for a fresh pair of eyes, a different perspective, and perhaps even an offer to pitch in to help get the problem solved. This “many heads are better than one” approach applies equally well to city-building. Governments have a big role to play in tackling the Toronto region’s challenges, but the best solutions also take advantage of the experience, ideas and resources of people in business, non-profits and labour.
They paved paradise
(Toronto -- 25-Jan-11) Rather than building sprawling residential “communities” that may somehow evolve into more dense areas sometime in the future, as a Durham planner suggests, it is better to build higher density mixed use communities right from the start.
(Toronto -- 25-Jan-11) Rather than building sprawling residential “communities” that may somehow evolve into more dense areas sometime in the future, as a Durham planner suggests, it is better to build higher density mixed use communities right from the start.
McGuinty Government's Plan Laying Foundation for Growth, Investments, Jobs
(Toronto -- 12-Jan-11) Ontario's economy is recovering from the global recession and growing stronger, creating good new jobs for Ontario families.
The McGuinty government's economic plan has been laying the foundation for new growth and helping families and businesses plant Ontario's flag in emerging industries such as clean energy manufacturing and digital media. The plan also includes:
(Toronto -- 12-Jan-11) Ontario's economy is recovering from the global recession and growing stronger, creating good new jobs for Ontario families.
The McGuinty government's economic plan has been laying the foundation for new growth and helping families and businesses plant Ontario's flag in emerging industries such as clean energy manufacturing and digital media. The plan also includes:
Green Living Enterprises cements eco-biz success as they open 7th Green Toronto Awards nominations
(Toronto -- 12-Jan-11) The City of Toronto and its partners at Green Living Enterprises announced a call for nominations last week for the 2011 Green Toronto Awards, which aim to inspire and recognize environmental success. The awards give $5,000 and bragging rights to those who are "leading the way to a greener Toronto" in 10 categories (Green Home, Green Business, Local Food, Community Projects, Energy Conservation, Environmental Awareness, Green Design, Leadership, Water Efficiency and Youth Leadership).
(Toronto -- 12-Jan-11) The City of Toronto and its partners at Green Living Enterprises announced a call for nominations last week for the 2011 Green Toronto Awards, which aim to inspire and recognize environmental success. The awards give $5,000 and bragging rights to those who are "leading the way to a greener Toronto" in 10 categories (Green Home, Green Business, Local Food, Community Projects, Energy Conservation, Environmental Awareness, Green Design, Leadership, Water Efficiency and Youth Leadership).
Bank of Canada sees business outlook improving
(Toronto -- 10-Jan-11) Hiring intentions by Canadian companies over the coming year rebounded strongly in the fourth quarter, the Bank of Canada's quarterly business outlook survey indicated on Monday
(Toronto -- 10-Jan-11) Hiring intentions by Canadian companies over the coming year rebounded strongly in the fourth quarter, the Bank of Canada's quarterly business outlook survey indicated on Monday
Travel numbers bounce back after 2008 downturn
(Toronto -- 10-Jan-11) Tourism spending in Canada has fully recovered from the yearlong downturn that began in the third quarter of 2008, according to the latest figures released Monday by Statistics Canada.
(Toronto -- 10-Jan-11) Tourism spending in Canada has fully recovered from the yearlong downturn that began in the third quarter of 2008, according to the latest figures released Monday by Statistics Canada.
Ontario Attracting High Tech Jobsl
(9-Dec-10) Ontario's plan to cut business taxes and offer tax credits is helping to create the jobs of the future by making the province a great place to launch innovative new companies. The Premier today visited Polar Mobile -- a company that builds and designs applications that run on mobile devices. Started in 2007 in Waterloo, it has quickly grown to become a world-leader in helping entertainment, sports and non-profit organizations reach new audiences. The company has doubled in size in the last year and employs 40 Ontarians, up from 20 a year ago.
(9-Dec-10) Ontario's plan to cut business taxes and offer tax credits is helping to create the jobs of the future by making the province a great place to launch innovative new companies. The Premier today visited Polar Mobile -- a company that builds and designs applications that run on mobile devices. Started in 2007 in Waterloo, it has quickly grown to become a world-leader in helping entertainment, sports and non-profit organizations reach new audiences. The company has doubled in size in the last year and employs 40 Ontarians, up from 20 a year ago.
Goar: A smart social policy innovation for lean times
(24-Nov-10) Skepticism ran high in the mid-1990s when Ken Battle, president of the Caledon Institute, a small social policy think-tank, said he could design a new benefit that would lift children of out poverty, free them of the welfare stigma and break the intergenerational dependency cycle.
He delivered his plan. Ottawa and the provinces discussed it, amended it and eventually adopted it. In 2007 the National Child Benefit was born. It turned out to be the biggest social innovation in 30 years. Now Battle and his colleagues at the Caledon Institute hope to do it again. They’ve just released a discussion paper entitled A Basic Income Plan for Canadians with Severe Disabilities.
(24-Nov-10) Skepticism ran high in the mid-1990s when Ken Battle, president of the Caledon Institute, a small social policy think-tank, said he could design a new benefit that would lift children of out poverty, free them of the welfare stigma and break the intergenerational dependency cycle.
He delivered his plan. Ottawa and the provinces discussed it, amended it and eventually adopted it. In 2007 the National Child Benefit was born. It turned out to be the biggest social innovation in 30 years. Now Battle and his colleagues at the Caledon Institute hope to do it again. They’ve just released a discussion paper entitled A Basic Income Plan for Canadians with Severe Disabilities.
Request for Statement of Intent-Aboriginal YOuth Projects
(25-Oct-10) The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is inviting Statement of Intent submissions from eligible Aboriginal non-profit organizations/corporations in Ontario, Aboriginal post secondary and training institutions, Aboriginal education authorities, Chiefs and Councils, or organizations that demonstrate significant partnerships with non-profit Aboriginal organizations to apply to its Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships (YEP) program. The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. An information session will be held in Toronto, Ontario (teleconference available) on Monday, November 1, 2010.
(25-Oct-10) The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is inviting Statement of Intent submissions from eligible Aboriginal non-profit organizations/corporations in Ontario, Aboriginal post secondary and training institutions, Aboriginal education authorities, Chiefs and Councils, or organizations that demonstrate significant partnerships with non-profit Aboriginal organizations to apply to its Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships (YEP) program. The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. An information session will be held in Toronto, Ontario (teleconference available) on Monday, November 1, 2010.
Youth Entrepreneurial Development Program
(Toronto -- 22-Sep-10) The Calico YED program is a 6-month small business training program for youth with barriers to employment in Toronto Paid minimal wage for 32 hours literacy support and life skills
(Toronto -- 22-Sep-10) The Calico YED program is a 6-month small business training program for youth with barriers to employment in Toronto Paid minimal wage for 32 hours literacy support and life skills
