Toronto’s Housing Crisis: When Immigration and Housing Policies Don’t Align
Canada’s housing market is posing significant challenges for immigrants and temporary migrants. The situation in Toronto, as highlighted in this study, is particularly problematic. The authors point out that the government’s goal to welcome up to 500,000 permanent residents and one million temporary migrants every year intensifies the pressure on urban housing supplies. The…Read More
Economic Viewpoint: What is the Right Number of Newcomers to Welcome to Canada?
The article explores the ideal immigration levels for Canada, with a focus on how it impacts the labour market. The author emphasizes that immigration plays a crucial role in Canada’s long-term economic prosperity while acknowledging the short-term challenges it can create, particularly in the labour market. The article points out that the current rate…Read More
Yesterday’s gone: Exploring possible futures of Canada’s labour market in a post-COVID world.
We are living in very uncertain times, which makes it critical to be prepared for the years to come. This report outlines eight “megatrends” and 34 related “meso” trends with the potential to impact the future of Canada’s labour market. Many of these trends have been intensified by COVID-19, while others have emerged as…Read More
Revitalizing Canada’s manufacturing economy for a post-COVID world. Ottawa, ON: Public Policy Forum.
The authors argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that Canada needs a strong domestic manufacturing sector to produce what it needs (i.e., essential medical and personal protective equipment in time of crisis). The last 20 years has seen a severe decline in manufacturing in Canada, which has led to stagnant wages…Read More
Economic impacts and recovery related to the pandemic. A presentation series from Statistics Canada about the economy, environment and society. Catalogue no. 11-631-X. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada.
This report emphasizes that although economic output is recovering as businesses reopen, stark differences exist across sectors. For example, output in accommodation and food services in June 2020 was at 55% of the pre-pandemic level. Among those who lost their jobs, youth, less-educated workers, women, recent immigrants and temporary employees have been hit hardest. The…Read More
The future of jobs report 2020. Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum.
This report paints a grim picture of the future, arguing that the COVID-19 recession and automation are causing a double disruption for workers. With the pandemic, the window of opportunity to reskill and upskill workers has become shorter. The report estimates that job creation is slowing, while job destruction is accelerating. By 2025, redundant…Read More
How much could a guaranteed annual income cost? Vancouver, BC: Fraser Institute.
Implementation of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increasing interest in a universal basic income or guaranteed annual income (GAI). This report provides insights on how much such a program could cost, as well as the trade-off and implementation problems that might arise. The report compares four types…Read More
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Living with uncertainty. OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Uncertainty is a recurring subject in the COVID-19 pandemic; this paper focuses on three key areas of uncertainty. First, the author analyzes how uncertainty remains high and confidence is fragile for both households and businesses in the face of only gradual recovery. Second, projections show only moderate output growth due to the decrease in confidence,…Read More
Social protection and jobs responses to COVID-19: A real-time review of country measures. Published online by Ugo Gentilini.
Ugo Gentilini and Mohamed Almenfi, both of the World Bank, and Ian Orton of the International Labour Organization have teamed up with colleagues to document the range of social protection measures either planned or implemented by governments across the globe to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19. Data sources for this review include government websites, newspapers,…Read More
COVID-19 and international trade: Issues and actions. OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
This report from the OECD recommends four actions that countries can take to ensure that international trade keeps flowing during COVID-19. First, raise confidence in trade and international markets by improving transparency about trade-related policy actions and intentions. Second, ensure that supply chains continue to flow, especially for essentials such as health supplies and food.…Read More