Did you Know?

Source:
Globe and Mail National

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The Vancouver Island Rail Corridor Foundation has struck a deal with Rail America that now gives the not-for-profit group 100 per cent control of the corridor, setting the stage to reinvigorate rail service on the island.

Source:
BC Government

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VICTORIA – Beginning March 1, 2006, income assistance clients receiving Persons with Disabilities or Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers support will be able to earn up to

Source:
The Daily - Stats Canada

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Canada's population is ageing fast and senior citizens would outnumber children in about a decade, according to new population projections. In all growth scenarios considered for this study, seniors aged 65 and over would become more numerous than children aged less than 15 around the year 2015. This would be an unprecedented situation in Canada. By 2031, the number of people aged 65 and over would range between 8.9 million and 9.4 million, depending on the scenario selected, while the number of children would range between 4.8 million and 6.6 million. In 2005, Canada's population is younger than the populations of most of the G8 countries. However, it is expected to age more rapidly in the coming years as a direct result of the pronounced baby boom following the Second World War and the rapid decline in fertility that followed. The aging of the baby boomers will combine with continuing low fertility levels and increasing longevity to age the population rapidly. The arrival of baby boomers at age 65 also has implications for the work force during the coming decades.

Source:
The Daily

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Retail sales advanced at the fastest rate of growth in four months in November, and nearly double the pace of the previous month. New motor vehicle sales were again a strong contributor to these gains. Retail sales increased 1.1% in November from the previous month to a record high $31.3 billion. Excluding sales by dealers of new, used and recreational vehicles and auto parts, retail sales edged up 0.1% from October. Lower prices for gasoline offset gains made in the automotive sector. In general, non-auto retailers saw their sales decline only twice in the first 11 months of 2005. Retail trade November 2005 Previous release

Source:
The Daily - Stats Canada

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More Canadians continue to use the Internet for everyday tasks including personal correspondence, making holiday travel arrangements, conducting research, e-shopping, and scheduling appointments. In 2004, about 6 out of every 10 Canadian households were connected to the Internet, up from just 4 of every 10 in 2000. This growth has benefited firms in the Canadian Internet service providers industry, which reported revenues increasing by 9% to $1.7 billion in 2004.

Source:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

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Did you know that exporting accounts for one in three new jobs, and that each $1 million worth of exports sustains 8 to 11 full-time positions in our region? Today, trade accounts for more than 30 per cent of Atlantic GDP. In fact, exports from our region have more than doubled in value since 1992 -from $6.7 billion a year to $13.5 billion. This year alone, Atlantic exports are expected to grow by as much as 10 per cent.

Source:
Statistics Canada

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Even with Canada's dollar hovering around the US 84 cent mark, Canadian consumers have not shown a greater inclination to shop across the border, according to a new study. Since 2002, the loonie has risen in value, but for the first time in 20 years the number of Canadians traveling south of the border has not responded.

Source:
Industry Canada

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There were 2.4 million small businesses in Canada in December 2004, an increase of 3 percent over the previous year. In the first quarter of 2005, there were 2.46 million self-employed workers, an increase of 2.9 percent from the same period in 2004.

Source:
Industry Canada's Small Business Statistics Report (July 2005)

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In 2004, 15% of the employed workforce, or approximately 2.5 million people, were self-employed?