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West at a Glance - July 2017 Issue

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Inside this issue


Provincial Government Developments

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

News and Opinion Highlights

Key Economic Indicators

  British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Canada Last Update
Gross Domestic Product
Real GDPFootnote 1  (2007 $billions, forecast) $224 $298 $60 $57 $1,716 2017
% ch. from year earlier 2.5% 3.3% 2.5% 2.1% 2.3%  
 
Labour Market
Employment (SA, thousands) 2,486 2,299 568 644 18,411 Jun-17
Change from previous month 19.7 7.5 -1.9 1.6 45.3  
% ch. from previous month 0.8% 0.3% -0.3% 0.2% 0.2%  
% ch. from year earlier 4.4% 2.2% -0.3% 1.3% 1.9%  
 
Unemployment Rate (SA,%) 5.1% 7.4% 6.5% 5.3% 6.5% Jun-17
percentage points from previous month -0.5 -0.4 0.2 0 -0.1  
percentage points from year earlier -0.8 -0.5 0.3 -0.9 -0.3  
 
Regular EI beneficiaries (SA) 53,180 79,210 18,850 15,240 541,150 Apr-17
Change from previous month 370 -3,170 300 -210 -6,970  
% ch. from previous month 0.7% -3.8% 1.6% -1.4% -1.3%  
% ch. from previous year 1.1% 7.9% 16.3% -2.2% -0.6%  
 
Average weekly earnings $934.23 $1,125.69 $1,004.61 $919.70 $971.13 Apr-17
Change from previous year $13.28 $6.29 $20.35 $31.96 $18.73  
 
Prices
CPI (y/y) 1.9% 1.2% 0.9% 1.0% 1.3% May-17
CPI (y/y) previous month 2.1% 1.7% 1.4% 1.6% 1.6% Apr-17
 
Consumers and Business
Retail Sales (SA, $millions) $6,836 $6,670 $1,649 $1,674 $48,639 Apr-17
% ch. from previous month 0.3% 0.5% -4.1% 1.9% 0.8%  
% ch. from previous year 7.1% 6.0% 3.7% 5.7% 7.0%  
 
Manufacturing Sales (SA, $millions) $4,021 $6,005 $1,258 $1,460 $54,431 Apr-17
% ch. from previous month 1.2% 3.0% -6.0% -0.2% 1.1%  
% ch. from previous year 8.8% 15.8% 10.7% -1.2% 7.6%  
 
Building Permits (SA, $millions) $1,272 $1,184 $160 $213 $7,740 May-17
% ch. from previous month 4.2% 18.2% -7.9% 0.5% 8.9%  
% ch. from previous year -0.9% 16.1% -4.1% 6.5% 10.8%  
 
Housing Starts (SAAR, thousands) 40 31 5 7 213 Jun-17
% ch. from previous month -18.0% -5.3% -0.5% -36.9% 9.1%  
% ch. from previous year -19.7% 26.7% 8.1% 33.7% -3.0%  
 
International Trade
Merchandise Exports ($millions) $3,835 $8,935 $2,626 $1,301 $45,709 May-17
% ch. from previous month -0.6% 6.3% 11.0% 13.5% 10.1%  
% ch. from previous year 25.3% 59.1% 38.3% 10.4% 23.5%  
 
Merchandise Imports ($millions) $4,184 $2,365 $1,124 $1,833 $46,421 May-17
% ch. from previous month -2.2% -1.0% 12.9% -12.5% -6.7%  
% ch. from previous year 9.2% 19.8% 26.5% 5.9% 5.4%  
 
Demographics
Population (estimate) 4,789,221 4,291,980 1,161,365 1,332,629 36,591,241 Q2 2017
% ch. from previous year 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.6% 1.2%  
Largest Cities (CMAs) Vancouver (2,548,740) Calgary (1,469,341) Saskatoon  (315,150) Winnipeg*  (811,874)   2016
  Victoria*  (370,899) Edmonton*  (1,392,594) Regina* (247,224)      

