Star Business Journal

By Dean Bennett The Canadian Press Sat., Feb. 16, 2019 EDMONTON - Alberta Opposition leader Jason Kenney says if his United Conservative party wins power, it will retool the education system to make it practical and adaptable for the modern, digital age. And he says anything deemed NDP ideology or worldview that is stitched into the government’s current curriculum review will be on the scrap heap. “We will reform our education system to offer more practical, experiential and apprenticeship learning for everything from computer coding to the trades, so that we have a workforce that is ready for the future,” Kenney, with his candidates behind him, told around 500 people in a speech Saturday night. “We will end the disaster of discovery math and restore tested teaching methods so that young Albertans are equipped for a digital economy.” He reiterated earlier promises to expand school choice for parents, and stressed that the current K-12 … [Read more...] about Jason Kenney pledges education revamp if UCP wins power in Alberta

By Dan Healing The Canadian Press Sun., Feb. 17, 2019 CALGARY - For Canadians who’ve made faithful contributions to an RRSP for most of their working lives, converting it to an RRIF may seem a terrifying milestone. Overnight, your nest egg that has steadily grown for decades becomes a declining asset, with a government-mandated, taxable annual minimum withdrawal to ensure its gradual depletion. Retired investors might decide they need to make big changes to the investment mix in their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) to brace for the feared impact of its conversion to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF). At that time, it’s best to take a deep breath, talk to a trusted financial adviser, and realize that no change at all is often better than too much, says James McCreath, portfolio manager for BMO Nesbitt Burns in Calgary. “One of the biggest mistakes people can make is getting too concerned with recalibrating things just because … [Read more...] about RRSP-to-RRIF conversion deadline needn’t be so scary, experts advise

By Simon Kennedy Bloomberg Sun., Feb. 17, 2019 Central bankers get a chance to flesh out their increasingly dovish outlooks for monetary policy this year as economic data continue to disappoint. The U.S. Federal Reserve will on Wednesday publish minutes from its recent meeting, which will likely show how much conviction there was among policy makers to suspend their interest rate hiking campaign. Fed officials John Williams, Richard Clarida and Randal Quarles are among those speaking on Friday. “Policy makers over-corrected in a dovish direction in January,” said Carl Riccadonna, chief U.S. economist at Bloomberg Economics. “However, the dovish tone of the meeting statement may not necessarily reflect a universal consensus among meeting participants. Public comments since the meeting, suggest the hawkish contingent may be regrouping.” Over in Europe, President Mario Draghi and Chief Economist Peter Praet are among several European Central … [Read more...] about Central bankers take to stage as dovish outlooks spread

By Dirk Meissner The Canadian Press Sun., Feb. 17, 2019 VICTORIA - British Columbia’s finance minister says the budget she tables Tuesday undertakes development of social, environmental and economic initiatives as other provinces across Canada implement cuts to programs and shifts to the right. Carole James says her budget builds on the minority New Democrat government’s goals of making life more affordable, improving services and ensuring a sustainable economy. “I see them as hand in hand,” said James in an interview. “The investments we make in people and the investments we make in environment are investments in a sustainable, strong economy.” Prof. David Black said he expects the social and economic agenda laid out in James’s budget to contrast sharply with the right-leaning policies in some other provinces. Manitoba and Ontario have Conservative governments. The Coalition Avenir Quebec government, is essentially … [Read more...] about James says B.C. budget puts priorities on NDP’s poverty, environment plans

By Stephanie Taylor The Canadian Press Sat., Feb. 16, 2019 MOOSOMIN, Sask. - The premiers of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick joined Conservative leader Andrew Scheer on a panel at a rally in rural Saskatchewan on Saturday that was held to draw attention to legislation that would overhaul how major energy projects are assessed. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called Bill C-69 “the no more pipelines bill.” “We have a very thorough process that does work. What we need is a federal government that supports our resource industries across this nation,” Moe told a crowd of hundreds in southeastern Saskatchewan. “Unfortunately what we have is a federal government that is pressing forward with Bill C-69.” Scheer vowed that if elected in October, he would repeal C-69 if it passed, but his government’s first job would be to scrap the carbon tax. Article Continued Below He said he will spend from now until the federal election … [Read more...] about Conservative leaders to attend against Bill C-69 in Saskatchewan