Gender gaps around the world have shrunk slightly, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. Canada, however, definitely has room to improve. It currently sits at 20th place out of 136 countries, having only moved up one spot since the year before.
The Gender Gap Index analyzes countries to see whether resources are equally divided between both genders. It measures the gap between women and men in four categories: health, education, economics and politics.
10. Nicaragua
Index score: 0.7715*
Nicaragua dropped one place from last year, but the country remains the only Latin American and Caribbean country on this top 10 list. The country ranked low for economic participation and opportunity and health and survival of women, but it ranked fifth for women's opportunities in politics. In parliament, there is a ratio of 0.67 females to males, and there is a 0.86 female-to-male ratio in ministerial positions.
Nicaragua is one of the few lower-middle income countries on this list, which means that residents make between $1,036 and $4,085 a year. In 2012, the gross national income per captia was $1,650, according to the World Bank.
* Index scores are between 0 and 1. The closer the country's gap index is to one, the closer the country has come to reaching equality. Scores are determined by looking at various categories, each of which contains subindex indicators.
9. Switzerland
Index score: 0.7736
Switzerland made this list due to a high amount of female participation in politics (it ranked 16th in the world), along with economic opportunities and participation rates for female workers (it came in 23rd place). In fact, there is no gender gap in categories such as estimated earned income, literacy rate, and enrolment in primary and tertiary education. Swiss females even have a higher life expectancy – on average, women live until age 76, while males live until 73.
Since 2007, when it placed 40 out of 128 nations, Switzerland has greatly improved its ranking. However, Switzerland still has less females serving on company boards than other EU countries, according to a Credit Suisse report analyzing gender diversity and corporate performance. (The European Commission recently adopted a proposal for a directive seeking to address this inequality in representation for EU-listed companies).
8. Denmark
Index score: 0.7779
Denmark’s place on this list can largely be attributed to its educational system. The country’s lack of an educational gender gap placed it in the No. 1 spot for this category -- in some cases, females have higher enrolment numbers than males at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Denmark dropped one spot from last year, though the Nordic country saw improvements in the political empowerment category. Danish women were given the right to vote in 1915, which is considered to be an early start, according to the World Economic Forum. During the 1970s, political parties in the country introduced voluntary gender quotas, which increased female participation, but they were later abandoned.
The Nordic country offers a generous maternity leave policy where mothers receive 52 paid weeks off with 100 per cent salary (up to a certain amount). In 2008, legislation was passed in Denmark that requires companies to consider diversity when hiring for corporate boards.
7. New Zealand
Index score: 0.7799
New Zealand is one of two Asia and Pacific region countries that ranked high in the Gender Gap Index. New Zealand has consistently placed within the top 10 for gender equality over the past eight years. However, a decrease in wage equality, and gains by women in the Philippines, led to New Zealand dropping one spot from last year.
The WEF study found no gender gap in education in New Zealand -- female enrollment was slightly higher than males in both secondary and tertiary education. The study also found a high level of gender equality among professional and technical workers and in the ratio of girls to boys during birth.
New Zealand offers new mothers 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 38 weeks of leave. Within the last 50 years, a female has been the prime minister for 11 of those years (putting it at ninth place in this category). The country is working to improve gender equality on corporate boards by requiring listed companies to disclose their gender breakdown of board members and executive members.
6. Ireland
Index score: 0.7823
Ireland’s sixth-place ranking is due to female involvement in politics in the country. There has been a female Irish leader for 21 of the last 50 years. However, Ireland has fallen one spot on this list since last year due to a drop in wage equality. The nation has achieved gender equality in professional and technical jobs, its literacy rate and enrolment in secondary and tertiary education. Ireland has placed within the top 10 countries with the smallest gender gap for the last eight years.
New Irish mothers get 26 weeks of paid maternity leave with full wages in some public and private sectors, along with 16 weeks of unpaid leave. The country currently doesn't have any national policy to improve gender equality on corporate boards, but Irish directors think the country's companies lack gender diversity, according to a survey conducted by Harty International, an executive search firm. Meanwhile, there have been moves to improve female participation in politics by introducing legislation for a 30 per cent female quota of a party's candidates in the next election.
5. Philippines
Index score: 0.7832
The Philippines is the only Asian country to make this top 10 list. This Southeast Asian nation placed eighth last year, but it increased its ranking due to improved wage equality for similar work and more female workers in professional and technical occupations. It's the only country in Asia that doesn't have a gender gap when it comes to education and health for males and females, but its score on female labour participation has lowered the country’s ranking.
The country's maternity leave benefits only provide eight weeks of fully paid maternity leave. A female has led the country for 16 years out of the last 50.
4. Sweden
Index score: 0.8129
Sweden has consistently ranked within the top five on this list, but it dropped from the number one spot eight years ago.
Swedish women make 93 per cent of what their male counterparts make, but the country boasts many females in politics. Sweden gave women the right to vote in 1919, which is considered early compared to other countries. It was also one of the countries to introduce voluntary gender quotas during the 1970s, which contributes to its high 44.7 per cent female participation rate in politics. The country is also recognized for its high ratio of women holding ministerial positions (52 per cent) and the number of females who held the top position in the nation within the last 50 years.
Sweden has achieved gender equality in its literacy rate and enrolment in secondary and tertiary education and it has a 0.99 ratio of females to males enrolled in primary education.
3. Norway
Index score: 0.8417
Norway is known for tackling gender inequality -- it introduced historic quota legislation back in 2003. Company boards are required by law to be made up of 40 per cent women at listed companies with more than 10 employees. Unfortunately, the policy may not be helping women land executive positions, according to a recent Bloomberg article.
Women were given the right to vote in Norway in 1913, which is quite early compared to other nations. As well, likely as result of voluntary gender quotas in political parties, Norwegian women hold 53 per cent of ministerial positions, netting the country the top spot in this category. It also ranks high for a small gender gap in estimated incomes between men and women.
This Nordic nation is among the countries with the best maternity leaves. It offers a 36 to 46 week leave with from 80 to 100 per cent of wages covered.
2. Finland
Index score: 0.8421
Finland has almost closed the gender gap between men and women. The Nordic nation has held the second or third spot in the gender gap index for the last eight years. The survey found no gender gap when it comes to earning an education, health or survival. While the nation places second for women in politics, Finland introduced voting for women back in 1906, which likely contributed to 50 per cent of women landing ministerial government positions.
In order to move up this list, Finland needs to improve the economic opportunities available to women (it ranks 19 in this category).
The nation lets new mothers take 105 working days as maternity leave, during which they're paid about 70 per cent of their wages. Women have a life expectancy of 75 years, while men live on average to age 70.
1. Iceland
Index score: 0.8731
Iceland is a role model for other nations looking to improve their gender gaps. It has boasted the world's smallest gender gap for five years in a row thanks to gender equality in politics and receiving an education. Women also achieved gender equality in professional and technical occupations. Women hold half of the country’s ministerial positions, while within the last 50 years, a female was leader of the government for 20 of those years.
Iceland offers its mothers two weeks of mandatory maternity leave, along with 11 more weeks at 80 per cent of their wages. Women are expected to outlive men with a life expectancy of 75 years compared to 73 years for men. Iceland is following in Norway's footsteps and implementing a gender quota for corporate boards.
