Mental health litigation is increasing in Canada

Mental health issues in the workplace cost the Canadian economy fifty billion dollars each year and its importance as an issue facing society is sure to grow going forward. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has released a great report on mental health in the workplace and its worth the read as it provides useful insights on the scope of this growing problem and the legal implications at play. Link below:

Tracking the perfect Legal Storm

International Labour Organization to release dreary report

A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) coming out later today paints a stark picture of ongoing problems in the global labour market with concerns being raised about long-term unemployment and youth joblessness, here's a article offering a sneak peak and I will link the actual report when it becomes available.

ILO say long "labour market recession" worsens social outlook in many countries

Mark Carney Discusses Labour Market

Here's a link to a press release discussing Mark Carney's, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, feelings about the state of the Canadian labour market.

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney Discusses Employment in a Modest Recovery

Expect hiring spree soon: Conference Board

The Conference Board of Canada is reporting that employers in all Canadian provinces may soon embark upon a hiring spree, with Saskatchewan leading the way in terms of job growth. Link below:

Hiring spree expected

Recession hit students hardest

Students were among the hardest hit portion of the Canadian population during the last recession with many being left jobless and unable to pay for their educations, link below:

Student employment rate drops to 45% during recession

Federal Government to raise EI rates

Jim Flaherty announced today that the Federal Government will be raising the Employment Insurance rates come January 1, 2011, but that the amount will be less than expected. Link below:

Flaherty reduces EI premium hikes

The dark frontiers of social networking: cyber-bullying and suicide

With the release of The Social Network, today is a good day to discuss social networks and related issues. The negative effects of the rise of social networks have been in the news as of late with the rapid dissemination of child pornography by teenagers in British Columbia and the tragic case arising from Rutgers where a young man committed suicide after being outed and having an intimate encounter broadcast over the internet by his roommate. With the rapid development of new technologies in incumbent on everyone using these mediums to recognized the potentially negative consequences of what can happen when these technologies are abused. Below I've linked to two timely reports, one discussing the Rutgers case and another examining the actions of Andrew Shirvell, a Assistant Attorney General in Michigan, who is essentially cyber-bullying a student at the University of Michigan. 

Suicide and the Internet

Anderson Cooper Interviews Andrew Shirvell

U.S. consumer confidence down

Here's an interesting article discussing how consumer confidence in the United States is dropping, link below:

U.S. consumer confidence on the wane

No double dip recession: Conference Board

Here's an interesting article about how the Conference Board is predicting that there will not be a double dip recession and how the slow recovery that we're now experience was predicted. Link below:

Fears of double dip are overplayed, conference board says

Did the recession put your retirement on hold?

One of the impacts of the recession is that it has delayed the retirement plans of a great many baby boomers which has the unfortunate effect of delaying the entry of younger workers into the labour market which will have demographic impact for decades to come. I've attached a link below to an article discussing why people are delaying their plans:

Recession put retirements on hold

Over 50 and out of work?

Here's an interesting website that details the impact of the recession on older Americans, link below:

Stories of the Great Recession

Politicians plot next move with slowdown in stimulus spending

Political parties in Ottawa are plotting strategy in the wake of the recent announcement that stimulus spending is coming to an end. With the recession over decisions have to be made to determine what course the economy is going to take in the coming years, link below:

With stimulus winding down, debate shift to lost jobs

Why it's bad to drink on the job

A number of workers at a Chrysler plant in Detroit, Michigan have found themselves out of jobs because of the work of an investigative journalist at a local television station, early this month they were allegedly caught drinking alcohol out of paper bags during their lunch break. While the laws involving unionized workers differ between Canada and the United States getting caught drinking on the job will result in discipline in most cases, link below:

Era of boozing on the job over, experts say

Human Rights Tribunal has power to appoint deans: decision

Yesterday the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) stated unequivocally in a decision that it has the power to both remove and appoint university deans. This decision following a hearing on the interim remedies that Professor Emily Carasco, a Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor, was requesting in the ongoing litigation against the university and another professor over the decision not to make her the Dean. Also in the Tribunal's decision came a refusal to grant an interim order to halt the work of a new search committee set up to find a Dean for the Faculty of Law which the Tribunal said was unnecessary given it power to remove and appoint. A side effect of this decision may be that potential applicants to the position may be discouraged to apply for the position given that it may be eventually stripped away from them. Link below:


Human Rights Tribunal rules it can name university deans

Why are universities training too many teachers?

I come from a long line of teachers and educational issues are an oft discussed topic around the dinner table. A couple years back at my graduation ceremony from law school my mother, who is a high-school teacher, remarked upon seeing the high number of teaching graduate listed in the program: "Why are they graduating so many teachers when there aren't jobs for them?". She raises a good point. It's poor public policy for provincial governments across Canada to allow universities to increase the number of people allowed to enroll into Teacher's College and deeply unfair to the would be teachers who enter the job market with little chance of finding stable employment in their chosen profession. I've attached a link below discussing the situation in British Columbia.

Shrinking budgets, aging teachers create tough job market

Is there widespread discrimination in the legal profession?

