Managers often must have difficult conservations on staff work performance. Professional facilitator Robin Parsons discusses how leaders can prepare
For managers, one of the greatest challenges they face is how to have a difficult conversation with a staff person. Managers often must have difficult conservations on work performance, matters of discipline or in cases of conflict. Professional facilitator Robin Parsons discusses how leaders can prepare for such conversations and handle at times unexpected discoveries.…
Oil sands extraction declined largely because of shutdowns and maintenance of some production facilities. Crude oil extraction also falls
The natural resources sector in Canada continues to be challenged. A new report released Friday by Statistics Canada said real gross domestic product (GDP) of the natural resources sector fell 2.2 per cent in the third quarter, following a 2.8 per cent rise in the second quarter. The federal agency said the decline was largely…
Limited cash flow also a concern for business owners when it comes to investing in their companies these days, according to BDC survey
Many Canadian entrepreneurs will continue investing in their companies in 2020 despite growing uncertainty about world economies. But business owners in the Prairies are the most pessimistic, mostly because of low commodity prices and limited cash flow, says the latest annual survey by BDC. The study on investment intentions found that entrepreneurs in the manufacturing…
Albertans agree there is room to reduce red tape headaches considering the government has received over 4,000 suggestions to the cut red tape website
If you’re a small business owner one of the biggest challenges you face is dealing with red tape. It’s a frustration that entrepreneurs across the country have lamented about for years. And each year the Canadian Federation of Independent Business rolls out its Golden Scissors Awards to honour the governments and public servants who have…
Alberta’s provincial per-person debt grew by 184 per cent, also the largest increase among the provinces by a wide margin
Alberta government debt more than doubled since the year before the recession in 2007/2008, says public policy think tank the Fraser Institute. It's the largest increase among all provinces in that time period. “The Alberta government’s chronic deficits over more than a decade have built a mountain of debt,” Jake Fuss, economist at the Fraser…
Infrastructure projects have very long timelines and by the time shovels hit the ground the recession is usually over and recovery has begun, think tank argues
Looking to discretionary public infrastructure investments as a response to economic downturns may be a poor policy choice, suggests a new study released Wednesday by public policy think-tank the Fraser Institute. The Fiscal Policy and Recessions: The Role of Public Infrastructure Spending report said infrastructure spending is not an effective policy for stimulating the economy…
Households with an average income of $50,000 worry twice as much (2.25 hours) a day than households with an average income of more than $100,000
There’s no question that Canadians these days are worrying a lot more about their personal finances, according to new surveys from Scotiabank. The surveys indicate 65 per cent of Canadians with debt struggle to save or invest money while paying down debt and 67 per cent said they find the amount of information about investing overwhelming.…
The Prairies remain the exception where economic indicators remain weak as energy sector continues to be challenged these days
Results from the winter Business Outlook Survey from the Bank of Canada suggest that business sentiment in the Prairies remains weak while more broadly positive across Canada. “In aggregate, firms’ outlook is supported by expectations of healthy domestic and foreign sales,” according to the survey, released Monday. Key findings of the survey include: Expectations for…
Net income of $162 million in the three months ended November 30, 2019, fell from $186 million for the same period in 2018
Calgary-based Shaw Communications saw a near 13 per cent year-over-year decline in net income in its fiscal first quarter. The telecommunications company reported Monday that net income of $162 million in the three months ended November 30, 2019, fell from $186 million for the same period in 2018. “The decrease of $24 million was primarily…
Four of the 10 roles on the list are considered to be blue-collar: truck driver, welder, general labourer and heavy duty mechanic
Wondering what the most in demand jobs are this year? Randstad Canada, which is in the human resources services industry, has compiled a top 10 list which includes a range of sectors. But the growing need for skilled and blue-collar workers stands out, it said on Monday, and four of the 10 roles on the…
The second biggest worry for buyers is whether they can afford the mortgage payment, say more than half of Canadians
A new survey says 56 per cent of Canadians see qualifying for a mortgage as a barrier to homeownership. This is up six points from a year ago. The report by Zillow also found that this concern rises to 64 per cent for consumers who recently purchased a home, likely linked to the mortgage regulation…
Canadian economic growth 1.7 per cent in 2019 followed by a slight decline of 1.6 per cent growth this year then growth of 1.8 per cent in 2021
None of the major trends of 2019 suggest impending economic doom for Canada, but nor do they point to much in terms of upside, says a new report by TD Economics. “In all cases, a ‘ho hum’ economic performance appears to be the best we can hope for . . . Some help will come…
Total annual revenue was up 7.1 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, reaching $80.4 billion, but still four per cent below peak set in 2014
Just how important is the manufacturing sector to Alberta’s overall economy? Some data released by Statistics Canada recently indicates it is a vital source of jobs for the province and a key in growing the economy. “Zeroing in on Alberta, the sector’s total annual revenue was up 7.1 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017,…
Print advertising continued to slide, but the company pointed to an increase in digital revenue of $2.8 million or 8.7 per cent in the quarter as a hopeful sign
Postmedia, the owner of major daily newspapers across Canada, reported Thursday a net loss in the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2019, of $3 million. A year before, the loss was $1.4 million. The company stated in a news release that revenue for the quarter was $156.7 million compared to $171.3 million last year, representing…
Also plans $1.5 billion of additional spending with Indigenous businesses and reclaim 1,500 decommissioned well sites
Cenovus Energy announced Thursday it is aiming to reduce its emissions intensity by 30 per cent by 2030. It also plans to achieve a minimum of $1.5 billion of additional spending with Indigenous businesses, reclaim 1,500 decommissioned well sites and complete $40 million of caribou habitat restoration work. “Our environmental practices, low-emissions oil sands operations…