Tuesday 31 December 2013
Time To Remove Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Subsidies are intended to protect consumers by keeping prices low. But they also come at a high cost.
Subsidies are expensive for governments—and therefore taxpayers—to finance and can hinder governments’ efforts to reduce budget deficits. They also compete with other priority public spending on roads, schools, and healthcare.
All consumers—both rich and poor—benefit from subsidies by paying lower prices. Governments could get more “bang for their buck” by removing or reducing subsidies and targeting the money directly to programs that help only the poor.
Read more : IMF POLICY ADVICE
IMF Calls for Global Reform of Energy Subsidies: Sees Major Gains for Economic Growth and the Environment
A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged policymakers the world over to reform subsidies for products from coal to gasoline, arguing that this could translate into major gains both for economic growth and the environment. The comprehensive study, Energy Subsidy Reform – Lessons and Implications, released today, estimates that energy subsidies amount to a staggering $1.9 trillion worldwide—the equivalent of 2½ percent of global GDP, or 8 percent of government revenues.
NAFTA turns 20. And the Winner Is ...
Mexico is pact's biggest winner
North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada. U.S. and Mexico signed in 1994
What are the post-NAFTA impacts ?
Canada’s water and oceans
Harper government cutting more than $100 million related to protection of water
OTTAWA — More than $100 million in cuts are underway at the federal department in charge of protecting Canada’s water and oceans, despite recommendations from top bureaucrats that it needs to increase spending for both environmental and economic reasons.
According to internal federal briefing notes obtained by Postmedia News, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is eliminating about 500 jobs at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans related to Coast Guard services, patrols to stop illegal fishing activities as well as scientific research to promote conservation, protect endangered species, and prevent industrial water pollution.
Alberta Oilsands - Mercury
Mercury levels rising in expanse around Alberta oilsands
Mercury wafting out of oilsands operations is impacting an area – or “bull’s-eye” — that extends for about 19,000 square kilometres in northeast Alberta, according to federal scientists.
Levels of the potent neurotoxin found near the massive industrial operation have been found to be up to 16 times higher than “background” levels for the region, says Environment Canada researcher Jane Kirk, who recently reported the findings at an international toxicology conference.
Climate Change
Stephen Harper’s government edited message about taking climate change seriously
OTTAWA – The office of Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver asked bureaucrats in August to withhold some clues pointing toward the delay of a federal climate change report, reveal newly released internal emails.
Monday 30 December 2013
Top 20 Most Valuable Canadian Brands
Source: Brand Finance Canada
20: Shoppers Drug Mart
Brand value: $1.97 billion
19: Canadian Tire
Brand value: $2.04 billion
18: BlackBerry
Brand value: $2.04 billion
17: Loblaws
Brand value: $2.06 billion
16: McCain Foods
Brand value: $2.12 billion
15: Brookfield Properties
Brand value: $2.33 billion
14: CN Rail
Brand value: $2.89 billion
13: Shaw
Brand value: $3.06 billion
12: Manulife
Brand value: $3.3 billion
11: Telus
Brand value: $3.65 billion
10: George Weston
Brand value: $3.88 billion
9: Bombardier
Brand value: $3.96 billion
8: Enbridge
Brand value: $4.17 billion
7: Rogers
Brand value: $4.55 billion
6: CIBC
Brand value: $4.8 billion
5. Bell
Brand value: $5.54 billion
4. Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Brand value: $6.49 billion
3. Scotiabank
Brand value: $7.03 billion
2: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Brand value: $10.28 billion
1. TD Bank
Brand value: $10.4 billion
20: Shoppers Drug Mart
Brand value: $1.97 billion
19: Canadian Tire
Brand value: $2.04 billion
18: BlackBerry
Brand value: $2.04 billion
17: Loblaws
Brand value: $2.06 billion
16: McCain Foods
Brand value: $2.12 billion
15: Brookfield Properties
Brand value: $2.33 billion
14: CN Rail
Brand value: $2.89 billion
13: Shaw
Brand value: $3.06 billion
12: Manulife
Brand value: $3.3 billion
11: Telus
Brand value: $3.65 billion
10: George Weston
Brand value: $3.88 billion
9: Bombardier
Brand value: $3.96 billion
8: Enbridge
Brand value: $4.17 billion
7: Rogers
Brand value: $4.55 billion
6: CIBC
Brand value: $4.8 billion
5. Bell
Brand value: $5.54 billion
4. Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Brand value: $6.49 billion
3. Scotiabank
Brand value: $7.03 billion
2: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Brand value: $10.28 billion
1. TD Bank
Brand value: $10.4 billion
Sunday 29 December 2013
Canada's Highest-Paid CEOs
To see how much Canada's top 100 CEOs got paid in 2012, visit The Globe and Mail.
10. Peter Marrone, Yamana Gold Inc. - $12.1 Million
Yamana gold CEO Peter Marrone addresses the firm's annual meeting of shareholders in Toronto, May 6, 2009.
10. Peter Marrone, Yamana Gold Inc. - $12.1 Million
Yamana gold CEO Peter Marrone addresses the firm's annual meeting of shareholders in Toronto, May 6, 2009.
9. Mark Thierer, Catamaran Corp. - $12.9 Million
8. Gerald Schwartz, Onex Corp. - $13.3 Million
Onex Corporation Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald Schwartz speaks at the company's annual general meeting in Toronto on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
7. Gordon Nixon, Royal Bank of Canada - $13.7 Million
Gord Nixon, president and CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada, speaks to reporters in Calgary, in this Feb. 28, 2013 photo.
6. Mark Barrenechea, Open Text Corp. - $14.8 Million
5. Donald Walker, Magna International Inc. - $16.9 Million
Donald J. Walker, chief executive officer of Magna International Inc., speaks during the company's annual general meeting in Toronto on Friday, May 10, 2013.
4. Paul Wright, Eldorado Gold Corp. - $18.7 Million
3. John Manzoni, Talisman Energy Inc. - $18.7 Million
John Manzoni, president and CEO of Talisman Energy, speaks to reporters following the company's annual meeting in Calgary, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
2. James Smith, Thomson Reuters Corp. - $18.8 Million
1. Hunter Harrison, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. - $49.2 Million
CP Rail CEO Hunter Harrison attends the company's AGM in Toronto on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.
Maternity Leaves From Around The World
United States
Length Of Maternity Leave: 12 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: No national program but cash benefits may be provided at the state level.
Iceland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 3 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Germany
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Japan
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 67
Malta
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
New Zealand
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks Paid, 38 Weeks Unpaid
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Switzerland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Belgium
Length Of Maternity Leave: 15 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 82 per cent for the first 30 days and 75 per cent for the remaining period.
Finland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 105 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 70
Slovenia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 105 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Austria
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
France
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Latvia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 112 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Luxembourg
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Netherlands
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Spain
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Greece
Length Of Maternity Leave: 119 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 50
Australia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 18 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Each parent can take up to 12 months of leave, of which 18 weeks are paid.