Peter Mokua Gichuru is asking the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal that it take judicial notice of the widespread practice of discrimination in the legal profession in Canada. This issue arose after the Law Society of British Columbia asked applicants for temporary articling position that they disclose any history of mental illness as part of the application process. Link below:

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal asked to take "judicial notice" of discrimination in legal profession 

How the economic order is changing, at home and abroad

Here's an interesting article about the changing economic order in Canada and globally, link below:

Jestin: Emerging economies driving economy

Is the Federal Government doing enough to reform EI?

Here's an opinion piece that appeared in the Toronto Star today about the Employment Insurance (EI), the main complaint being that there has not been enough of an effort on the part of the ruling Tories to address the systemic problem with the current structure of EI. Link below:

Tories not doing enough to fix EI program

Is Toronto the best city in the world for employers?

Is Toronto the best city for employers in the world? Aon Consulting seems to think so, its People Risk Index ranked Toronto number one, the criteria was based upon demographic trends, educational achievement, labour market, and other areas. Links below:

People Risk Index

Toronto best global city for employers, Montreal 5th

Adults changing careers: how to do it?

Here's an article that addresses issues relating to adult education and how people can benefit from obtaining further education. If one is considering pursuing a new career the best advice is to fully explore the options available to you and do comprehensive research including: setting up informational interviews with leaders in the field, canvassing what educational options are available, weighing the pros and cons of each option, and discussing these options with your family, friends, and professionals in the field. Link below:

Career transformation has its own rewards

Are you protected under Ontario law if you report harassment?

Here's an article that addresses the changes that were implemented under Bill 68 with respect to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and how the new rules actually operate in the workplace. The main content of the article addresses reporting incidents of harassment in the workplace, interesting read:

You are protected if you launch a complaint

Happiness in the workplace: is it necessary?

Here's an interesting article discussing the concept of happiness in the workplace and whether employers should mandate employees to be happy, the link is below and it's a fascinating discussion:

They're taking all the fun outta fun

How should businesses deal with failure?

Here's an interesting article that discussing making mistakes in the workplace and how they should be dealt with, interesting read:

Workplace culture has room to accommodate mistakes

Business argue against EI changes

Here's an article detailing the campaign by some sectors of the business world to derail any reforms of the Employment Insurance systems, link below:

Don't support EI bill, businesses urge MPs

EI hike possibly delayed for a year

This article suggests that Harper is going to delay any hikes in Employment Insurance for at least a year, link below:

EI hike likely later than sooner

Mapping the racial divide in American cities

I have never lived in an American city, but I have spent a fair amount of time in the United States over the years, particularly in Detroit. I came across this fascinating article about mapping the racial makeup of American cities earlier today, it shows a number of American cities and some of the maps paint quite a stark portrait of the state of the union. Link below:

Revealed: The maps that show the racial breakdown of American's biggest cities

If you want to stay married don't marry the ballerina

Here's a fascinating article that breaks down a study that analyzes which occupations have the highest rate of divorce, link below:

Study breaks down divorce rates by occupation

Working in Chapters with a Ph.D?

I have a lot of friends who are overqualified for their jobs, yet due to a galaxy of reasons they stay put and continue on working at their positions. Canada is one of the worst countries in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for highly skilled graduates to be overqualified for their jobs. I've linked an article from the Economist below, interesting food for thought:

Critical Thinking

Are governments in Canada doing enough for Aboriginal education?

Despite a lot of focus on Aboriginal education in the past year, there doesn't seem to be much being done about. Today the various education ministers reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the complex nature of Aboriginal education, but words are simply not enough in the face of prolonged stagnation on this file. With a new generation of Aboriginal students coming up through the provincial systems it's time to address all aspects with comprehensive and decisive action. Link below:

Aboriginal education a priority, ministers say

The changing value of a university degree

Here's an interesting article from the New York Times about the value of a university education, link below:

Value of College Degree Is Growing, Study Says

Companies are moving to the suburbs, but will young employees follow?

The suburbs to my generation, to put it mildly, are not the place to be. Yet, with cheap land prices and attractive incentive packages from suburban cities ringing Toronto, more and more businesses are leaving Toronto behind to move to places like Mississauga, Vaughn, Markham, and Richmond Hill. The question is whether young workers will follow employers out of the city. For now with a depressed job market and an economy in recession the balance leans towards employers, but with a coming talent shortage employees may be demanding a greater emphasis on work-life balance and that generally doesn't include sitting in traffic for hours. Here's an article about businesses moving out of Toronto, link below:

More GTA office tenants looking to the suburbs

Diversity and equity in corporate Canada: are we doing enough?

