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West at a Glance - January 2017 Issue

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Inside this issue


Provincial Government Developments - December

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

News and Opinion Highlights - December

Key Economic Indicators - December

  British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Canada Last Update
Gross Domestic Product
Real GDPFootnote 1  (2007 $billions, forecast) $214 $292 $58 $55 $1,673 2016 (f)
% ch. from year earlier 3.0% -2.0% 0.2% 2.1% 1.5%  
 
Labour Market
Employment (SA, thousands) 2,408 2,267 568 633 18,225 Dec-16
Change from previous month 17 6.9 -1.1 1.2 53.7  
% ch. from previous month 0.7% 0.3% -0.2% 0.2% 0.3%  
% ch. from year earlier 3.1% -0.8% -1.2% -0.2% 1.2%  
 
Unemployment Rate (SA,%) 5.8% 8.5% 6.5% 6.3% 6.9% Dec-16
percentage points from previous month -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.1  
percentage points from year earlier -0.9 1.5 1 0.4 -0.2  
 
Regular EI beneficiaries (SA) 56,100 93,180 21,150 15,440 575,240 Oct-16
Change from previous month 1160 2,700 1190 30 2,730  
% ch. from previous month 2.1% 3.0% 6.0% 0.2% 0.5%  
% ch. from previous year 2.0% 55.3% 47.4% 4.3% 6.0%  
 
Average weekly earnings $917.99 $1,106.29 $994.94 $888.50 $953.88 Oct-16
Change from previous year $4.90 -$29.07 $4.34 $0.81 $0.16  
 
Prices
CPI (y/y) 1.6% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 1.2% Nov-16
CPI (y/y) previous month 2.1% 0.5% 0.8% 1.1% 1.5% Oct-16
 
Consumers and Business
Retail Sales (SA, $millions) $6,448 $6,181 $1,535 $1,589 $45,047 Oct-16
% ch. from previous month 1.8% 0.8% -0.1% 0.0% 1.1%  
% ch. from previous year 8.4% -0.7% 0.1% 2.3% 3.8%  
 
Manufacturing Sales (SA, $millions) $3,909 $5,172 $1,205 $1,468 $50,995 Oct-16
% ch. from previous month -0.5% -2.0% -1.1% 2.1% -0.8%  
% ch. from previous year 8.6% -4.4% 5.9% 4.5% 1.1%  
 
Building Permits (SA, $millions) $1,284 $1,149 $157 $188 $7,765 Nov-16
% ch. from previous month 14.7% -36.9% -8.2% -5.9% -0.1%  
% ch. from previous year 9.5% 3.0% -15.8% 16.1% 18.3%  
 
Housing Starts (SAAR, thousands) 42 27 5 4 207 Dec-16
% ch. from previous month -9.4% 6.4% 30.6% -36.7% 10.6%  
% ch. from previous year 18.8% 3.5% 5.0% -12.9% 19.9%  
 
International Trade
Merchandise Exports ($millions) $3,711 $7,648 $2,678 $1,193 $42,406 Nov-16
% ch. from previous month 6.5% 9.4% 5.2% 10.8% 4.8%  
% ch. from previous year 25.9% 13.1% 1.4% 4.2% 8.4%  
 
Merchandise Imports ($millions) $3,957 $1,950 $644 $1,618 $44,599 Nov-16
% ch. from previous month -4.7% -8.1% -11.1% -4.5% -0.9%  
% ch. from previous year 4.3% -28.6% -12.2% 2.1% 0.5%  
 
Demographics
Population (estimate) 4,773,345 4,268,929 1,155,393 1,323,958 36,443,632 Q4 2016
% ch. from previous year 1.3% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.3%  
Largest Cities (CMAs) Vancouver (2,504,340) Calgary (1,439,756) Saskatoon (304,975) Winnipeg* (793,428)   2015
  Victoria* (365,291) Edmonton* (1,363,277) Regina* (241,422)      