Lithuania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Belarus
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Moldova
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Ukraine
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Romania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 85
Portugal
Length Of Maternity Leave: 120 to 150 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Parental benefits paid at 100 per cent for the shorter duration of leave and 80 per cent for the longer option
Estonia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 140 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Poland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 20 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Russia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 140 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Italy
Length Of Maternity Leave: 5 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Bulgaria
Length Of Maternity Leave: 135 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid:90
Hungary
Length Of Maternity Leave: 24 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 70
Ireland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 26 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Czech Republic
Length Of Maternity Leave: 28 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 60
Slovakia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 28 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 55
Macedonia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 9 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Not found.
Norway
Length Of Maternity Leave: 36 to 46 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Parental benefits paid at 100 per cent for the shorter duration of leave and 80 per cent for the longer option.
Albania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 365 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80 per cent prior to birth and for 150 days after and 50 per cent for the rest of the leave period.
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Length Of Maternity Leave: 1 Year
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 82 per cent for the first 30 days and 75 per cent for the remaining period.
Canada
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 55 per cent at 17 weeks for maternity leave, and the additional 35 weeks can be taken by either parent. Wages also depend on province.
Croatia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 1 Year
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Denmark
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Serbia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
United Kingdom
52 Weeks 90 (p)
Sweden
Length Of Maternity Leave: 420 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Length Of Maternity Leave: 12 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: No national program but cash benefits may be provided at the state level.
Iceland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 3 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Germany
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Japan
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 67
Malta
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
New Zealand
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks Paid, 38 Weeks Unpaid
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Switzerland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 14 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Belgium
Length Of Maternity Leave: 15 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 82 per cent for the first 30 days and 75 per cent for the remaining period.
Finland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 105 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 70
Slovenia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 105 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Austria
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
France
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Latvia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 112 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Luxembourg
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Netherlands
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Spain
Length Of Maternity Leave: 16 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Greece
Length Of Maternity Leave: 119 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 50
Australia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 18 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Each parent can take up to 12 months of leave, of which 18 weeks are paid.
Lithuania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Belarus
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Moldova
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Ukraine
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Romania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 126 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 85
Portugal
Length Of Maternity Leave: 120 to 150 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Parental benefits paid at 100 per cent for the shorter duration of leave and 80 per cent for the longer option
Estonia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 140 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Poland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 20 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Russia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 140 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Italy
Length Of Maternity Leave: 5 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Bulgaria
Length Of Maternity Leave: 135 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid:90
Hungary
Length Of Maternity Leave: 24 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 70
Ireland
Length Of Maternity Leave: 26 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Czech Republic
Length Of Maternity Leave: 28 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 60
Slovakia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 28 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 55
Macedonia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 9 Months
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Not found.
Norway
Length Of Maternity Leave: 36 to 46 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: Parental benefits paid at 100 per cent for the shorter duration of leave and 80 per cent for the longer option.
Albania
Length Of Maternity Leave: 365 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80 per cent prior to birth and for 150 days after and 50 per cent for the rest of the leave period.
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Length Of Maternity Leave: 1 Year
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 82 per cent for the first 30 days and 75 per cent for the remaining period.
Canada
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 55 per cent at 17 weeks for maternity leave, and the additional 35 weeks can be taken by either parent. Wages also depend on province.
Croatia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 1 Year
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Denmark
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
Serbia
Length Of Maternity Leave: 52 Weeks
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 100
United Kingdom
52 Weeks 90 (p)
Sweden
Length Of Maternity Leave: 420 Days
Percentage Of Wages Paid: 80
Wireless Brands With The Most Complaints
Source: Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services
MTS Allstream: 183 complaints
Koodo Mobile (Telus): 199 complaints
ComWave: 282 complaints
Videotron: 291 complaints
Wind Mobile: 635 complaints
Virgin Mobile (Bell): 776 complaints
Telus: 883 complaints
Fido (Rogers): 998 complaints
Rogers Wireless: 3,803
Bell Canada: 3,912 complaints
CANADA'S NEW WIRELESS CODE OF CONDUCT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
QUESTION
How much of the code is new?
ANSWER
Answer from Marc Choma of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, the industry lobby group representing incumbent players: A lot of these things are already common practice from carriers, but I think it’s good that consumers, on a national basis, know this and it applies to everybody. It’s going to supercede any provincial legislation and that was our main goal going into this because we were seeing a patchwork of regulations across provinces and it was costing the industry a lot of money to adapt their systems potentially 13 different ways.
QUESTION
Are there any restrictions in the code that will prevent the cost of two-year contracts going up as a result of the new rules?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: The CRTC wireless code proceeding did not address pricing, as the Commission had previously determined that there is sufficient competition to protect consumer interests with respect to rates. Service providers are free to determine their rates for service and how much will be charged for phones up front. At the same time, improving consumers’ abilities to switch providers should push service providers to compete on price.
QUESTION
How will the shorter contract length affect handset costs?
ANSWER
Answer from Steve Anderson, executive director of OpenMedia.ca, a wireless consumer advocacy group: It’s unclear. There’s no market reason while the cell phone companies would suddenly raise the cost of cellphone service because people are on shorter contracts. So if they do that it’s really just price gouging. They could try and raise upfront handset costs, but the Canadian companies have higher revenue per user than any other telecom companies in the world and other places where we have two-year contracts, the device cost is not higher than it is in Canada, a great example is the U.S.
ANSWER
Answer from Lawford: It’s call your bluff time. The CRTC is saying “let’s see if it’s true that really your costs are so high and that really you're subsidizing these devices so much, or is it that you’re locking people in so the contract is longer than the usable life of the device?” If we send people back in the market every two years is that going to make competition pick up the slack. If they all go up in lockstep, [then] the Competition Bureau should be looking into what’s going on.
ANSWER
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Changing the length of the subsidy from three years to two years can actually raise the price of the upfront cost for your device. So before you had the option of putting it over three years and you could get a much lower rate for your phone, but now you’ve only got 24 months to earn that subsidy back. Obviously, carriers are going to have to adapt their business models to comply with that. But we’ll have to wait and see how carriers respond.
QUESTION
The new rules allow a fully purchased handset to be unlocked immediately or a subsidized handset to be unlocked in 90 days. What effect will this have?
ANSWER
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: Unlocking the phone means it’s easier to switch carriers, easier to go international and use different services that aren’t Canadian, so it makes it more affordable. But I also think that area could have been better, for example they didn’t talk about what the cost of unlocking would be. And even the 90-day part could have been stronger. If I get a contract for a phone I should be able to do what I want with it.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Most carriers already do that now and some of them actually do it before 90 days now.
QUESTION
Are providers allowed to charge a fee to unlock a phone?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: Yes. Since the CRTC did not examine rates or prices, it is up to the provider to decide on their unlocking fee. However, as of December 2, that rate must be clearly identified in your contract and your critical information summary.
Answer from Shawn Hall, Telus spokesman: We already do that – we charge $35 and allow unlocking after 90 days. That covers our costs of providing the service.
QUESTION
What are the effects of the new rules on people who are not on a contract or already have their phones unlocked?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: People not currently on a contract will be covered if they sign a contract after December 2. If they are currently on an indeterminate or month-to-month contract, they will be covered as of December 2.
