CCA Weekly - July 31, 2012

Infrastructure

Canada's "Plan B" if economy falters: infrastructure spending, not rate trimming

Ramping up government spending on infrastructure, rather than trimming interest rates, may be Canada's best path should economic growth falter in the next year, notes a new report from CIBC world Markets Inc. Read more

FCM Releases Statement Following Completion of Infrastructure Roundtables

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities released a statement on the completion of the federal government regional infrastructure roundtables to develop a new, long-term infrastructure plan. In its statement, FCM outlined what it sees as the most important principles for a new long-term infrastructure plan. Read more

Labour

Skilled labour shortages sporadic and short-lived

Labour shortages continue to exist across Canada, but they are sporadic and short-lived, according to the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA-Canada) that released its report Labour Shortages in Skilled Trades – The Best Guestimate? The report explores skilled labour shortages in five trades in five Canadian provinces – Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Read more

Firms will be Able to Find Vets on a New Website Beginning in September

Construction companies meeting the muster may soon be able to hire former military personnel with construction skills through a new website for Canada's Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) program. Construction companies will have to be signatories to collective agreements with valid apprenticeship training programs, said Joe Maloney, president of Canada’s newly-formed H2H program. Read more

Economy

VIDEO - Six factors affecting economic growth in Canada

The Canadian economy is anticipated to grow by only two per cent this year, rather than four per cent. Alex Carrick explains how inflation, the merchandise trade balance, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, foreign inflow of capital and government spending influence economic growth, housing prices, consumer spending and interest rates. Read more and watch video