Here are a couple articles from the Globe and Mail on the issues of diversity, discrimination, and employment equity in the workplace. I'm a big proponent of diversity and employment equity in all organizations, be it non-profits, educational institutions, and corporations, I adopted this position long ago for a multitude of reasons,  but one overrides all others: it makes good business sense. Diverse organizations that promote and nurture the best talent have access to a world of idea that corporate monocultures don't, it gives the organizations that embrace diversity an edge and impacts the bottom-line. If you want proof, then ask yourself why the chartered banks in Canada were among the first to embrace diversity. Links below:

Beware unconscious workplace bias

RBC flexes its diversity muscles

Possible changes to the EI system on the horizon

Here's are a few perspectives on the proposed changes to the Employment Insurance program in Canada. Some form of change is in the offing since the current system is underfunded and eating into the Federal Government's funds for operations, as the changes get hashed out we'll be bringing more coverage on this issue. Links below:

CFIB Blasts Opposition MPs on "Irresponsible" Employment Insurance Bill

The 45-day work year

Getting off the EI roller-coaster

The top five American cities for job hungry students

Here's a interesting article about the top five small cities in the United States for career minded students who are hunting for jobs, link below:

5 Cities for the Career-Minded Student

Employment equity and the RCMP

Calling the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) an institution doesn't quite do it justice, it's a para-military federal police force tasked with policing one of the largest countries in the world. With that task it has developed a particular corporate culture and way of doing things that simply doesn't mesh well with twenty-first century Canada. The internal resistance to change is legendary and as we can see from the bickering from the senior echelons over the past few months the RCMP is adapting to changing conditions well. This is all very problematic when these issues come on the heels of blunders, an inquiry, and attempt by politicians to reign in the force. 


Out of these changes is a renewed focus on employment equity that seeks to diversify an organization that is made up of predominantly white males. With the force tasked with day to day policing in a variety of urban, suburban, and rural areas it makes sense to have a force that reflect the population it serves. Given the experience of the Toronto Police Service under the leadership of Bill Blair there is a very strong business case to be made for implementing equity programs to diversify the force. Link below:

Mounties to recruit for women and minorities

So when is the green jobs boom coming?

Here's an article discussing the emergence of the green technology sector and discusses how Canada fares poorly in the implementation of emerging technologies relating to business. Link below:

Experts predict 'clean technology' boom

What defines Canadian youth today?

Here's a list of defining moments in the lives of Canadian students who just entered post-secondary institutions across the country, I will say in regards to entry seven that I loved taking the ferry to PEI when I was a child. Link below:

Class of 2014: Defining Canadian Moments

Is the big university model dead?

Here's an interesting opinion piece from a University of Toronto professor who is questioning the current lifespan of the present model of university education in North America. An interesting and very timely discussion about how no one really likes what our centres of higher learning have become, link below:

You're getting the universities you want - and deserve

Is the Ontario government dropping the ball on accessibility?

The Ontario government recently posted the integrated accessibility regulation which would essentially operationalize the Accessibility for Ontarions with Disabilities Act. The regulation is coming under quite a bit of fire from advocates for people with disabilities led by the AODA Alliance. I've posted some links to the actual regulation and some websites to give perspective on the issue:

Accessibility reforms 'very weak'

Draft Brief - AODA Alliance

Proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation

Is Vic Toews engaging in age and gender discrimination in Parliament?

Niki Ashton, the twenty-eight year old Member of Parliament from Manitoba, was the target of an unfortunate attack by Vic Toews, the current Minister of Public Safety, in the House of Commons this week. In the run-up to the gun registry vote Mr. Toews stated that Ms. Ashton should follow her father's lead in opposing the gun registry. This statement reeks of paternalism and is not line of argumentation that a Cabinet Minister should be engaging in. At a time when youth participation in Canadian politics is at a low this isn't the best behavior to model to young Canadians. Young leaders like Ms. Ashton should be celebrated by all parties and not subjected to spurious attacks; furthermore, this incident points toward a double standard is a work for young, female politicians: recall the recent case of Helena Guergis who was exiled from the Conservative Party on little or no basis. Link below:


'Daddy's little girl' takes worst of gun-registry shrapnel

Little pictures: twenty-somethings, television, and the quarter-life crisis phenomena

ABC has a new show out called My Generation that examines twenty-something issues in a comedic fashion by tracing historical events from the past ten years, here's an article about it:

Talkin' 'bout My Generation

ThirdQuarter program eases Saskatchewan's worker shortage

The ThirdQuarter program is the type of response that has become necessary in response to Saskatchewan's persistent labour shortage, it's a program that's designed to keep workers over the age of fifty in the workplace as employers struggle to attract and retain employees. I've attached a link to the program website and an article discussing it below:

Program aims to keep older workers active in the workplace

Third Quarter Website

Fired for reporting a murder?

Two Orangeville women allege that they were fired in retaliation for calling police to report a blood stained car belonging to murdered nurse Sonia Varaschin in the parking lot of their employer, Greenhawk Harness & Equestrian Supplies, the employer denies this and is now involved in litigation related to their wrongful dismissal. Link below:

Lawsuit claims company fired workers for helping with a murder investigation

What's happening with human rights adjudication in B.C.?

Something is rotten in British Columbia with some complainant side human rights lawyer stating publicly that the province has entered into stealth consultations with the aim of moving workplace human rights adjudication away from the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal to another body. Interesting development and highly questionable, link below:

Concerns raised over review of conflict resolution systems

Is Twitter killing your jobs prospects?

With LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter ubiquitous amongst Generation Y, X, and increasingly boomers, it comes as no surprise that people responsible for hiring decisions are checking out people's Twitter accounts. Below I've linked to an article discussing Twitter in relation to hiring in the information technology sector:

Are your tweets costing you a new IT job?

Why doesn't Canada have a national student loan program?

Here's an interesting article discussing a couple ways that the student loan system in Canada could be made more efficient and assist students in making decisions that will have a long term financial impact on them, link below:

University loan system could be improved: report

Is the cost of education bankrupting Canadian parents?

Here's an interesting article about how over sixty percent of Canadian parents feel that they cannot afford the cost of their children's post-secondary education, scary stuff considering how the cost of education is only predicted to go up going forward. Link below:

Only 21% of parents can afford university education: poll

Second Career: is the program working?

Here's a brief update from the Second Career website that gives an overview of the success rate that participants in the program have had finding jobs, with a ninety-three percent completion rate and sixty percent employment rate after three months it seems that the programs is showing positive results. Link below:


Laid-Off Ontarions Graduating Into Second Careers

Does US Steel want a strike in Hamilton?

After four month of negotiations US Steel has requested a no board report from a provincial conciliator, which is a precursor to a possible strike in Hamilton. The company has taken a hard stand against the Federal government and its employees as of late, all of this coming after US Steel acquired the assets of Stelco. Link below:

US Steel triggers countdown to Hamilton lockout/strike

Slower Economic growth ahead: Conference Board

The Conference Board of Canada is predicting slower growth over the short term as stimulus funding dries up and household debt remains a big concern, link below:

Economic growth to slow: Conference Board

Students pick top employers

Canadian colllege and university students have spoken out about what they feel are the top employers in the country, at the top are the federal and provincial governments followed closely by Apple, Google, and Facebook. Interesting picks, link to article below:

Canadian students rank top employers

When can you fire a sick worker? The redux version

Today we hear from Daniel Lublin, a well known employment law lawyer from Toronto, about why it's important to be cautious when taking action in relation to an employee who is on medical leave, link below:

Medically ill staff are protected from impatient employers

Weak economic conditions in U.S. to persist into winter

Commentators are stating that weak economic conditions in the United States will persist into the winter months, link below:

US leading indicators up in August, suggest modest winter economic growth 

Consumers less confident about Canadian economy

Consumer spending is down for September as consumers feel less positive about the overall state of the Canadian economy, link below:

Consumers 'relapse' on hope for economy

Drop in number of people collecting EI

There has been a drop in the number of people collecting Employment Insurance, with 31,000 fewer people collecting the supplement in July over June, at last count close to 675,000 people were still receiving benefits. Link below:

Number of EI recipients drops  

Not so funny: when workplace humour crosses the line

Here's an interesting article written by a Montreal based labour and employment lawyer that discusses the tricky subject of what happens when workplace humour crosses the line. Some interesting information to consider before you carry out your next practical joke, link below:

When you're funny at work, the joke may be on you

Need a job? Calgary to lead Canadian cities in economic growth

The Conference Board of Canada is reporting that Calgary will be leading Canadian cities in GDP growth for the foreseeable future according to a recently released report. Link below:

Calgary poised to grow

Are job cuts coming in the federal civil service?

The Ottawa Citizen is reporting this morning that the Conference Board of Canada is predicting thousands of job cuts in the federal civil service for 2011 as stimulus spending ends and austerity measures kick in, link below:

PS could lose 6,200 jobs in 2011: Think-tank

Double-dip recession highly unlikely: OECD

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is predicting that there will not be a double dip recession, link below:

OECD: No global double-dip recession

Ontario isn't very innovative: report

Canada, long being a country reliant on commodities has not excelled in the world of innovation, it's simply not a defining feature of our business culture. This is something that has to change if we're to thrive in the twenty-first century and beyond. Today the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity released a report, penned by Roger Martin of Rotman, on the state of innovation in Ontario and one theme stands about all others: we need to do better, a lot better. Below is a link to an article discussing the report and the report itself:

Expanded international trade key to driving innovation in Ontario: report

Trade, innovation, and prosperity

A different way of approaching diversity

Here's an article about an interesting initiative being undertaken by Inroads Canada in the area of employment equity to diversify various corporation in Canada and the United States, interesting approach and good article:

Opportunity knocks

Inroads

Will there be a shortage of high quality jobs next year?

A report from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is warning that with the possible withdrawal of stimulus funds there will be a shortage of high-paying jobs related to administration of the stimulus program and in the construction industry. Link below:

Job quality: Will 2011's new positions match this year's?

Student debt is killing my generation

Given that education is the base for much of civilization it has always astounded me that the very things that makes us better is being priced out of existence by society. Leveling in many cases $30,000.00 plus debt on young people who are attending school is questionable public policy and a unfair burden to put on someone entering the workforce for the first time. There are countless alternatives to the current model that are progressive and could be deployed to shift and/delay the cost off students and their families. 