Answer from Marc Choma of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association: Most of the elements of the Code deal with contract services, so the impact on no-contract customers that already own their unlocked phone would be minimal.
QUESTION
Do the caps mean the carriers will cut off your data or roaming after a certain point?
ANSWER
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: What’s expected is once you hit your limit in data roaming charges, you’ll receive a text message notification asking if you’re okay with that and do you want to continue.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Most carriers already provide notifications when you are approaching your data limit, or provide you with notification that you are roaming and how to purchase roaming packages. With the new code, a customer's data services will be automatically suspended once the customer has reached $50 of usage, unless the customer expressly consents to override the $50 default limit. In the case of international roaming, a customer's service would be suspended after the customer has reached $100 of usage, again, unless the customer expressly consents to override the $100 default limit.
Answer from Telus: Currently, Telus caps international data roaming at $200. We send customers a free text message when they hit that point letting them know (after a series of usage notifications starting at 2 MBs), and will only reactivate roaming if they ask us to.
Answer from the CRTC: The code doesn’t prescribe how carriers should do it. The way the code is set, there is a maximum amount carriers can charge unless they make specific arrangements with the consumer or the cell user gives consent to continue after a notification is delivered.
QUESTION
Why did the CRTC decide on two-year contracts, rather than one year, the direction the rest of the world is taking?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: The Commission looked at what would be best for Canadians. Many jurisdictions feature two-year contracts – we also heard evidence during the hearing that multi-year contracts with subsidized devices allow Canadians to get new, sophisticated devices at a lower upfront cost.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: We’re in Canada, so we’re always behind. They could have done that too, but then they would have almost certainly raised everybody’s rates, at least the cost of a handset quite a bit. I hope that as the two-year contract becomes standard the one-year will become a competitive offering.
QUESTION
Are the new rules on three-year contracts retroactive? Can I get out of a three-year contract today?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: The rules apply, as of December 2, to all new contracts. In addition, on June 3, 2015, all wireless customers are covered, regardless of when their contract was signed. In practice, that means that if someone signed a contract in May 2013, then on June 3rd 2015, they can cancel without penalty.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: With most carriers right now, there isn’t a cancellation fee. If you want to cancel, you just cancel and pay off your device subsidy.
QUESTION
Can a consumer use the new rules as an argument to fight an "outrageous roaming bill" they receive before they are technically protected?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: Consumers are always free to contact their service provider to contest a bill. The service provider is not obligated to lower the bill simply because new rules are on the horizon.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Yes they could. However, the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) is already available for consumers that have billing issues. The CCTS will also be the body responsible for enforcing the new Code.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: No. In the meantime you can go to the CCTS and say the rate being billed wasn’t made clear. The CCTS has a history of knocking those down unless the company can show the customer was made very aware of what was going on.
QUESTION
If you decide to get out of a three-year contract after 2 years, do you still have to pay fees like the cost of the handset?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: If you currently have a contract and you want to exit, you will likely be charged a cancellation fee, which is determined by your service provider. Some provinces have rules setting out how these fees must be calculated. Once the code is in force, you will be able to exit after two years without any penalty or fee.
QUESTION
Sky high billing is the biggest concern in Canada. Why weren't rates per second and per megabyte addressed?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: The CRTC’s wireless code proceeding did not address pricing, as the Commission had previously determined that there is sufficient competition to protect consumer interests with respect to rates. The new rules will enable consumers to make informed decisions and shop around for the best deal that meets their needs. In addition, the rules around bill shock, including caps on data and roaming, will reduce the high bills that some consumers see.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: The code wasn’t intended to reduce rates or touch rates at all. The whole premise behind us even getting any rules was we’re not talking about rates because the CRTC says, "We’re not rate regulating, all we’re doing is putting in standards so everyone is treated relatively fairly." The Commission could regulate rates, but they don’t. But addressing high rates is the next step, so that [question is] onto something.
QUESTION
Will providers have to show separately the handset cost consumers pay each month?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: No. However, the service provider will need to clearly indicate the price of the phone, and any discount, in the contract and on the critical information summary.
QUESTION
So is there any incentive before or after the rules come into effect in December to choose a three-year contract?
ANSWER
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: If the code’s coming out in December a lot of people will be wondering, "Should I lock in now if they offer me three years or wait until to get a two year [contract]?" You could wait and get the benefit of the code or cash in on a sweetheart deal for a three-year plan ahead of the code, which carriers are likely to offer. There will be some pretty nice deals coming even at the end of the summer, trying to get people in on the three-year plan.
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: After the rules go into effect, there may be some trinkets that they put into a three-year contract that they won’t put into a two-year contract, but you’ll still be able to leave whenever you want, so I think they might find ways to add value to three-year contracts and get people to sign onto them.
MTS Allstream: 183 complaints
Koodo Mobile (Telus): 199 complaints
ComWave: 282 complaints
Videotron: 291 complaints
Wind Mobile: 635 complaints
Virgin Mobile (Bell): 776 complaints
Telus: 883 complaints
Fido (Rogers): 998 complaints
Rogers Wireless: 3,803
Bell Canada: 3,912 complaints
CANADA'S NEW WIRELESS CODE OF CONDUCT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
QUESTION
How much of the code is new?
ANSWER
Answer from Marc Choma of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, the industry lobby group representing incumbent players: A lot of these things are already common practice from carriers, but I think it’s good that consumers, on a national basis, know this and it applies to everybody. It’s going to supercede any provincial legislation and that was our main goal going into this because we were seeing a patchwork of regulations across provinces and it was costing the industry a lot of money to adapt their systems potentially 13 different ways.
QUESTION
Are there any restrictions in the code that will prevent the cost of two-year contracts going up as a result of the new rules?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: The CRTC wireless code proceeding did not address pricing, as the Commission had previously determined that there is sufficient competition to protect consumer interests with respect to rates. Service providers are free to determine their rates for service and how much will be charged for phones up front. At the same time, improving consumers’ abilities to switch providers should push service providers to compete on price.
QUESTION
How will the shorter contract length affect handset costs?
ANSWER
Answer from Steve Anderson, executive director of OpenMedia.ca, a wireless consumer advocacy group: It’s unclear. There’s no market reason while the cell phone companies would suddenly raise the cost of cellphone service because people are on shorter contracts. So if they do that it’s really just price gouging. They could try and raise upfront handset costs, but the Canadian companies have higher revenue per user than any other telecom companies in the world and other places where we have two-year contracts, the device cost is not higher than it is in Canada, a great example is the U.S.
ANSWER
Answer from Lawford: It’s call your bluff time. The CRTC is saying “let’s see if it’s true that really your costs are so high and that really you're subsidizing these devices so much, or is it that you’re locking people in so the contract is longer than the usable life of the device?” If we send people back in the market every two years is that going to make competition pick up the slack. If they all go up in lockstep, [then] the Competition Bureau should be looking into what’s going on.
ANSWER
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Changing the length of the subsidy from three years to two years can actually raise the price of the upfront cost for your device. So before you had the option of putting it over three years and you could get a much lower rate for your phone, but now you’ve only got 24 months to earn that subsidy back. Obviously, carriers are going to have to adapt their business models to comply with that. But we’ll have to wait and see how carriers respond.
