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Vriend v. Alberta at 10 Years: The Court, the Osgoode School of Law's website, pays tribute to the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada's decision, Vriend v. Alberta, [1998] 1.S.C.R. 493. The article considers the decision to be a “defining moment in the rights of gays and lesbians in Canada. The Vriend decision gave complete protection of anti-discrimination legislation to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Alberta – a right available to the LGBT community in practically every other jurisdiction in Canada.”
Link: “Vriend v. Alberta at 10 Years,” by Nicole Curling, April 18, 2008, The Court, Osgoode Law School.
Perks for Older Workers: A survey conducted by Ipsos Reid for RBC found that there are several key factors that employers need to keep in mind to attract and retain older employees. Extended health care benefits was the most important one, followed by flexible work hours, having a guaranteed salary, and phased retirement. As well, employed Canadians age 55 and older also would like to have on average 6.4 weeks of vacation a year.
Links: The Competition for Canadian Talent, RBC Survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, April 15, 2008,RBC Media Newsroom; “What it will take to keep ageing staff; RBC Poll; Seniors willing to work, but on their own terms,” by John Morrissy, National Post, April 16, 2008.
Youth in the Canadian Labour Market: A study released by the Canadian Policy Research Networks has found that Canada 's youth are not well-prepared to navigate educational and career choices, or to be able to fully use the skills and knowledge they gain through education in their jobs. The study examines how employer demand is conveyed to students and how well the skills that young people gain are used on the job.
Link: Connecting Supply and Demand in Canada's Youth Labour Market, by Richard Brisbois, Larry Orton, Ron Saunders, Canadian Policy Research Network, April 17, 2008 (63 pages, PDF)
Economic Forecasts by Canadian Banks: Below are links to the most recent economic forecasts by some Canadian banks. The forecasts include CPI, unemployment rates, etc.
Links: Canadian Economic Outlook, BMO Capital Markets Economics, April 18, 2008 (one page,PDF). Forecast, CIBC World Markets, April 14, 2008 (12 pages, PDF); Monthly Economic Monitor,National Bank, April 2008 (nine pages, PDF); Economic Forecast Detail – Canada, RBC, April 3, 2008 (one page, PDF); TD Quarterly Economic Forecast, TD Economics, March 19, 2008 (19 pages,PDF).
Number of Temporary Foreign Workers in Construction is on the Rise: A study released by the Construction Sector Council finds that the number of temporary foreign workers being used to meet short-term peak demand in the construction industry is on the rise, especially in Alberta , British Columbia, and Ontario. The study examines how many temporary foreign workers there are in the industry, where they are coming from and where they are going to work.
Link: Temporary Foreign Workers in the Canadian Construction Industry: An Analysis of Programs and Mechanisms, Construction Sector Council, April 18, 2008 (56, pages, PDF); News release, April 17, 2008.
Discussion Paper on Immigration: The Canadian Centre for Policy Studies has released a paper concerning Canada 's immigration and refugee policy and process. The paper identifies deficiencies and makes recommendations on how to fix these problems.
Links: Demography is Destiny: Toward a Canada First-Immigration Policy, by James Bissett, Canadian Centre for Policy Studies, April 15, 2008, ( 20 pages, PDF)
Workforce Development Act Introduced in Manitoba's Legislature: The Advisory Council on Workforce Development Act, introduced on April 15 th, would create an advisory council to provide information and advice to government about workforce trends, initiatives, policies and strategies for developing Manitoba 's workforce. The advisory council would consist of seven to 10 people appointed on the recommendation of industry sector councils, as well as provincial representatives.
Links: The Advisory Council on Workforce Development Act, Bill 21, Second Session, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, Thirty-Ninth Legislature, April 2008 (1 page, html)
Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement: Legislation has been introduced to implement the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) between British Columbia and Alberta. The Act will provide dispute resolution procedures and establish a right of appeal, including judicial review of panel decisions, that will help the TILMA become a powerful instrument to support and sustain economic growth in Canada's two westernmost provinces.
Links: News release, April 17, 2008; Backgrounder, April 17, 2008; TILMA website; The Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Bill 1, Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement Implementation Statutes Ammendment Act, April 16th, 2008 (46 pages, PDF)
Problems with Canada's Productivity Growth: A paper released by the Institute for Research on Public Policy looks at Canada's disappointing productivity record. The study found that Canada 's poor performance on the commercial innovation front is largely due to an absence of opportunities and rewards for entrepreneurship. The study suggests that if Canadian governments are serious about reducing the innovation gap, they will have to implement politically difficult tax reform and market-opening ideas.
Link: Innovation and the Productivity Problem: Any Remedies? By Donald G. McFetridge, Institute for Research on Public Policy, April 17, 2008 (36 pages, PDF).
The Social Impact of Globalisation in the EU: A paper released by the Centre for European Policy Studies, examines the social impact and policy challenges of globalisation for the EU economies. The study finds that the EU must balance its efforts to boost competitiveness by offering sufficient protection to those vulnerable to the changes and uncertainties that globalisation will bring. The paper looks at outsourcing, migration and flexicurity.
Link: Is Social Europe Fit for Globalisation? A study of the social impact of globalisation in the European Union, by Iain Begg, Juraj Draxler, and Jørgen Mortensen, Centre for European Policy Studies, April 11, 2008 (223 pages, PDF).