Below I've linked a couple recent articles, one from Canada and one from the U.S. written by the editor of one of my favourite websites Above The Law, enjoy:

Student debt limits post-grad options

Disgruntled Law Grad Brings Student Loan Woes to Obama's Attention

Software glitch in Alberta has students facing eviction

Thousands of post-secondary students in Alberta are still waiting for cheques from the provincial government to cover the cost of their education and living expenses. Link below:

Many students still waiting for cheques

When can you fire a sick worker?

Here's an interesting article written by Howard Levitt, one of Canada's foremost experts in employment law, in it he discusses when an employer should consider termination for employees who are on medical leave. Always a tricky area and one where employers should move in a deliberate fashion after getting explicit legal advice. I've provided a link to the actual article and the two cases he cites in the article:

When to cut sick staff off

Narracato v. Costco

Duong v. Linamar Corportation

Unionization on the decline in British Columbia

Here's an article that discusses the falling rate of unionization in British Columbia and a related report from the Business Council of British Columbia:

Unionization in B.C. on the decline: Business Council of BC

How are Unions Faring in Today's Economy

The politics of Employment Insurance: did the reforms fail everyone?

Here's an interesting commentary about how in the rush to reform Canada's Employment Insurance (EI) program and use the surplus it developed in the last decade created the present situation in which EI is underfunded and the only way to bring the system back into the red is through increased payroll taxes. One of the few commentators who issued a warning back when the reforms were enacted was Michael Mendelson, presently a Senior Scholar at the Caledon Institute of Social Policy and a former Deputy Minister in two provinces, he stated that the reforms would remove the counter-cyclical elements of the EI program and negatively impact on consumer spending. Links below:

Recession exposes fallacies behind EI program


EI Financing: Reset Required

Did technology kill Europe's middle class?

Here's an interesting article that traces the decline of Europe middle class to the rise of the information technology sector and increasing automation, link below:

Automatic Reaction

America's slow recovery

Here's an interesting conversation between to editors at the Economist about the state of the American recovery and the ongoing debt crisis that has befallen our southern neighbour, link below:


Get used to it

The new economy: joblessness and the American dream

Here's an interesting New York Times article that examines the recovery and examines the issue of joblessness, link below:


Recession Officially Over, but Joblessness Remains

Forty-two states see lower employment numbers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics is reporting that forty-two states saw lower employment numbers in August, compared with forty-five states in July. A slight improvement, but still cold comfort for the millions without jobs in the United States. Link below:

42 States Had Fewer Employed Workers in August

When the nest isn't so empty: parenting in the new economy

Here's an interesting article that discussing the growing phenomena of adult children moving home for periods of time for reasons as various as: poor jobs prospects, further school, saving money for a home, or simply because it's cheaper. Interesting discussion and the author brings in a global perspective that wonders out loud if this phenomena is the worst possible situation for society, link below:

Rethinking motherhood: the third act

Road to global recovery will be long, Canada's prospects good: Scotiabank

Here's a great opinion piece by Warren Jestin, the Chief Economist for Scotiabank, in which he discusses why he thinks the global recovery will take awhile and why he think Canada is well positioned for future growth. Link below:

Road to recovery will be long and winding one

Federal Reserve prepared to inject further stimulus in American economy

The Fed hinted that it was prepared to do more to boost the American economy in the face of a slowdown in the recovery in a statement released at the end of today's one-day meeting. Link below:

Fed prepared to help, no new measures today

Sex discrimination in the food service industry: overlooked for too long?

Here's are a couple interesting articles discussing the recent application to the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal by Karolina Bil alleging that her employer, the Shark Club, discriminated against her in forcing her to wear revealing clothing in the workplace and that because of this she was propositioned by customers on a number of occasions. The parent company of the Shark Club, Northland Properties Corp., filed an interim application attempting to have Ms. Bil's complaint dismissed on fairly weak arguments. Below I've attached a couple links discussing the case: 

Bartender complains of dress code sexism

Sex appeal-based hiring unacceptable in 21st century

Coalition government would cost Canada 400,000 jobs: Flaherty

Jim Flaherty, Canada's current Minister of Finance, was on the attack today in a election tinged speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa. He was attempting to throw cold water on any talk of an election and tried to link a change in government to the lost of 400,000 jobs in Canada. Considering that's about amount of jobs lost in Canada in the wake of the recession his numbers might need further attention. Below I've provided a link to his speech and some commentary on it, enjoy:

Jim Flaherty's Speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa

Election would 'jeopardize' recovery: Jim Flaherty

Different strokes: pursuing a career in retail

Jobs in retail get dumped on hard and are oft thought about as the realm of the teen or twenty-something worker, but on a continent with the most voracious consumers on the planet is it a career path that can offer a surprising amount of opportunities for the right employees. Here's a link below, it might open you up to thinking about retail in a new light:

Never discount a career in retail

American job outlook not so bleak: Deutsche Bank

A new report from Deutsche Bank states that the short to medium term outlook for jobs isn't as bleak as many people been letting on. Using household survey to gauged unemployment the bank indicated that over a million jobs have not been reported in the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics numbers. Interesting report, link below:

U.S. jobs picture not so bleak: Deutsche Bank

Japan's WTO attack could kill Ontario's green jobs strategy

Japan recently took its attack on the Ontario Green Energy Act to the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that subsidies Ontario plans for wind and solar power and a preferential bidding process violate international law. Some commentators are calling it a test case of global proportions as countries will use the result as guide in crafting policies to combat climate change. On the line are over 50,000 jobs the the province predicts will be created through the green energy initiative. Link below:

Ontario jobs threatened by Japanese trade action

Current recovery similar to those in the past, except for the jobs

Here's an article from the Financial Post that compares the current recovery to ones in the past, the results are interesting as it states that we're similarly positioned to the 92-93 and 01 recessions which had tepid job growth coming out of the downturns. Link below:

How does this recovery stack up?

Is a university education worth the cost?

Last weekend, the CBC radio show The Sunday Edition hosted a forum at Dalhousie University entitled "Is a University Education Worth the Cost". It's a fascinating discussion that hears from experts in the field of Canadian postsecondary education and is very much worth the commitment to listen to in its entirety. I've attached a link below to the show:

Is a University Education Worth the Cost?

Want job security? Go to university.

Here's an interesting article that makes a strong argument about how having a postsecondary education helps people keep their jobs during tough economic times. Link below:

College Grads Expand Lead in Job Security

Creative job hunting strategies that work

September is one of the hottest recruitment periods of the year with employers scrambling to land the best and brightest candidates, but in a sea of resumes sometimes you need that little extra panache to land your dream position. Here's an article that details some effective techniques that are not for the faint of heart:

Creative job-seeking tactics that work

European employment stable in second quarter

There was a slight drop in the employment rate across Europe, but overall the labour market appears to be stabilizing in the recovery from the recession. Link below:

Euro area employment stable in Q2

Is Alberta oil killing Ontario's manufacturing base?

Tony Clarke of the Polaris Institute thinks that the economics that the vast oil supply in Alberta has a serious downside for Ontario manufacturer and he makes a compelling argument about the distortions that the oil is causing. Link below:

Ontario pays price in jobs as loonie rises on tide of oil

Where's the economic strategy for Toronto?

I'm not one to venture into the realm of politics, but Toronto's mayoral race has been heavy on the silly (Spadina Expressway redux, a chicken suit) and light on the substance (lack of comprehensive statements on public policy, stale discourse between candidates). With this theme in mind I've attached two links below, one is a speech from the businessman Richard Peddie of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the other a commentary from the Star's business reporter David Olive, both are worth the read:

Text of Richard Peddie's speech

Olive: Rob Ford's unimaginative success

Ontario makes policy changes to keep international students

Last week the Ontario government announced that it was making a number of changes in regards to the Provincial Nominee Program to boost the number of graduates at the Masters and Ph.D level who stay in the province. Essentially the main change is that immigrants will no longer have to obtain an offer of employment before applying for permanent residence; however, the applicants will have to have: fluency in english or french, enough money to cover expenses until they find a job, and been a residence on Ontario for twelve months in the last two years. The reasoning goes that Ontario doesn't have enough skilled graduates and that in the global economy people from other cultures are an asset for the province. Two links appear below discussing the program:

Provincial Nominee Program

Changes to the Provincial Nominee Program

So you want to quit your job? Here are some tips.

It's well known that Generation Y likes to switch jobs in fashion like Lady Gaga changes clothes, but how does one leave a job on a good note so that you can use your old contacts as references and possibly secure future employment? Here's a link to an article that provides some good tips about how to leave a position in the best way possible:

How to leave a job well

Will construction and commodities drive Canada's future growth?

With the recovery struggling to take hold now is a good time to try and figure out where future economic growth will be coming from. Below I've linked an article that makes the argument that growth in Canada is going to be driven by two industries: construction and commodities. Link below:

Canada's two defining influences: commodities and construction

Why is the Federal government increasingly dependent on temp workers?

The head of the Public Service Commission of Canada, Maria Barrados, complained in a letter to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates that there was an increasing reliance on temporary workers from temp agencies in the Federal public service and suggested that certain departments  may be in breach of the Public Service Employment Act which governs employment within the Federal government. Interesting situation given the wider issue of the growing reliance on temporary workers in the private sector in Canada, link below:

Federal departments using temps to circumvent hiring rules: watchdog

The current state of Aboriginal education in Canada

Here's an interview with Shawn Atleo, the current national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, in which he discusses the state of Aboriginal education in Canada and his efforts to have the Federal government approach the issue in a meaningful, comprehensive manner. Given the growth of the Aboriginal population and the vast, untapped potential of First Nations this is worthy public policy initiative that should be resolved quickly. Link below:

AFN chief hopes Tories make grade on native education

The plight of the older worker in America

Growing old can be hard, especially if you've found yourself left behind in the new globalized economy that is increasingly dependent on high technology. Employment gives one a sense of purpose, a place in society, and a grounding from which to engage the world, when that's taking away it can leave people reeling into a downward spiral that's difficult to recover from. Here's an interesting article discussing the experience of one woman from Seattle, link below:

Older and jobless: Struggling in the U.S.