Upcoming Events

Event Description Location Date
British Columbia
The Effects of Renegotiating NAFTA The Surrey Board of Trade will host a dialogue exploring the impacts of renegotiating NAFTA. Surrey, BC July 12, 2017 : BC
2nd International Conference on Food Chemistry and Nutrition The conference will focus on the theme "Where food meets science: Exploring recent advances in food research and business." Richmond, BC July 24-26, 2017 : BC
Business Excellence Series: FinTech Business in Vancouver will host this event focused on helping SMEs make informed decisions in the new landscape of FinTech. Vancouver, BC September 12, 2017 : BC
Inclusive Business Forum: Leveraging Opportunities to Innovate Human Capital The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host its inaugural Inclusive Business Forum, which will help local companies identify easily adopted strategies that they can begin implementing immediately. Vancouver, BC September 21, 2017 : BC
Alberta
WestDef 2017: Industry Intelligence Hosted by the Western Canadian Defence Industries Association, this event will be a Voice of the West style forum and will be used to prepare a formal submission to the federal ministers of National Defence, Public Services and Procurement, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Calgary, AB July 4-6, 2017 : AB
Stampede Investment Forum (SIF) 2017 Hosted by Calgary Economic Development, the SIF provides participants with a forum to learn about investment opportunities in Alberta and gain insight into Alberta's energy and environment sectors. Calgary, AB July 9-12, 2017
Innovation Rodeo The Innovation Rodeo, hosted by Bow Valley College, connects some of Alberta's innovators and entrepreneurs, helping them develop new skills, exchange ideas, build new relationships, and collaborate to create and commercialize new ideas. Calgary, AB July 10-14, 2017 : AB
National Gathering of Elders 2017 Intermingling of like-minded, like-aged individuals and their families to reveal common grounds that strengthen those links. Edmonton, AB September 11-14, 2017 : AB
Opportunities North Edmonton North Partnership's conference will be focused on creating and expanding economic opportunities and partnerships between businesses and organizations in our Northern and Southern regions. Topics will cover business, agriculture, education, tourism, transportation, and healthcare. Edmonton, AB September 12-14, 2017 : AB
EconoUS2017 - Innovation For Shared Prosperity CCEDNet's event that provides an opportunity to connect with social innovation leaders from across Canada who share a passion for building strong, inclusive community economies. Calgary, AB September 13-15, 2017 : AB
Health And Life Sciences Showcase An event featuring educational seminars, pitch presentations, roundtables, vendors, and BioAlberta's annual awards gala. Edmonton, AB September 20, 2017
Banff Venture Forum A showcase of the hi-tech companies from across North America offering insight into key issues within the industry, providing a premium networking opportunity, and giving companies a chance to learn from world-class professionals in the investment community. Banff, AB September 21-22, 2017 : AB
Aboriginal Business Match ABM allows business connections to be made by eliminating geographic barriers, condensing time requirements, and reducing costs. Enoch, AB September 25-27, 2017 : AB
2017 Alberta Climate Summit: Seizing Innovation And Opportunity In A Low-Carbon Economy The event, hosted by the Pembina Institute, will bring together 500+ thought leaders from industry, government, environmental NGOs, and community stakeholders to learn from success stories, identify opportunities and challenges, and explore solutions related to Alberta's clean energy future. Calgary, AB September 28, 2017 : AB
Rural Alberta Innovation And Learning Commons A learning commons focused on rural economic and community development attended by councillors, mayors, CAOs, EDOs, community development professionals, and students from across the province. Olds, AB September 29 - October 1, 2017 : AB
Saskatchewan
"Ag in Motion" Ag in Motion is an outdoor, agricultural trade show in Western Canada with interactive exhibits and live field and crop plot demonstrations. Now in its third year, the Expo was created to empower farmers by providing the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Saskatoon, SK July 18-20, 2017 : SK
Carbon yXe The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Saskatoon are attempting to 'Change the Conversation Around Carbon.' A committee of Saskatoon business leaders has invited the international Carbon X Prize finalists to Saskatoon to attend a summit on July 19 & 20, 2017 where the prize, worth $20 million, will be awarded. Saskatoon, SK July 19-20, 2017 : SK
Cyclotron Research Day Hosted by the Fedoruk Centre for Nuclear Innovation, the event will highlight recent developments at the Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences, including the newly opened research wing and the use of Canada's first PhytoPET imaging system. Saskatoon, SK July 28, 2017
NSBA 3rd Annual
Popcorn & Entrepreneurship Series
The North Saskatchewan Business Association will host their third annual event presented by EY Canada. The event titled "Changing the Pulse of the Province" will celebrate founder and CEO of AGT Foods & Ingredients Inc., Murad Al Katib, who won this year's EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award. Saskatoon, SK August 30, 2017 : SK
EDCE Entrepreneurial Development Conference and Expo The event offers insights and opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It includes over 20 sessions, workshops, and presentations from top industry experts, an interactive small business expo, and 3 one-on-one networking events. Saskatoon, SK September 15-16, 2017 : SK
Manitoba
2017 Canada Summer Games Over 4,000 young athletes from across Canada will come to Winnipeg to compete in 16 different sports. In addition, The Forks will host the Games' festival where athletes, fans, and families can celebrate with live music, dancing, and cultural activities. Winnipeg, MB July 29 – August 13, 2017 : MB
International Downtown Association (IDA) 63rd Annual Conference and Tradeshow Winnipeg will host the 63rd annual conference themed "AuthentiCITY."  The tradeshow will provide an opportunity to showcase best practices, explore new ideas, network, and share solutions while gaining the tactics and knowledge necessary to transform cities into healthy and vibrant urban places. Winnipeg, MB September 13-15, 2017 : MB
ProjectWorld Business Analyst World Winnipeg A leading Educational and Training Conference for project managers and business analysts. The event includes workshops on Lean Six Sigma, Agile Business Environments, Leadership and Essential Tools. Winnipeg, MB September 18-21, 2017 : MB
Agricultural Bioscience International Conference A premier global meeting promoting innovation in bioscience to ensure sustainable food, feed, fibre, and fuel security as the climate changes. Winnipeg, MB September 25-28, 2017 : MB

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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