QUESTION
The new rules allow a fully purchased handset to be unlocked immediately or a subsidized handset to be unlocked in 90 days. What effect will this have?
ANSWER
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: Unlocking the phone means it’s easier to switch carriers, easier to go international and use different services that aren’t Canadian, so it makes it more affordable. But I also think that area could have been better, for example they didn’t talk about what the cost of unlocking would be. And even the 90-day part could have been stronger. If I get a contract for a phone I should be able to do what I want with it.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Most carriers already do that now and some of them actually do it before 90 days now.
QUESTION
Are providers allowed to charge a fee to unlock a phone?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: Yes. Since the CRTC did not examine rates or prices, it is up to the provider to decide on their unlocking fee. However, as of December 2, that rate must be clearly identified in your contract and your critical information summary.
Answer from Shawn Hall, Telus spokesman: We already do that – we charge $35 and allow unlocking after 90 days. That covers our costs of providing the service.
QUESTION
What are the effects of the new rules on people who are not on a contract or already have their phones unlocked?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: People not currently on a contract will be covered if they sign a contract after December 2. If they are currently on an indeterminate or month-to-month contract, they will be covered as of December 2.
Answer from Marc Choma of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association: Most of the elements of the Code deal with contract services, so the impact on no-contract customers that already own their unlocked phone would be minimal.
QUESTION
Do the caps mean the carriers will cut off your data or roaming after a certain point?
ANSWER
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: What’s expected is once you hit your limit in data roaming charges, you’ll receive a text message notification asking if you’re okay with that and do you want to continue.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Most carriers already provide notifications when you are approaching your data limit, or provide you with notification that you are roaming and how to purchase roaming packages. With the new code, a customer's data services will be automatically suspended once the customer has reached $50 of usage, unless the customer expressly consents to override the $50 default limit. In the case of international roaming, a customer's service would be suspended after the customer has reached $100 of usage, again, unless the customer expressly consents to override the $100 default limit.
Answer from Telus: Currently, Telus caps international data roaming at $200. We send customers a free text message when they hit that point letting them know (after a series of usage notifications starting at 2 MBs), and will only reactivate roaming if they ask us to.
Answer from the CRTC: The code doesn’t prescribe how carriers should do it. The way the code is set, there is a maximum amount carriers can charge unless they make specific arrangements with the consumer or the cell user gives consent to continue after a notification is delivered.
QUESTION
Why did the CRTC decide on two-year contracts, rather than one year, the direction the rest of the world is taking?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: The Commission looked at what would be best for Canadians. Many jurisdictions feature two-year contracts – we also heard evidence during the hearing that multi-year contracts with subsidized devices allow Canadians to get new, sophisticated devices at a lower upfront cost.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: We’re in Canada, so we’re always behind. They could have done that too, but then they would have almost certainly raised everybody’s rates, at least the cost of a handset quite a bit. I hope that as the two-year contract becomes standard the one-year will become a competitive offering.
QUESTION
Are the new rules on three-year contracts retroactive? Can I get out of a three-year contract today?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: The rules apply, as of December 2, to all new contracts. In addition, on June 3, 2015, all wireless customers are covered, regardless of when their contract was signed. In practice, that means that if someone signed a contract in May 2013, then on June 3rd 2015, they can cancel without penalty.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: With most carriers right now, there isn’t a cancellation fee. If you want to cancel, you just cancel and pay off your device subsidy.
QUESTION
Can a consumer use the new rules as an argument to fight an "outrageous roaming bill" they receive before they are technically protected?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: Consumers are always free to contact their service provider to contest a bill. The service provider is not obligated to lower the bill simply because new rules are on the horizon.
Answer from Choma of CWTA: Yes they could. However, the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) is already available for consumers that have billing issues. The CCTS will also be the body responsible for enforcing the new Code.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: No. In the meantime you can go to the CCTS and say the rate being billed wasn’t made clear. The CCTS has a history of knocking those down unless the company can show the customer was made very aware of what was going on.
QUESTION
If you decide to get out of a three-year contract after 2 years, do you still have to pay fees like the cost of the handset?
ANSWER
Answer from the CRTC: If you currently have a contract and you want to exit, you will likely be charged a cancellation fee, which is determined by your service provider. Some provinces have rules setting out how these fees must be calculated. Once the code is in force, you will be able to exit after two years without any penalty or fee.
QUESTION
Sky high billing is the biggest concern in Canada. Why weren't rates per second and per megabyte addressed?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: The CRTC’s wireless code proceeding did not address pricing, as the Commission had previously determined that there is sufficient competition to protect consumer interests with respect to rates. The new rules will enable consumers to make informed decisions and shop around for the best deal that meets their needs. In addition, the rules around bill shock, including caps on data and roaming, will reduce the high bills that some consumers see.
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: The code wasn’t intended to reduce rates or touch rates at all. The whole premise behind us even getting any rules was we’re not talking about rates because the CRTC says, "We’re not rate regulating, all we’re doing is putting in standards so everyone is treated relatively fairly." The Commission could regulate rates, but they don’t. But addressing high rates is the next step, so that [question is] onto something.
QUESTION
Will providers have to show separately the handset cost consumers pay each month?
ANSWER
Answer from CRTC: No. However, the service provider will need to clearly indicate the price of the phone, and any discount, in the contract and on the critical information summary.
QUESTION
So is there any incentive before or after the rules come into effect in December to choose a three-year contract?
ANSWER
Answer from Lawford of PIAC: If the code’s coming out in December a lot of people will be wondering, "Should I lock in now if they offer me three years or wait until to get a two year [contract]?" You could wait and get the benefit of the code or cash in on a sweetheart deal for a three-year plan ahead of the code, which carriers are likely to offer. There will be some pretty nice deals coming even at the end of the summer, trying to get people in on the three-year plan.
Answer from Anderson of OpenMedia.ca: After the rules go into effect, there may be some trinkets that they put into a three-year contract that they won’t put into a two-year contract, but you’ll still be able to leave whenever you want, so I think they might find ways to add value to three-year contracts and get people to sign onto them.
Canada-EU Free Trade Deal: What You Need To Know
It's Not A Done Deal Yet
The trade pact needs the consent of Canada's provinces and EU member states to become law. So far, it's looking good on the provincial front: Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan's leaders have all praised the deal, and Ontario seems open to it assuming it can get compensation for some of its industries that will be harmed by the deal.
The trade pact needs the consent of Canada's provinces and EU member states to become law. So far, it's looking good on the provincial front: Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan's leaders have all praised the deal, and Ontario seems open to it assuming it can get compensation for some of its industries that will be harmed by the deal.
Drug Patents
Canada will partially extend patent protection for brand-name drugs, which would delay the introduction of cheaper generics by up to two years. Officials say it will be eight years before any impact of these changes show up as higher costs for provincial drug plans.
Earlier reports have suggested the cost to the health care system of extended drug patents could run between $1 billion and $3 billion annually.
