
Category
Economy
Record improvement in Canadian business conditions during December, report says
Canadian manufacturers reported an overall improvement in business conditions during December, according to a new report from IHS Markit Canada.
Ontario invests $77 million to help job seekers retrain after COVID-19 layoffs
This funding is being provided through the redesigned Second Career grant program and will help more than 2,750 job seekers with up to $28,000 for tuition, training materials, and living expenses.
Manufacturing sales edged up 0.3% in October, StatCan says
Manufacturing sales grew to $54.1 billion led by the paper, petroleum, and coal industries, and with 2.2% growth for plastic and rubber product manufacturers.

Global auto sales improve modestly again in October, report says
On a year-over-year basis, sales were in positive territory for a second consecutive month since the pandemic struck, Scotiabank’s latest Global Auto Report says.
Two-thirds of Canadian business owners negatively impacted by COVID-19: CIBC poll
But the majority (75%) of business owners remain optimistic they will rebound once the pandemic subsides, the poll also found.
Manufacturing sales up 1.5 per cent in September, StatCan says
As part of this increase, the chemical industry rose 6.7 per cent to $4.5 billion, the agency said.
Canadian government extending funding for innovation assistance program into December
The program an emergency wage subsidy provided to eligible small and medium-sized firms on a priority basis.
Demand from packaging and healthcare segments to help polyolefins market stay afloat amid COVID-19, report says
The global polyolefins market is expected to decline in 2020 due to weaker end-market demand, analytics firm GlobalData says, but there will be strong gains in these other sectors.
CME, Ontario launch online consumer directory of made-in-Ontario products
The guide is designed to make it easier for shoppers to find made-in-Ontario products, while supporting local businesses and manufacturers.
Nearly half of Canadians considering leaving their current job, report says
The annual Hays Salary Guide shows employer optimism is countered by employee isolation, loneliness, and a decline in well-being.
U.S. economy posts record third-quarter GDP rebound
GDP increased by an annualized rate of 33.1 per cent during the third quarter, the U.S. Commerce Department reported, compared to the second quarter’s annualized rate of 31.4 per cent contraction.
U.S. plastics industry reports another year of trade surplus
Mexico and Canada remain the U.S. plastics industry’s largest export markets, the new report from the Plastics Industry Association says.
Both Biden and Trump victories present implications for Canada’s economy, new report says
The report from RSM Canada concludes that no matter the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, Canada’s recovery from wave two of the coronavirus pandemic and its longer-term outlook will be impacted.

What will the 2020 elections mean for U.S. energy?
Ten key issues to watch, according to global energy consultancy group Wood Mackenzie.
Canadian small business owners cautiously optimistic about the future, Scotiabank report says
Forty per cent of small business owners are either “very” or “extremely” optimistic about the future of their business, Scotiabank said.
Plastics industry 8th largest in U.S., new report says
The plastics industry is a key part of the American economy, the report from Plastics Industry Association said, accounting for an estimated $432 billion in shipments and over a million workers in 2019.
Fewer business closures, more openings in June compared with May: StatCan
The trend in June held true in every province and territory except Quebec, which had a two per cent increase in business closures compared with the previous month.
Retail sales rose 0.6% in July, Statistics Canada says
Sales were up in six of 11 subsectors in July with the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector contributing the most to the increase.
Ontario announces $37 million for training in advanced manufacturing, other industries
The funding will support 86 projects and provide training in high-demand skills to more than 15,000 people.
Ford preparing to cut 1,000 salaried jobs in North America, report says
The job cuts are aimed at improving the automaker’s efficiency and are not related to rising costs from the COVID-19 pandemic, the news report from Bloomberg said.