Nearly half of Canadian workers feel as though the economic conditions in Canada are “poor,” according to our survey of 2,500 Canadian workers in September of 2023. And another 38 per cent said they believed economic conditions are “only fair.” These findings are unsurprising, given the poor state of the Canadian economy and the growing […]
There’s a glimmer of hope in the mid-year budget update, but inflation is still a big challenge
The federal government knows people are doing it tough. Inflation and interest rate pressures have put the cost-of-living at the forefront of voters’ minds. As the national accounts data shows, disposable income has fallen. Households have been forced to run down their savings. The household savings ratio has hit its lowest level in 16 years. […]
4 business lessons from the Boston Tea Party
December 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, one of the most famous events leading up to the Revolutionary War. On the night of Dec. 16, 1773, Colonists marched aboard three ships and threw more than 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. No one died, and the only things injured were […]
Budget update forecasts deficit of $1.1 billion this financial year
The federal budget is headed for a small $1.1 billion deficit this financial year, according to the update released by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher on Wednesday morning. This is an improvement of $12.8 billion compared to the deficit forecast in the May budget. It suggests the final figure for the financial […]
Could UPS and FedEx get holiday packages to their destinations faster? This research suggests yes
Every year, parcel delivery companies – think UPS and FedEx – hire tens of thousands of seasonal driver helpers to handle the deluge of presents that arrive with the holidays. At peak times, shipping firms depend on their helpers just as much as Santa depends on his elves. And those companies could save millions of […]
The government is bringing immigration back to ‘normal levels’ but cuts are not as dramatic as they seem
On Monday, the federal government announced plans to fix Australia’s “broken migration system” and to “bring migration back to sustainable, normal levels”. Its long-awaited migration strategy aims “to build a migration system that earns the trust and confidence of our citizens”, or what the government calls, “rebuilding the social licence”. The government says these changes […]
There’s a financial literacy gender gap − and older women are eager for education that meets their needs
Every day, families across the U.S. have to make difficult decisions about budgeting, spending, insurance, investments, savings, retirement and on and on. When faced with these choices, financial literacy – that is, knowing how to make informed decisions about money – is key. Yet, Americans in general aren’t very financially literate. And recent research suggests […]
Why the Fed should treat climate change’s $150B economic toll like other national crises it’s helped fight
Climate disasters are now costing the United States US$150 billion per year, and the economic harm is rising. The real estate market has been disrupted as home insurance rates skyrocket along with rising wildfire and flood risks in the warming climate. Food prices have gone up with disruptions in agriculture. Health care costs have increased […]
Americans are tiptoeing out of economic turmoil this holiday shopping season
With two big shopping days on the horizon – Black Friday and Cyber Monday – U.S. retailers are getting ready for the most important time of the year. The stakes are high: For some companies, the holiday shopping season accounts for 50% of annual revenue. But economic uncertainty and recent inflation could put a damper […]
5 marketing lessons from the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance
What happens when you unite the biggest pop star in the world and a two-time Super Bowl champion? A whole lot of excitement, as the romance of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has shown. But amid all the cheering, canoodling and Instagram flirting, the situation lends some useful insights into marketing – and as an […]