Jim Keon, president of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association: The EU trade deal will "delay market entry of cost-saving generic prescription medicines in Canada in the future, increasing health-care costs for provinces, employers that sponsor drug plans for their employees and Canadians who pay for their prescription medicines out-of-pocket."
The federal government has suggested it will compensate provinces for higher costs as a result of the agreement.
Automotive
Domestic car producers will be able to increase sales into Europe to 100,000 units from about 10,000 today under relaxed rules. The EU will phase out its 10-per-cent tariff on imports, and Canada will phase out a 6-per-cent tariff on European car imports.
That could be good news for Canadian fans of European luxury cars, as those vehicles will be cheaper. But that, in turn, could be bad news for Canadian auto manufacturers.
Dennis DesRosiers of DesRosiers Auto Analysts: "I don’t think anyone can definitively know what the impact of the current EU Agreement will be on the automotive sector. ... The [Canadian] industry peaked in the year 2000 and has been struggling since and, indeed, just finished one of its worse decades in history and continues to deteriorate. Was this the long term result of FTA and NAFTA? We don’t know but it could be."
Agriculture
Canadian beef farmers increase their quota by 50,000 tonnes, in addition to 15,000 tonnes for high-quality beef. Pork farmers will see their quota rise to 80,000 tonnes from the current 6,000. But producers will have to convert to hormone-free product for the European market, which experts say can add about 15 per cent to costs.
Martin Unrau, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association: "The removal of long-standing barriers in this agreement, such as high tariffs, finally enables Canadian beef producers to benefit from the high value that the European beef market represents."
Dairy Farmers of Ontario: "It will take income from Canadian dairy farmers and their communities and give it to the European industry."
Government Contracts
Companies will be allowed to bid on major government procurement contracts right down to the municipal level. A joint study showed the new access will give European companies leeway to bid on federal contracts worth between $15 billion and $19 billion an year, and municipal contracts worth $112 billion a year.
Critics say that, because of the common practice of "hiring Canadian" in government contracts, EU access to them could mean job losses in Canada.
Trade Justice Network: "Canadian governments would lose a powerful tool for spurring job creation and economic development."
Foreign Investment
Foreign takeovers of Canadian firms now require a formal federal government review if the deal is worth $1 billion or more, but this agreement will raise that to $1.5 billion.
Water For Profit?
Labour and consumer groups fear CETA could lead to the privatization of Canada's water supply and infrastructure. According to early leaks from the negotiations, Canada did not try to protect water resources as part of the trade deal.
The Council of Canadians writes: "This deal will give French companies Suez and Veolia, the two biggest private water operations in the world, access to run our water services for profit. Under a recent edict, the Harper government has tied federal funding of municipal water infrastructure construction or upgrading to privatization of water services. Private water operators charge far higher rates than public operators and cut corners when it comes to source protection."
Struggling For An Education
Healing through sharing
Children from Long Lake #58 gather at the Matawa Tribal Council annual meeting to share their art, a creative outlet for their pain.
Happy 25th, Matawa
Renee Wesley cuts cake to celebrate Matawa’s 25th anniversary. She works at the band’s community centre in the summer when she is not in school.
Music class
Long Lake #58 is working hard to connect the community’s youth with their traditions.
Shopping for toys
A boy looks at toys in Matawa's Northern store, the fly-in reserve’s only retail outlet.
At the playground
Children walk across a field in front of Webequie’s elementary school.
Can't even hang out at the mall
There is little in the way of recreation for children in Webequie, aside from a run down outdoor hockey rink.
A taste of the traditional
Webequie incorporated traditional culture into the design of their school. This teepee is a place for assemblies or just a good place to read.
Dangerous neighbour
There’s not much room to build on Eastwood Island, so the school sits next to a diesel fuel tank.
Dance, baby. dance
Children participate in square dancing during Webequie’s summer festival.
Children from Long Lake #58 gather at the Matawa Tribal Council annual meeting to share their art, a creative outlet for their pain.
Happy 25th, Matawa
Renee Wesley cuts cake to celebrate Matawa’s 25th anniversary. She works at the band’s community centre in the summer when she is not in school.
Music class
Long Lake #58 is working hard to connect the community’s youth with their traditions.
Shopping for toys
A boy looks at toys in Matawa's Northern store, the fly-in reserve’s only retail outlet.
At the playground
Children walk across a field in front of Webequie’s elementary school.
Can't even hang out at the mall
There is little in the way of recreation for children in Webequie, aside from a run down outdoor hockey rink.
A taste of the traditional
Webequie incorporated traditional culture into the design of their school. This teepee is a place for assemblies or just a good place to read.
Dangerous neighbour
There’s not much room to build on Eastwood Island, so the school sits next to a diesel fuel tank.
Dance, baby. dance
Children participate in square dancing during Webequie’s summer festival.
Alberta Oil Spills
CFB Cold Lake, CNRL
A bitumen leak was reported at a Canadian Natural Resources oilsands operation in the weapons range part of the RCAF base in June 2013.
Other recent spill in Alberta
Plains Midstream
Little Buffalo band member Melina Laboucan-Massimo scoops up July 13, 2012 what appears to oil from the pond shoreline near the site of a 4.5 million-litre Plains Midstream pipeline leak detected April 29, 2011. Photos taken at the site and released by Greenpeace of Alberta's second-worst pipeline spill suggest at least part of the site remains heavily contaminated despite company suggestions that the cleanup is complete.
A bitumen leak was reported at a Canadian Natural Resources oilsands operation in the weapons range part of the RCAF base in June 2013.
CFB Cold Lake, CNRL
Company officials said the leak - at what it calls its Primrose operation - was caused by faulty machinery at one of the wells, affected an area of approximately 13.5 hectares and released as much as 3,200 litres of bitumen each day.
CFB Cold Lake, CNRL
Preliminary tallies put the death toll from the leak at 16 birds, seven small mammals and 38 amphibians. Dozen were rescued and taken to an Edmonton centre for rehabilitation.
CFB Cold Lake
As of early August 2013, more than 1.1 million litres of bitumen had been pulled from marshlands, bushes and waterways.
CFB Cold Lake, CNRL
Although CNRL could not say when the leak may finally be stopped, it estimates it will likely cost more than $40 million to clean up.
Other recent spill in Alberta
Plains Midstream
Little Buffalo band member Melina Laboucan-Massimo scoops up July 13, 2012 what appears to oil from the pond shoreline near the site of a 4.5 million-litre Plains Midstream pipeline leak detected April 29, 2011. Photos taken at the site and released by Greenpeace of Alberta's second-worst pipeline spill suggest at least part of the site remains heavily contaminated despite company suggestions that the cleanup is complete.
Plains Midstream Canada
A boat passes by a boom stretching out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
Debris pushes up against a boom as it stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
Plains Midstream Canada
A boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream
A boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
A photographer snaps a boom stretching out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
A boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
A worker slows traffic while a boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the Gleniffer reservoir near Innisfail, Alta., Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
A no swimming sign along the banks of the Gleniffer reservoir while a boom stretches out to contain a pipeline leak on the lake near Innisfail, Alta., Friday, June 12, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of sour crude near Sundre, Alberta, on June 7 and flowed downstream in the Red Deer river to the reservoir.