Employment prospects for college grads looking up.

Here's a link to an article from the Huffington Post which details the likely employment prospects for next year's university graduates in the United States:

Hiring Outlook Improves for Class of 2011

B.C. gov't approves Facebook, Twitter use for civil servants

The government of British Columbia is coming up with guidelines to govern the use of social media in the workplace for civil servant. With the rise of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter this is a sage decision considering that as a society were only going to get more connected going forward. Link to an article below:

Facebook, Twitter okay on the job: gov't

Why doesn't Canada have a digital strategy?

Call it the digital, knowledge, or new economy, whatever the name the driver behind has been the rapid ascent of technology. It may surprise you, but Canada lacks a comprehensive digital strategy and this is hurting the country's future economic prospects according to some experts. I've provided a link below that discusses the issue fully:

Canada lags behind in ICT

Should vacations be abolished?

Vacations will probably never go away, but the duration of vacations are getting shorter as the economy tumbles along and time demands on people continue increase. I've provided a link to an article below:

Time for a mini-vacation

Recession started in 2007, ended in June 2009: experts

The National Bureau of Economic Research, a high profile panel of American economists, stated that the recent recession started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. This is all cold comfort for the millions of Americans who continue to struggle in the face of high unemployment and dismal job prospects. Link below:

Panel declares recession ended in June 2009, marking longest downturn since great recession

The new economy: temp agencies thriving

Here's a link to a press release from the Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services which indicates that growth in the area of temporary employment is at a twenty month high. While growth is generally good, widespread precarious employment isn't good for a strong economic recovery and will impact consumer spending. Link below:


Canadian Staffing Industry index for August, strongest showing in 20 months

OECD tells America to focus on: medical reform, stimulus, and youth jobs

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released the Economic Survey of the United States. The OECD is calling for further stimulus funding, measures to combat youth unemployment, and reforms of the medical system. Links to sites discussing the OECD's findings appear below:

US employment will reach pre-crisis level only in 2013: OECD

Overview of OECD Findings

Are part-time jobs killing academic performance?

A survey of Ontario university professors has found they feel part-time jobs that students hold are damaging academic performance; furthermore, commentators have indicated that students who work in their first year of university are more likely to drop-out prior to second year thereby making this a retention issue as well. With tuition rates high and rising, the only way students can afford the cost of post-secondary education is through part-time work. 


An examination of the number in the survey reveal a couple things. There is a feminization of work, with female full-time student more likely to be engaging in part-time work than their male counterparts; additionally, behind this point, for both women and men, lies a broader socioeconomic issue about access to post-secondary education from lower income groups. The next interesting area is that the professors polled felt there was an overwhelming need to expand  remedial programs in writing and critical thinking, in this regard I disagree, universities are not the place for remedial training. If there are problems with students in these areas then it's incumbent on the secondary school curriculum to be shift to solidify training in these core areas. Students should be prepared to deal with the expectations and appropriate level of discourse at universities before they get there.


A link to the report and an article discussing the finding appear below:


OCUFA Report


Part-time jobs hurting students' academic performance, profs say

Boomer, pensions, and retirement: a recipe for social disaster?

The Retirement Planning Association of Canada is planning a conference next month which is going examine what shape retirement might look like for Canadian baby boomers. If some of the session topics are any indication Canada might have trouble brewing just over the horizon, some analysts predict: social unrest, a bankrupt social security net, and massive cut to old age security benefits. Frightening stuff, here's an article discussing the situation:

Don't count on Ottawa to fund your retirement

No one to make chocolate: New Brunswick's quest for skilled workers

New Brunswick has a labour shortage related to the skilled trades and in a resurgent economy that means lost profits and lower growth. The solution: look to French speaking countries abroad and sell the strengths of the province. Chocolate makers, professionals, and truck drivers are among the most sought after trades. The government is using New Brunswick's cheap real estate, high quality of life, and work-life balance as selling points to lure people from France and Belgium to the province. A link to an article discussing the situation appears below:

N.B. seeks foreign workers to ease labour shortage

Your mother was wrong: video games spur economic growth

Here's a great article about how a growth industry can have a tremendous impact on a neighbourhood and a city, in this case Mile's End in Montreal. Video game development is a billion dollar industry that fueled mainly by young people with creative bents. Link below:

Respawned: How video games revitalize cities

Online networking best way to new job: survey

A recent survey of Canadians shows that the best way to suitable employment is through online networking. Given the rise on on-line job boards and networking sites, this result is unsurprising, a link to an article appears below:

Networking best source of the jobs

Keeping kids in school: the ground-breaking work of Michel Perron

Previously I have written about the work of Michel Perron, a sociologist at L'université du Québec à Chicoutimi, who specializes in retention issues for students. University Affairs has an excellent article detailing his work in its latest issue and it's worth a read considering the ongoing concerns with student retention in various jurisdictions in this country. You can find a link to the article below: 


The road to retention

Trends in education: pre-experience degrees

Here's an interesting article about the trend in business school education relating to the rise of the pre-experience degrees in management designed for arts and business majors with no prior experience. Link below:

Masters of the universe: the rise of 'pre-experience' degrees

Are blind people discriminated against in Federal government hiring?

