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Recent News |
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Winter 2011
On March 31, 2011, the Bertelsmann Foundation released its 2011 Sustainable Governance Indicators report. The CSLS contributed to the report on Canada. In terms of the Sustainable Governance Status Index, Canada fell from 6th place in 2009 to 7th place in 2011 (out of 31 countries). More information on the Sustainable Governance Index is available on the SGI website.
On February 10, 2011, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released a major report on university-business research collaboration in Canada and three reference countries: the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The report, by CSLS Senior Research Associate Ian Currie, finds that Canadian businesses rely more on the higher education sector than businesses in other major OECD countries for R&D, but government policies can be strengthened to extract more economic and social value. Press Release.
On February 7, 2011, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released a synthesis of the CSLS-ICP Conference on Happiness and Public Policy held on December 1, 2010, at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. The synthesis provides an overview of the seven sessions of the conference and it reinforces that there are varying views on the interface between happiness research and public policy decisions. Public policy experts expressed more skepticism than researchers regarding how it will be incorporated into decision making at this time. The synthesis of the conference is available here.
On February 7, 2011, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released a report summarizing the services offered by private sector electronic labour exchances (ELEs) in Canada and the extent to which ELEs are being used in the Canadian labour market to match jobseekers and employers. The report finds that there is a robust private sector in ELE services in Canada. The private sector provides a broader range of services than the main public sector alternative, Job Bank. However, the report recommends that the public sector, through Job Bank, should build on its strength in providing ELE services targetted at low-skill workers and small businesses to address shortcomings in the private sector rather than duplicate their services. The report is available here.
Fall 2010
On December 30, 2010, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released the Fall issue of the International Productivity Monitor. This issue contains five articles on: the impact of the economic crisis on potential output and productivity growth in Canada; the sensitivity of estimates of Canada-U.S. capital intensity and multifactor productivity gaps to depreciation assumptions; a sectoral and provincial decomposition of Canada’s post-2000 labour productivity slowdown; the role of creative destruction in Finnish productivity performance; and the influence of public policy on manufacturing productivity growth in India. A press release for this publication is available here.
On December 1, 2010, CSLS and the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity hosted a conference on happiness in Ottawa, Canada at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. This conference took stock of the existing research on happiness and consider whether governments should have happiness as an objective for public policy and, if so, what policies they should adopt. The presentations and some photos from the conference are available here.
On November 23, 2010, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released a major study on factors influencing the happiness or life satisfaction of Canadians. The report, based on data for 70,000 Canadians from Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey and prepared in partnership with the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity (ICP), provides a comprehensive analysis of the happiness landscape in Canada, quantifies the many variables that determine happiness, and explains the variation in happiness across provinces, CMAs and health regions. The report provides strong support for the 2009 Stiglitz report commissioned by French President Nicholas Sarkozy that recommended greater emphasis be placed on happiness relative to GDP in the development of public policy. Press release and Executive Summary.
On November 18, the CSLS released a report providing an overview of developments in ICT investment in the business sector for both Canada and the United States in 2009. The report finds that the ICT investment per worker gap widened in 2009, with the ratio of nominal ICT investment per worker in Canada relative to that of the United States falling from 62.8 per cent in 2008 to 59.5 per cent in 2009. The report is based on an update to 2009 of the CSLS ICT Database.
Spring and Summer 2010
On June 24, the CSLS released a report providing new estimates of the levels and growth rates of labour, capital and multifactor productivity, labour quality, capital composition and capital intensity for Canada and the provinces at the market sector, two-digit and three-digit NAICS industry levels over the 1997-2007 period. The report finds that productivity developments in Newfoundland and Alberta -- respectively, the best- and worst-performing provinces in terms of productivity growth over the period -- were driven by the mining and oil and gas industry, which has exhibited very different productivity performances in the two provinces. In the rest of the country, the smaller provinces tended to underperform the larger ones across a variety of productivity growth metrics. The report is based on the new CSLS Provincial Productivity Database.
The CSLS also released two reports summarizing the state of knowledge on the role and impact of labour market information (LMI). The first report addresses the Canadian evidence, while the second covers the international evidence.
All three reports are now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
The Centre for the Study of Living Standards organized several sessions for the 2010 Canadian Economic Association Annual Conference, May 28 - 30, in Quebec City. The CSLS sessions will be on a variety of topics including: human capital of Aboriginals; labour productivity; happiness and well-being.
