Leadership Perspectives

In this episode we explore the changing relationship around energy and potential for Canada. We delve into what leading economists think we should take away from the Memorandum of Understanding between the Alberta and Federal governments might mean for moving energy investments forward. We also delve into what it will take to get spending in energy flowing again after the stagnation over the past 10 years. We also explore whether energy investments and growth can occur at the same...

In this episode we dive into a major shift in the world of economics: the rise of high-frequency data. From job postings and air traffic stats to real-time payments and mobility trends, economists are increasingly turning to non-traditional data sources to make sense of a rapidly evolving economy. Unlike traditional economic indicators that are released annually or quarterly, high-frequency data is collected and updated daily or even hourly. It offers a near real-time snapshot of economic act...

Some argue that market concentration in their sectors is inevitable. They say Canada’s small population, vast geography, and global competition create natural monopolies—and that protecting their dominance is necessary to build globally competitive companies. But is that true? In this episode, the co-authors of the book The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians, Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar join me to talk about the realities of competition in Canada and the steps we need ...

As we experience the hottest summer on record, reaching our Net Zero goals has become one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Canada's target is to achieve a net-zero economy—either emitting no greenhouse gases or offsetting any emissions—by 2050, with critical milestones set for 2030. In this episode, we examine Canada’s progress toward these goals and explore how the economics of this transition will impact Canadians in various ways. Our guests: Tony Bonen, Executive Director, Econom...

The April 2024 federal budget is like game seven of a Stanley Cup playoff run for economists. It’s a critical time when decisions on spending and taxation are made that can help or hinder our economic direction. In this special episode we call on various members of The Conference Board of Canada’s economic forecasting unit to help make sense of the key announcements in the budget. Join us to hear their take on the impacts of federal budget 2024.

In this episode, we delve into the minds of CEOs, exploring their concerns and insights as revealed in the 25th edition of the C-Suite survey conducted by The Conference Board. Our guests, Dana Peterson, Chief Economist, The Conference Board and Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, The Conference Board of Canada provide a comprehensive analysis of the survey results, shedding light on the external and internal risks preoccupying global, US, and Canadian business leaders. About our guests: Pedro ...

Over the past months, various players have come out to point a finger at the role immigration is playing in a long list of what ails our country. From inflation, to housing affordability, to struggling post-secondary institutions, new Canadians have become an easy target. Our guests Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at the Conference Board and Kathryn Dennler, Senior Researcher in the Conference Board’s Immigration Knowledge Area to shed some light on the realities of Canada’s...

The year 2023 has already marked itself as Canada's worst forest fire season in history, and it's only July. A glance at today's fire map reveals almost every province battling blazes that have spiraled out of control. In this episode, our guests Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist of The Conference Board of Canada and Derek Nighbor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Forest Products Association of Canada, discuss the impacts on people, the economy and communities of the forest fi...

In this episode, our guests Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist of The Conference Board of Canada, and Kevin Page, founding President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa, discuss the evolving definition of fiscal responsibility in 2023. They address key issues such as the lack of consensus around debts and deficits, the influence of macroeconomic drivers on federal spending, the potential need for revenue increases, and the consequences of borrowing...

In this episode of Economics Matters, we look behind the curtain at the world of economic forecasting. Our colleague Ted Mallett, The Conference Board of Canada’s Director of Economic Forecasting, gives us his take on how he and his team approach business of economic forecasting. We discuss the mechanics of economic forecasting, the models, the data sources as well as the ways in which Ted and his team incorporate observations on human behaviours to guide the outputs of the models...

Canada used to pride itself as being one of the best places to live in the world, but our international ranking is on the decline. Many people have questions about the long-term economic growth path for the country. How will demographic issues—high retirements and low birth rates—impact the country? Will Canada ever solve the innovation and productivity challenge that we face? How can Canadian policy-makers take steps today to help to build a better future. In this episode, we hear two leadin...

Canadian Universities and Colleges are increasingly welcoming students from around the world to study in Canada. We estimate that over the last ten years, over a million international students have come to study in Canada. And that number is rising. International students represent some of the best and the brightest from around the world. They come to Canadian post-secondary institutions hoping to get a world-class education and in many instances an opportunity to co...

This is the first episode of Economics Matters, a Signal49 Research podcast. This series will bring you some of the leading economic thinkers from Canada and around the world to talk about key issues in the economy. In our first episode, we deal with one of the biggest questions facing our economy— what is Canada’s risk of falling into a recession and what, if anything, can be done about it. To answer this question, our guests this episode share their views on whether Canada’s rec...