Economy

Signs of confidence emerge

Canadians appear to be regaining their confidence in the financial markets, according to a survey by Manulife Financial, with improved sentiment toward eight out of ten investment options. Whether this optimism will hold is another question. “Canadians generally suggested they favoured safer havens over the past six months, but a number of indicators seem to […]

By Steven Lamb |April 8, 2009

3 min read

Prepare for return of inflation: CIBC

Advisors may want to brush up on their history, with a close focus on the 1980s. The wholesale banking arm of CIBC is predicting a spike in inflation down the road, as policymakers around the world embrace quantitative easing in battling the economic recession. While the threat of hyperinflation is greatest in the U.S. and […]

By Steven Lamb |April 6, 2009

3 min read

Ontario offers tax cuts, sales tax harmonization

The province of Ontario will face a massive deficit over the next seven years, as the government struggles to right the economy. Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has projected a massive $56.8-billion deficit over seven years, as the province’s coffers are drained by falling revenues and rising stimulus spending. “The global crisis has reduced our government’s […]

By Steven Lamb |March 26, 2009

4 min read

Quebec budget to boost small-cap investment

The Quebec government tabled its budget yesterday, reintroducing the Quebec Stock Savings Plan (REA). First launched in 1979, the REA was replaced in 2005 by the SME Growth Stock Plan, also known as “Hooked SMEs.” REA II, as the program is known officially, is essentially a rebate on the Hooked SMEs program. It affects shares […]

By Claude Couillard |March 20, 2009

4 min read