Plains Midstream Canada
Oil from a pipeline leak coats a pond near Sundre, Alta., Friday, June 8, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipeline leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of oil.
Plains Midstream Canada
Oil from a pipeline leak coats a pond near Sundre, Alta., Friday, June 8, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipeline leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of oil.
Plains Midstream Canada
Oil from a pipeline leak coats a pond near Sundre, Alta., Friday, June 8, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipeline leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of oil.
Plains Midstream Canada
Tracks pass through oil on the banks of the Gleniffer reservoir after a pipeline leak near Sundre, Alta., on Friday, June 8, 2012. Plains Midstream Canada says one of their non-functioning pipelines leaked between 1,000-3,000 barrels of oil.
Enbrige's Athabasca pipeline
Approximately 1,450 barrels of oil spilled from a pumping station along Enbridge’s Athabasca pipeline in June 2012.
The spill occurred approximately 24 kilometres from Elk Point, Alta., a village located 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
Lake Wabamun
Wreckage from the August 3rd train derailment and subsequent oil spill is seen lining
the shore of Lake Wabamun on Monday, August 8, 2005, as clean-up continues.
Lake Wabamun
Wreckage and black oil from the August 3rd train derailment and subsequent oil spill are seen lining
the shore and waters of Lake Wabamun on Monday, August 8, 2005, as clean-up continues.
Lake Wabamun
White absorbent boom is seen lining the shores of Lake Wabamun, Alberta, as the clean-up effort
from the August 3rd train derailment and subsequent oil spill continues on Monday, August 8, 2005.
Lake Wabamun
Wreckage and black oil from the August 3rd train derailment and subsequent oil spill are seen lining
the shore and waters of Lake Wabamun on Monday, August 8, 2005, as clean-up continues.
Lake Wabamun
Wreckage and black oil from the August 3rd train derailment and subsequent oil spill are seen lining the shore and waters of Lake Wabamun on Monday, August 8, 2005, as clean-up continues. Lake Wabamun was severely polluted when a train carrying heavy oil derailed on August 3, 2005, spilling much of it's load into the lake.
Lake Wabamun
Rail cars leak bunker fuel oil, meters from summer homes bordering Lake Wabamun, after a freight train derailed, in this August 3, 2005 file photo, near the town of Wabamun, Alta. Canadian National Railway faces an environmental charge stemming from the train derailment and oil spill at a popular Alberta lake last summer.
Jobs with and without degree
HIGHEST PAYING JOBS IN CANADA THAT DON'T NECESSARILY NEED A DEGREE
14: Pilot
Average salary $44,224.00
13: Farmer
Average salary: $46,213.00
12: Secretary
Yes, apparently they still have secretaries.
Average salary: $46,369.00
11: Truck Driver
Average salary: $47,562.00
10: Financial advisor
Average salary: $52,635.00
*Having some sort of certification in finance or business would likely help in this career, but isn't necessary.
9: Bricklayer
Average salary: $53,017.00
8: Recruiter
Average salary: $54,048.00
*Though a degree isn't required, you may be at a disadvantage when searching for work as a recruiter against those with degrees in human resources.
7: Mechanic
Average salary: $54,279.00
6: Train driver
Average salary: $56,640.00
5: Human resources manager
Average salary: $58,033.00
*As with recruiters, you my be at a disadvantage in this field against those with a human resources degree.
4: Electrician
Average salary: $62,526.00
3: Electrical engineer
Average salary: $81,349.00
*Adzuna explains: For some electrical engineering jobs, a degree is required, and for others it isn't — there are alternative professional qualifications.
2: Real estate agent
Average salary: $88,200.00
1: Mining and construction
Average salary: $93,320.00
WHERE ARE THE GRAD JOBS?
Energy / oil and gas - 1,906 jobs
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Information technology - 2,559
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Consultancy - 3,434
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Sales - 3,638
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Engineering (best)- 4,968
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
BEST-PAYING DEGREE SUBJECTS
Mechanical engineering - $68,075
Source: Adzuna
Engineering (overall) - $67,036
Source: Adzuna
Electrical engineering - $67,712
Source: Adzuna
Software engineering - $67,274
Source: Adzuna
Civil engineering (best) - $68,356
Source: Adzuna
WORST-PAYING GRAD JOBS BY SECTOR
PR, advertising and marketing - $42,209
Source: Adzuna
Social work - $42,204
Source: Adzuna
Human resources and recruitment - $42,195
Source: Adzuna
Sales - $41,463
Source: Adzuna
Creative & design (worst) - $36,805
Source: Adzuna
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF GRADUATE JOBS
Manitoba - 28 grads per job
Average starting salary: $45,650.
British Columbia - 20 grads per job
Average starting salary: $45,450.
Saskatchewan - 15.8 grads per job
Average starting salary: $59,059.
Newfoundland - 13.9 grads per job
Average starting salary: $52,620.
Prince Edward Island - 10.6 grads per job
Average starting salary: $36,776.
Alberta - 9.4 grads per job
Average starting salary: $59,957
14: Pilot
Average salary $44,224.00
13: Farmer
Average salary: $46,213.00
12: Secretary
Yes, apparently they still have secretaries.
Average salary: $46,369.00
11: Truck Driver
Average salary: $47,562.00
10: Financial advisor
Average salary: $52,635.00
*Having some sort of certification in finance or business would likely help in this career, but isn't necessary.
9: Bricklayer
Average salary: $53,017.00
8: Recruiter
Average salary: $54,048.00
*Though a degree isn't required, you may be at a disadvantage when searching for work as a recruiter against those with degrees in human resources.
7: Mechanic
Average salary: $54,279.00
6: Train driver
Average salary: $56,640.00
5: Human resources manager
Average salary: $58,033.00
*As with recruiters, you my be at a disadvantage in this field against those with a human resources degree.
4: Electrician
Average salary: $62,526.00
3: Electrical engineer
Average salary: $81,349.00
*Adzuna explains: For some electrical engineering jobs, a degree is required, and for others it isn't — there are alternative professional qualifications.
2: Real estate agent
Average salary: $88,200.00
1: Mining and construction
Average salary: $93,320.00
WHERE ARE THE GRAD JOBS?
Energy / oil and gas - 1,906 jobs
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Information technology - 2,559
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Consultancy - 3,434
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Sales - 3,638
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
Engineering (best)- 4,968
Number of jobs available at time of Adzuna survey
BEST-PAYING DEGREE SUBJECTS
Mechanical engineering - $68,075
Source: Adzuna
Engineering (overall) - $67,036
Source: Adzuna
Electrical engineering - $67,712
Source: Adzuna
Software engineering - $67,274
Source: Adzuna
Civil engineering (best) - $68,356
Source: Adzuna
WORST-PAYING GRAD JOBS BY SECTOR
PR, advertising and marketing - $42,209
Source: Adzuna
Social work - $42,204
Source: Adzuna
Human resources and recruitment - $42,195
Source: Adzuna
Sales - $41,463
Source: Adzuna
Creative & design (worst) - $36,805
Source: Adzuna
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF GRADUATE JOBS
Manitoba - 28 grads per job
Average starting salary: $45,650.
