Industry News

U.S. raises interest rates, hints at further hikes

(June 30, 2004) The U.S. Federal Reserve today raised its key overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%, the first increase in four years. The decision by the Fed was unanimous and widely anticipated by economists. In a statement, the Fed pointed to “robust underlying growth in productivity,” which the committee said has […]

By Doug Watt |June 30, 2004

1 min read

Rising health costs threatening government coffers, IDA says

(June 29, 2004) The provinces should resist the temptation to raise taxes and introduce user fees to deal with the current funding crunch in healthcare, the IDA says in a review of public finances released today. Ontario introduced a new healthcare premium (scheduled to take effect July 1) and increased existing taxes on tobacco and […]

By Doug Watt |June 29, 2004

2 min read

Minority government fails to spook markets

(June 29, 2004) Defying the polls predicting a Conservative win, Canadian voters returned Paul Martin to 24 Sussex Drive last night, albeit with a fragile minority government which has promised much to the electorate. “Pollsters are starting to make economists look good,” says Marc Levesque, chief fixed income strategist at TD Securities. “I think everyone […]

By Steven Lamb |June 29, 2004

2 min read

Briefly:

(July 2, 2004) Canada’s western provinces will enjoy stronger economic growth over the next few years than the rest of the country, concludes a report released today by Scotia Economics. While Scotia expects the Canadian economy to expand at an overall rate of 2.7% this year, Alberta’s economy will grow by 3.7% in 2004, Saskatchewan […]

By Staff |June 28, 2004

4 min read