INVESTMENT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (IIAC) TOP UNDER 40 AWARDS 2020
- Congratulations to Jim Watt who has been recognized as one of the IIAC Top Under 40.
- This recognizes the new generation of highly motivated and talented young professionals, whose drive, dedication, personal and professional qualities and accomplishments have brought distinction to our industry.
- The Award criteria are:
- Commitment to the Canadian Investment Industry
- Career Accomplishments
- Commitment to Education
- Community Service and Involvement
NORTH AMERICAN EMPLOYMENT DATA
- CANADA added 84,000 jobs in October (69,000 full-time and 33,000 self-employed jobs added)
- unemployment rate held steady at 8.9%; for visibility minorities, unemployment rate is 11.7%
- working form home increased by 150,000
- BC added 34,000 jobs; Ontario added 31,000
- ALBERTA added 23,000 jobs; unemployment rate 10.7% vs 11.7% in M/M
- Edmonton added 1,100 jobs; unemployment rate 8.1% vs 9.2% M/M
- Calgary added 17,000 jobs; unemployment rate 11.3% vs 12.6% M/M
- UNITED STATES added 638,000 jobs vs 530,000 expected and slightly below the 672,000 in September.
- Unemployment rate fell to 6.9% vs 7.9% M/M (10.8% for Blacks, 7.6% for Asians, 8.8% for Hispanics)
- Average hourly earnings increased $0.04 to $29.50
US ELECTIONS – WHERE ARE WE NOW?
- The count goes on in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina.
- 100 million votes were cast in advance, double that of 2016
- President Trump is launching law-suits in various states. If he loses at the state level, he could appeal to the US Supreme Court.
- Senate is still unsettled with 5 seats left to be determined:
- Georgia has 2 senate seats up for election, both of which are going to a run-off in January
- Arizona seat went to Democrat Mark Kelly this morning
- Senate currently sits at 48 Democrats and 47 Republicans
- If the Senate is tied between parties, the vice-president casts deciding votes on legislation
- Democrats will have a smaller majority in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi’s future as leader may be at risk.
- The 2020 Presidential campaign was fueled by a record $4 billion vs $1.5 billion 2016 and $2.4 billion 2012.
TIDBITS
- Whole Foods Market says employees are not allowed to wear poppies under their new uniform code.
- Canada is making it easier for more than 1 million temporary students, workers and asylum seekers to gain citizenship in order to make up for a decline in immigration during the pandemic.
- GM is investing $1 billion to reopen its Ontario assembly plant in Oshawa, bringing back 1,400 to 1,700 jobs.
- Volvo expects to sell its first ‘heavy-duty electric trucks’ in Europe starting in 2021.