British Columbia - 20 grads per job
Average starting salary: $45,450.
Saskatchewan - 15.8 grads per job
Average starting salary: $59,059.
Newfoundland - 13.9 grads per job
Average starting salary: $52,620.
Prince Edward Island - 10.6 grads per job
Average starting salary: $36,776.
Alberta - 9.4 grads per job
Average starting salary: $59,957
Canada's Best, Worst Job Markets
Source: StatsCan
WORST: P.E.I. - 15.5 job seekers per job
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 8 job-seekers
Newfoundland - 14.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 11.2 job-seekers
New Brunswick - 12.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 8.6 job-seekers
Nova Scotia - 9.3
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 9.1 job-seekers
Ontario - 8.2
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 7 job-seekers
Quebec - 8.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 6.5 job-seekers
Canada - 6.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.2 job-seekers
British Columbia - 5.2
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.3 job-seekers
Manitoba - 4.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.4 job-seekers
Saskatchewan - 2.7
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
BEST: Alberta - 2.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.7 job-seekers
BEST, WORST INDUSTRIES BY JOB-SEEKERS RATIO
WORST: Education - 9.8 job-seekers
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 11.2 job-seekers
Construction - 6.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.9
Manufacturing - 5.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.0 job-seekers
Retail - 4.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.9 job-seekers
Admin and support services - 4.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.4
Oil, gas and mining - 4.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 2.1 job-seekers
Transportation and warehousing - 3.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 2.4 job-seekers
Wholesale trade - 2.9
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
Accommodation and food services - 2.9
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.0 job-seekers
Professional, scientific & technical services - 2.3
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
BEST: Health care / social assistance - 1.7
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.1 job-seekers
Which Industries Are Creating Jobs?
Manufacturing: 24,600 fewer jobs (WORST)
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Source: Conference Board of Canada
Public administration: 23,600 fewer jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
"Other services": 12,500 fewer jobs
"Other services" includes laundry, gardening, hairdressing and massage, among other things.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Utilities: 7,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Information & cultural industries: 14,600 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Finance, insurance and real estate: 47,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Transportation and warehousing: 52,700 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Business/building and other support services: 61,300 more jobs
Includes janitorial services, waste collection, security services, travel agencies, call centres and tour operators.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Education: 61,400 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Natural resources: 65,100 more jobs
Includes oil and gas, mining, forestry and fishing.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Wholesale trade: 71,800 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Accommodation and food services: 93,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Professional, scientific & technical services: 161,700 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Construction: 207,800 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Health care and social assistance: 248,400 more jobs (BEST)
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
WORST: P.E.I. - 15.5 job seekers per job
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 8 job-seekers
Newfoundland - 14.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 11.2 job-seekers
New Brunswick - 12.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 8.6 job-seekers
Nova Scotia - 9.3
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 9.1 job-seekers
Ontario - 8.2
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 7 job-seekers
Quebec - 8.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 6.5 job-seekers
Canada - 6.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.2 job-seekers
British Columbia - 5.2
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.3 job-seekers
Manitoba - 4.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.4 job-seekers
Saskatchewan - 2.7
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
BEST: Alberta - 2.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.7 job-seekers
BEST, WORST INDUSTRIES BY JOB-SEEKERS RATIO
WORST: Education - 9.8 job-seekers
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 11.2 job-seekers
Construction - 6.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.9
Manufacturing - 5.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 5.0 job-seekers
Retail - 4.1
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.9 job-seekers
Admin and support services - 4.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.4
Oil, gas and mining - 4.0
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 2.1 job-seekers
Transportation and warehousing - 3.5
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 2.4 job-seekers
Wholesale trade - 2.9
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
Accommodation and food services - 2.9
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 3.0 job-seekers
Professional, scientific & technical services - 2.3
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.9 job-seekers
BEST: Health care / social assistance - 1.7
Number of job-seekers per job available, September 2013.
September 2012: 1.1 job-seekers
Which Industries Are Creating Jobs?
Manufacturing: 24,600 fewer jobs (WORST)
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Source: Conference Board of Canada
Public administration: 23,600 fewer jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
"Other services": 12,500 fewer jobs
"Other services" includes laundry, gardening, hairdressing and massage, among other things.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Utilities: 7,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Information & cultural industries: 14,600 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Finance, insurance and real estate: 47,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Transportation and warehousing: 52,700 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Business/building and other support services: 61,300 more jobs
Includes janitorial services, waste collection, security services, travel agencies, call centres and tour operators.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Education: 61,400 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Natural resources: 65,100 more jobs
Includes oil and gas, mining, forestry and fishing.
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Wholesale trade: 71,800 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Accommodation and food services: 93,000 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Professional, scientific & technical services: 161,700 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Construction: 207,800 more jobs
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Health care and social assistance: 248,400 more jobs (BEST)
Total gains or losses in the number of jobs, July 2009 to Sept. 2013.
Provinces In The Most Financial Trouble
Provincial Debt Per Person
Alberta: $3,122 cumulative surplus
Alberta's cumulative surplus shrank this year to due the province's budget deficit. Last year, Alberta taxpayers were up $4,337 per person.
Saskatchewan: $3,542 debt per person
British Columbia: $8,249 debt per person
Manitoba: $12,722 debt per person
New Brunswick: $14,553 debt per person
New Brunswick has seen its debt shoot up. Last year, it was only $13,336 debt per person.
Nova Scotia: $14,708 debt per person
Newfoundland: $16,743 debt per person
Federal debt: $17,451 per person
Ontario: $18,717 debt per person
Quebec: $21,922 debt per person
P.E.I.: Data not available
................................................
PROVINCIAL BUDGET DEFICITS, 2012-2013
Saskatchewan: $58 million surplus
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
P.E.I.: $69 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Nova Scotia: $302 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
New Brunswick: $411 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Manitoba: $583 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Newfoundland - $431 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
British Columbia: $1.1 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Quebec: $1.5 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Alberta: $2.8 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Ontario: $9.8 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Federal: $25.9 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Alberta: $3,122 cumulative surplus
Alberta's cumulative surplus shrank this year to due the province's budget deficit. Last year, Alberta taxpayers were up $4,337 per person.
Saskatchewan: $3,542 debt per person
British Columbia: $8,249 debt per person
Manitoba: $12,722 debt per person
New Brunswick: $14,553 debt per person
New Brunswick has seen its debt shoot up. Last year, it was only $13,336 debt per person.
Nova Scotia: $14,708 debt per person
Newfoundland: $16,743 debt per person
Federal debt: $17,451 per person
Ontario: $18,717 debt per person
Quebec: $21,922 debt per person
P.E.I.: Data not available
................................................
PROVINCIAL BUDGET DEFICITS, 2012-2013
Saskatchewan: $58 million surplus
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
P.E.I.: $69 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Nova Scotia: $302 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
New Brunswick: $411 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Manitoba: $583 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Newfoundland - $431 million deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
British Columbia: $1.1 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Quebec: $1.5 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Alberta: $2.8 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Ontario: $9.8 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
Federal: $25.9 billion deficit
Government budget balance for fiscal 2012-2013, according to data compiled by RBC.
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