A full program of the Centre's sessions can be found here.
Details about the CEA 44th Annual Conference can be found here
On April 20, 2010, the Spring 2010 issue of the International Productivity Monitor was released.
This issue of the Monitor contains five articles. Canadian readers may be most interested in the article by Andrew Sharpe, which explores the contributions of various industries to Canada's post-2000 productivity slowdown. The author decomposes aggregate labour productivty growth into within-sector and sectoral reallocation effects. The results indicate that the reallocation of labour among sectors did not contribute to Canada's productivity slowdown. Rather, the significant decline in productivity growth in the manufacturing sector was responsible for the lion's share of the economy-wide slowdown. A press release for this article is available.
Winter 2010
On February 12, the CSLS released two new reports examining Canada's poor productivity growth since 2000. The first report investigates the perplexing fact that Canada's lagging productivity growth has occurred in an increasingly market-oriented economic policy environment. The report finds
that the high degree of market orientation of public policy that already exists in Canada suggests that the productivity-enhancing effects of further liberalization may be quite small. The second report assesses Canada's lagging productivity and develops a clear framework for future research on the issue. It is argued that such a framework, based on a set of key knowledge gaps, is badly needed if we are to understand the causes of Canada's productivity challenges. The CSLS also released a third report that summarizes previous research conducted by the CSLS on the potential benefits of increasing Aboriginal education in Canada, as well as a research note describing the developments in 2008 in the Canada-US ICT investment gap. The research note is based on the most recent update of the CSLS ICT Investment database. All three reports are now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website. The research note is available in the Research Notes section.
Fall 2009
On December 3, the CSLS released updated estimates of the Index of Economic Well-being and its four domains (consumption flows, stocks of wealth, economic equality and economic security) for Canada and the provinces and for selected OECD countries. Both in Canada and across the OECD, economic well-being has increased over the past quarter century as a result of growing per-capita consumption and wealth. However, rising economic inequality and insecurity have dampened the growth of overall economic well-being. The Index of Economic Well-being is consistent with most of the recommendations of the recently released Commission for the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress (the Stiglitz report) on what aspects of economic reality an index of economic well-being should capture. The CSLS also released a third report addressing the measurement of economic security in the Index of Economic Well-being. All three reports are now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
The CSLS newsletter for Fall 2009 is now available.
On October 22, the CSLS released a new research report examining recent productivity trends in the forest products sector. Since 2000, the productivity performance of the sector has been poor relative to the economy-wide average. This sub-par performance is entirely attributable to a productivity collapse in the paper manufacturing subsector after 2000. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website. A press release is available for this report.
Summer 2009
On September 3, the CSLS released two research reports examining productivity trends in the mining and in the oil and gas sectors. In both sectors, despite a poor productivity performance since 2000, increased activity and increased prices, coupled with a high productivity level, have translated into a positive contribution to aggregate labour productivity growth. These reports are now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website. A press release is available for this report.
As part of its collaboration with the Institute of Wellbeing, the CSLS released a report on August 12, 2009 “ The Economic Crisis through the Lens of Economic Wellbeing”. The report concludes that the current recession will erase many of the economic and standard of living gains made since the mid-1990s. Unemployment and poverty will likely continue to rise and stay at high levels for years. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
On July 27, the CSLS released a new research note “Median Wages and Productivity Growth in Canada and the United States”.Two key findings were that (1) the rise in inequality was a much more important factor for the divergence between the growth rates of labour productivity and real wages in the United States and that (2) ambiguity in the interpretation of labour share suggests the attention should be more appropriately focused on rising inequality as a key driver of the divergence between the growth of real wages and labour productivity. The note is now available in the CSLS Research Notes section of the website.
The Advisory Panel on Labour Market Information recently tabled its Final Report. The CSLS has been an active participant to the Panel through its report “Best Practices in Labour Market Information: Recommendations for Canada's LMI System,” released in July 2009. The report presented 20 recommendations to improve the operation of LMI in Canada in the areas of LMI data, LMI analysis and forecasting, and LMI dissemination. A French version is also available. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
Spring 2009
The CSLS is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors: Alan Nymark and Don Drummond. Alan Nymark recently retired from the position of Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. Don Drummond is the Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of TD Bank Financial Group.
