Standard Life Financial Inc. has reported a 2% increase in premiums and deposits to $1.2 billion in the third quarter of 2011. The Montreal-based company says the results were due to strong sales and market share growth in retail segregated funds and its group insurance and disability management business. “Standard Life is in a favourable […]
Canadian companies have grown more pessimistic about their sales prospects for the coming year and plan to cut investment and hiring, says a Bank of Canada survey. The central bank’s quarterly business outlook survey, released Oct. 17, found businesses generally gloomier on most measures, but analysts noted that the sentiment is still well above what […]
A new study by the Bank of Montreal suggests just over half of Canadian businesses believe 2012 will be a better year for them despite global economic uncertainty. The study finds 51% of Canadian businesses expect a better year compared to 13% who believe it will be worse. The bank also found that more than […]
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says the province has no plans to review public sector pension plans. Dexter says his government will look at what a New Brunswick government review concludes, but he says the biggest plan in Nova Scotia is in a “balanced position.” That plan is the Public Service Superannuation Plan, which includes […]
Two seemingly contradictory reports evaluating national debt levels tell the same stark truths about the rising severity of the financial straits facing many Canadians, analysts said Wednesday. A poll released by the Royal Bank of Canada exposes the complacent attitudes that many Canadians have adopted as a result of months of rock-bottom borrowing rates, they […]
Canadian employers expect the hiring climate to remain steady for the fourth quarter of 2011, according to Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey. The most active hiring is expected to take place in the mining sector. The survey of more than 1,900 employees says 13% of employers surveyed expect to hire in the quarter—a slight drop from […]
The group that operates the Toronto Stock Exchange has killed a $3.7-billion proposed merger with the London Stock Exchange Group, saying the controversial deal could not garner enough shareholder support to go ahead. TMX Group said Wednesday that a majority of proxy votes sent in ahead of its Thursday annual meeting supported the merger but […]
The New Brunswick government has asked the City of Saint John to rework reform proposals for its ailing pension plan. City manager Patrick Woods says staff will meet as soon as possible to begin that process. Woods has informed employees in writing to say the final reform package would be presented to the legislature in […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has already come up with a health insurance plan for its fighters and now it’s looking at a pension plan. “We’re trying to prevent a situation where guys retire with nothing,” Dana White, UFC president, told reporters. “In this sport, we have guys who are going to make millions of […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) will provide at least US$266 million to help fund expansion at AWAS, a Dublin-based aircraft leasing firm. CPPIB already owns 16% of AWAS and the investment will increase its stake to 25%. The CPPIB says the aircraft leasing firm’s plan to grow comes at an opportune time. “CPPIB’s […]