Accessibility is a growth industry, but you wouldn't know that applying for jobs with the Federal government. With a Byzantine website that's difficult to navigate at the best of times the recruitment arm of Canada's national government is stuck in the past and is stubbornly refusing to make changes to accommodate people with disabilities. Now one women is taking the issue to the Federal Court, Donna Jodhan launched an action in 2006 and is now getting a hearing about whether Federal website should get an accessibility makeover within twelve months. It'll be fascinating to see what happens, link below:


Blind woman says federal websites discriminate against the visually impaired

The new economy: when adults get schooled.

Here's a interesting article discussing the rising trend of adults going back to school to re-invent themselves, upgrade skills, or simply pursue a long held interest. When the recession hit many people took it as an opportunity to return to classroom and change paths. Link below:

Grown-ups go back to school

Regional roundup: Windsor, Kingston, Stratford

Windsor, long the poster child of all things woe, got a boost this past week from the Conference Board of Canada's report on local economies and jobs prospects. It reported that Windsor gained over 6,000 jobs in the last ten months, which is great news for a city that can't seem to catch a break. Link below:

Manufacturing jobs returning

In Kingston the unemployment rate has dropped below 6% and employers say that they face stiff competition for employees, link below:

Job market shows signs of life

In Stratford and environs the unemployment rate dipped to 6.2%, which is down 0.8%, and if one takes a look at the year over year statistics this works out to over 4,000 new jobs. Link below:

Region bucks jobless trend

So the great recession is over, what's next for Canada?

Here's an interesting article discussing the state of the Canadian economy and the short-term economic prospects for the country. Link below:

Recession may have ended, but economy still down

Canadian productivity down, threatens future growth.

Productivity is down in Canada and that has commentators worried about future long-term growth prospects for the country. Link to article below:

Canadian labour productivity slips

Saskatchewan employers have jobs, but does anyone care?

With the Saskatchewan economy booming and leading Canada in growth, one problem is looming on the horizon: the lack of workers. Employers and bureaucrats are scratching their heads in trying to develop strategies to maintain the workforce and attract new workers with thousands of positions going unfilled in the province. With the boomers nearing retirement age and many younger workers having previously left for greener pastures in Ontario and Alberta during the last decade the province has been left in a difficult position. A link to an article which discusses the issues appears below:

Workers hold the hammer in a 'help wanted' economy

Alberta increases number of permanent residence spots available to foreign workers

With Alberta experiencing a skill shortage for technical and skilled workers on the oil fields the province has decided to increase the number of available spots for permanent residency status from 4,400 to 5000. Link below:

Alberta lets more foreign worker be permanent residents

Does Canada have a problem with child labour?

Child labour isn't the first thing that pops into mind when one thinks about Canadian workplace issues, yet it might surprise people that there are no national standards governing minimum age, hours of work, or what types of employment young people can undertake. Next month the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is beginning a campaign to shed light on the issue of child labour. With Canada doing poorly in the recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report on high school retention rates this campaign might give some momentum to examine the hidden issue of child labour in Canada and the economic, social, and political issues behind it. A link to an article discussing the issue can be found before and the issue will be re-visited once the CLC's campaign is underway.

Laws to protect kid labourers too law: advocates

With recession job losses recouped, contract and part-time positions become new normal

Here's an interesting article that charts the aftermath of the recession and the various changes that it has brought to the labour market in Canada. Trouble spots include: a rise in contract and part-time positions; the duration that people remain unemployed, which now stands close to twenty weeks on average; and, the stubborn youth unemployment rate that shows no signs of abating. Link below:

Job bounce clouds worrying trends

So what makes this recession different? Nothing

Here's an interesting article that argues the current recovery with all its warts is fairly normal for the global economy coming out of a recession. Makes one wonder about about all the commentators who said that this recession was different or special. Link below:

A recession to top all recession? History says no

Economic growth may fail to meet expectations: OECD

This afternoon Angel Gurria, the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, stated that growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2010 might not meet expectations. Link below:

Recovery weaker than expected: OECD

Should Ontario be funding alcoholics with tax dollars?

The Ontario Court of Appeal has released it's decision in Ontario v. Tranchemontagne, which is a landmark decision examining issues of human rights, equality, and disability in the context of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Essentially what the Court has laid out is that the government must allow alcoholics access to ODSP benefits as forcing them onto Ontario Works, a program with lower benefits, would be discriminatory in light of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code. This is a fascinating decision that traces the devastating impact that addiction can have on a person. Links to the decision and an article appear below:


Ontario v. Tranchemontagne


Alcoholics due disability payments: Ont. court