On June 10, 2009, the Institute of Wellbeing and its signature product, the Canadian Index of Wellbeing were officially launched at the St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto. The CSLS has been an active participant in this important development, and in particular wrote the report on the living standards domain of the CIW.
On May 27, 2009, the CSLS released a new multifactor productivity database for Canada and the provinces. Unlike the earlier CSLS database, the new estimates adjust labour and capital inputs for changes in composition and are methodologically consistent with national estimates produced by Statistics Canada. The data cover the period 1997-2007 and 15 industries.
On May 27, 2009, the Spring 2009 issue of the International Productivity Monitor was released.
This issue of the Monitor contains seven articles. The article which will be of most interest to Canadian readers presents new estimates of multifactor productivity (MFP) for Canada and the provinces at the industry level. The article, by Andrew Sharpe and Jean-François Arsenault, finds that Newfoundland enjoyed the strongest multifactor productivity growth and Alberta the weakest.
In both provinces, the MFP performance of the mining and oil and gas sector - a 18.8 per cent annual increase versus a 7.4 per cent annual decline - was a determinant factor. A press release is available.
On May 21, 2009, the CSLS released a research report “The Effect of Increasing Aboriginal Educational Attainment on the Labour Force, Output and the Fiscal Balance”. This report examines the potential economic gains of increased Aboriginal education, as well as the fiscal implications of increased education and improved Aboriginal social well-being for Canadian governments to 2026. Most notably, it conludes that if the Aboriginal population were to attain complete economic and social parity with the non-Aboriginal population, Canadian governments would improve their balance sheets by nearly $12 billion in 2026 alone. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
On May 13, 2009, the CSLS released a research report “The Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway: A Situational Analysis of Human Resources Needs”. This report examines human resource and skills issues pertaining to the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor over the short- to medium-term and concludes that despite the economic downturn, there may be shortages of skilled labour in certain occupations. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website. A French version is also available.
On May 12, 2009, the CSLS released a research report “A Review of the Potential Impacts of the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements in Canada”. The report concludes that the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements result in annual fiscal savings of $8.5 million to the federal and five provincial governments covered by the program, with total lifetime benefits of one year of Métis programming reaching $103 million. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website. A press release is available for this report.
Sessions organized by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Economics Association
April 24, 2009 -- The CSLS is organizing six sessions to be held at the annual meeting of the Canadian Economics Association at the University of Toronto, May 29-31, 2009. Topics to be covered this year include aboriginals, measuring productivity, the impact of the economic crisis on well-being, business innovation, and measures of economic security in uncertain times.
CSLS Launches the Invitation Seminar Series on Living Standards
April 3, 2009 -- The CSLS is pleased to announce the launch of a new series of seminars on living standards. The first seminar, "Adapting Cost-Benefit Analysis to 21st Century Regulatory Requirements and Democratic Institutions", will be given by David Lewis on Tuesday, April 14. The second seminar, "Productivity and Potential Output Growth to 2015: An International Comparison", will be given by Bart van Ark on Thursday April 23.
Attendance at this event is by invitation only. Subscribers to the CSLS Publication Subscription Program are invited to attend. For more information on this program please visit www.csls.ca/subscription.asp.
Winter 2009
CSLS Supports National Campaign for Improving Value for Money in Healthcare
February 26, 2009 -- A key objective of the CSLS is to increase our understanding of public sector productivity, with the objective of improving performance in this area. With the release of the report Value for Money: Making Canadian Healthcare Stronger, the Health Council of Canada has launched a national campaign and debate on improving value for money in the health care sector. Given the close linkages between productivity and value for money, the CSLS strongly supports this campaign.
CSLS Welcomes Two Senior Research Associates
February 2, 2009 -- The CSLS is pleased to welcome Mr. Ian Currie and Dr. David Lewis as senior research associates. Both bring outstanding experience and credentials to support the mission of the CSLS.
An Assessment on the Implications of the 2009 Federal Budget for the Living Standards of Canadians
January 28, 2009 -- The economic downturn is causing the living standards of Canadians to fall. Governments should mitigate the suffering of the economically vulnerable and lay the foundations of recovery with measures to improve productivity. At the same time, equity considerations must be taken into account so that the burden of the recession does not fall unduly on the disadvantaged. The objective of this Research Note is to assess the implications of the 2009 budget for the living standards of Canadians in both the short term and the long term.