Upcoming Events

Event Description Location Date
British Columbia
The Future of Vancouver International Airport The Vancouver Board of Trade will host Craig Richmond, President and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority for a keynote address. Vancouver, BC January 18, 2017
Vancouver Resource & Investment Conference 2017 Cambridge House International Inc. and Katusa Research will co-present the world's largest investment conference dedicated to resource exploration. Vancouver, BC January 22-23, 2017
AME Roundup 2017 The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) will hold its annual Conference covering all aspects of mineral exploration. Vancouver, BC January 23-26, 2017
The Global Imbalance of Power The Vancouver Board of Trade will host Jessica McDonald, President and CEO of BC Hydro, to discuss the global future of electricity and how BC fits into the picture. Vancouver, BC January 24, 2017
Western Business Outlook: Vancouver The Conference Board of Canada will partner with the Vancouver Board of Trade to deliver its annual business outlook. Vancouver, BC January 27, 2017
Canadian Finance Forum 2017 The event will provide industry insights and a look at up-andcoming high-tech companies. Vancouver, BC February 8-9, 2017
UBC President's inaugural address The Vancouver Board of Trade will host the new President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC), Prof. Santa Ono, for his inaugural address. Vancouver, BC March 28, 2017
Alberta
2017 Impact Luncheon A lunch hosted by Edmonton Economic Development to celebrate the city's successes over the last year and discuss how a global mindset translates into a resilient economy. Edmonton, AB January 10, 2017
Energy Efficiency in Alberta Conference The Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance hosts this event, timed to coincide with the creation of Alberta's new energy efficiency agency. Edmonton, AB January 17, 2017
Industry Roadmap: The Future of Canada's Oil and Gas Industry 2017 A conference hosted by Milestone GRP, an international communications company, focused on key issues affecting the future of Canada's oil and gas industry. Calgary, AB January 17, 2017
Western Canada AntiCorruption Conference Transparency International Canada's conference focused on anti-corruption compliance in a low oil price environment and the role of financial institutions in the fight against corruption. Calgary, AB January 18, 2017 : link 2
Tech Entrepreneur Space Launch Event An event to celebrate the opening of a new downtown workspace for Edmonton's technology entrepreneurs. Edmonton, AB January 19, 2017
ConvergX – A Global Defence and Energy Conference A global aerospace, defence, security and energy conference that aims to create investment and growth opportunities between sectors. Calgary, AB February 7-9, 2017
Big Data, lnternet of Things & Machine Learning in Oil & Gas Canada Conference This conference will bring together more than 140 Canadian energy technology leaders to discuss the challenges of remaining profitable in the low oil price environment. Calgary, AB February 14-15, 2017
Western Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement This event brings together participants from industry, Aboriginal communities and government for practical guidance to develop long-term partnerships. Edmonton, AB February 28-March 1, 2017
Propel Energy Tech Forum An annual forum for energy technology companies that focuses on technology developments in energy efficiency, oil and gas extraction, pipeline operations, and environmental monitoring. Calgary, AB March 1-2, 2017
CERI 2017 Oil and Gas Symposium: Where do we go from here? Symposium hosted by the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) to discuss the current oil and gas extraction environment such as pipeline approvals, LNG plants, market prices, and First Nations engagement. Calgary, AB March 6-7, 2017
Western Business Outlook: Edmonton The Conference Board of Canada's outlook for Edmonton in 2017. Edmonton, AB March 8, 2017
Western Business Outlook: Calgary The Conference Board of Canada's outlook for Calgary in 2017. Calgary, AB March 10, 2017
EDA 2017 Annual Professional Conference & AGM Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) will host its annual conference with the theme of "Embracing Change. Creating Opportunity." Banff, AB March 22-24, 2017
Saskatchewan
Western Canadian Crop Production Show The Western Canadian Crop Production Show has become Western Canada's premier grain industry showcase by presenting information to producers on the latest technology, services, and products. Saskatoon, SK January 9-12, 2017
CropShere 2017 Held in conjunction with the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, CropSphere 2017 will host sessions on market outlook, research, and agronomy. Saskatoon, SK January 10-11, 2017
Mayor of Saskatoon Luncheon Mayor of Saskatoon, Charlie Clark, will be addressing the North Saskatoon Business Association (NSBA) membership as part of the NSBA's Luncheon Series. Saskatoon, SK January 11, 2017
State of the University Address Event organized by the Regina Chamber of Commerce as part of its 2017 Luncheon Series. The President of the University of Regina, Dr. Vianne Timmons, will deliver the address. Regina, SK January 26, 2017
Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention 2017 The SUMA annual convention tradeshow has become the largest annual trade show of its kind in North America. This year's event is titled "Shaping Saskatchewan." Saskatoon, SK February 5-8, 2017
2017 SABEX Awards The Gala event honours Saskatoon region's finest businesses with awards in sustainability, community involvement, growth and expansion, and marketing. Saskatoon, SK February 9, 2017
Saskatoon Region Economic Outlook Forum 2017 hosted by the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) SREDA's annual Saskatoon Region Economic Outlook Forum provides a detailed and insightful look at the year ahead. It discusses the projected outlook for the local economy, the new economic growth drivers and SREDA's 2017 priorities to strengthen and grow the economy. Saskatoon, SK February 28, 2017
SUSTAINTECH 2017 The third annual SustainTech conference is an innovative event featuring technologies and practices that promote and bring together industry, academia, and regulators to share new ideas and technologies. Saskatoon, SK March 16, 2017
Manitoba
Manitoba AgDays An annual exhibition of agricultural production expertise, technology and equipment for farmers and businesses from across Canada and the North-Central US. Brandon, MB January 17-19, 2017
Driving Innovation A Manitoba conference focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses to keep abreast of new technologies, reach new markets and enhance productivity. Winnipeg, MB January 25-26, 2017
Crop Connect This crop production and farm management conference includes a tradeshow and guest speakers on topics ranging from agronomy to finance. Winnipeg, MB February 15-16, 2017
Rotary Career Symposium Manitoba's largest career symposium with over 185 exhibit booths with post-secondary and employment options for students and job seekers. Winnipeg, MB March 14-16, 2017

Western Economic Diversification Canada

The role of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of Western Canada by supporting programs and services that enhance innovation, business development, and community economic development. In addition, the department undertakes policy, advocacy and coordination activities in order to advance the interests of Western Canada in national economic decision-making.

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