CSLS Employment Opportunity: Economist
January 23, 2009 -- The CSLS is seeking a recent graduate of masters or doctoral program in economics to join as an economist.
CSLS Summer Internship Program
January 13, 2009 -- The CSLS launched the Summer Internship Program 2009. The program offers the opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain full-time practical work experience at the CSLS.
Fall 2008
On December 18, 2008, the CSLS released two research reports aimed at getting a better understanding of productivity performance in British Columbia: “Productivity Drivers in British Columbia: Strategic Areas for Improvement” and “Investment in British Columbia: Current Realities and the Way Forward”. The first report provides an overview of productivity drivers in BC. The second report provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of investment in BC and puts forward recommendations to increase investment in the province. These reports are now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website as well as on the website of the British Columbia Progress Board
On December 11, 2008, the Fall 2008 issue of the International Productivity Monitor was released.
This issue of the Monitor contains six articles. The article which will be of most interest to Canadian readers examines the causes of the divergence between real wages and productivity growth in Canada. The article, by Andrew Sharpe, Jean-François Arsenault and Peter Harrison, finds that the divergence between median earnings growth and labour productivity growth can be explained by four factors of roughly equal importance: inconsistent measurement, in particular, the failure to account for important increases in supplementary
labour income; an increase in income inequalities; a decline in labour’s terms of trade expressed as the ratio of output prices to consumer
prices; and a decline in labour’s share of national income. A press release for this article is available in English and French.
On November 10, 2008, the CSLS released a research report “The Valuation of Alberta’s Oil Sands”. The report provides new estimates of the present value of oil sands reserves based on a set of alternative assumptions different from those used by Statistic Canada, which increases the estimated present value of the oil sands to $1,482.7 billion (2007 CAD), 4.3 times larger than the official estimate of $342.1 billion. It also finds that the oil sands impose a total social cost related to GHG emissions of $69.4 billion. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
On November 5, 2008, the CSLS released its first research note, titled “The Canada-U.S. ICT Investment Gap in 2007: Narrowing but Progress Still Needed”. The note provides a brief overview of developments in ICT investment in the business sector for both Canada and the United States. It finds that the size of the Canada-U.S. ICT investment per worker gap has significantly narrowed in the computers ICT component, but has changed little in the communication equipment and software components. The note is now available in the CSLS Research Notes section of the website.
The CSLS recently updated the "Information and Communication Technology" database, the "Canada-US Aggregate Income and Productivity" database and the "Vital Signs" database. The data sources used for the "Labour, Capital and TFP in Canada and the Provinces" database were modified. All CSLS databases can be found in the Data section of the website.
On September 12, 2008, the CSLS released a research report “ICT Investment and Productivity: A Provincial Perspective”. The report presents and reviews a new set of data on ICT investment by province. The level of ICT investment per worker in 2007 was highest in Ontario, second highest in Alberta and lowest in New Brunswick. A decomposition analysis reveals that provincial productivity levels were the most important factor for explaining these provincial disparities. Given the importance of ICT investment for productivity growth, further research is needed to identify the underlying reasons behind provincial disparities in ICT investment intensity. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
Summer 2008
On July 16, 2008, the CSLS released a research report “Economic Security in Nova Scotia”. The report uses an aggregate index, based on security from the economic risks imposed by four key factors – unemployment, illness, old age, and single parenthood – to examine trends in economic security in Nova Scotia from 1981 to 2007. It concludes that economic security in Nova Scotia decreased during the 1981-2007 period. The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
On June 30, 2008, the CSLS released a research report “Assessing Canada's Ability to Compete for Foreign Direct Investment.”
The authors of the report find that the post-1980 decline in Canada's share of global foreign direct investment reflects the opening of other countries to foreign investment rather than a hostile investment environment in Canada. Although there is no particular factor that can be identified as seriously impeding the flow of foreign direct investment into Canada, the authors identify a number of areas in which Canada can potentially increase its attractiveness as an investment location.
The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
On June 25, 2008, the CSLS released a research report “Competitive Intensity as Driver of Innovation and Productivity Growth: A Synthesis of the Literature.”
The report concludes that competition has a positive effect on both innovation and productivity; restrictions on competition should be allowed only when it can be demonstrated that overall societal interests are not served by a competitive marketplace.
The report is now available in the CSLS Research Reports section of the website.
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