Canada’s productivity has been declining. Why that’s a problem for the economy

Canadians feeling like they weren’t as productive as they could’ve been in 2023 can take solace. Neither was Canada’s economy.

Labour productivity — a broad measure of real gross domestic product by hours worked across the economy — has declined nationally in six consecutive quarters, Statistics Canada said last month.

Economists who spoke with Global News say this metric is critical for improving Canadian quality of life, and recent declines will be particularly worrying to the Bank of Canada as it gauges where to set its benchmark interest rate next.

“What it really boils down to is a sense that if we are able to generate more income with each hour worked, then we’re better off for it,” says Pedro Antunes, chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada.

What’s dragging down Canada’s productivity?

Russia’s war in Ukraine is stymying supply chains and among the factors that have contributed to stalled global productivity. A boom in working from home post-pandemic hasn’t delivered the productivity gains that some economists predicted.

Why productivity is falling in Canada specifically, however, is not straightforward.

Steve’s note

Hard to feel productive when your wages aren’t keeping up to the cost of living. It’s demoralizing — nobody wants to spend money. So, less products and services are required.

|Read more https://globalnews.ca/news/10206774/wages-productivity-canada-economy/| globalnews.ca/news/10206774/wa…

#cdnpoli #productivity #politics #economy #wages #growth

Lewis’ UN conspiracy theories no aberration for Conservative Party

Far-right Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis amplified a petition on social media that is calling for Canada to withdraw from the UN.

“Over 60,000 Canadians have now signed a petition calling on Canada to protect our national sovereignty by withdrawing from the UN and its subsidiary organizations,” Lewis stated in a tweet on X.

Sweeping, unsupported statements included in this petition on Lewis’ official government page include things like “Canada’s membership in the United Nations (UN) and its subsidiary organizations, (e.g. World Health Organization (WHO)), imposes negative consequences on the people of Canada, far outweighing any benefits,” and that “the UN/WHO comprehensive ‘Agenda 2030’ undermines national sovereignty and personal autonomy.”

The petition makes further conspiratorial claims that UN programs are damaging children through the “normalization of sexual values and activities,” and claims these programs are being imposed on Canada in secret without the knowledge of Canadians or elected officials.

None of the claims made in the petition are accompanied by any explanation or evidence.

NDP MP Charlie Angus slammed Lewis and her leader Pierre Poilievre for the growing extremism in their party.

In September of 2023 Lewis was quoted as saying that the WHO could impose travel restrictions on Canadians within Canada and that the pandemic was a step toward “global government.”

She has also amplified the conspiracy theory that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is planning to subjugate humanity through a world government and has implied that the Liberal Party is controlled by the WEF. |Read more https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/lewis-un-conspiracy-theories-no-aberration-for-conservative-party/| rabble.ca/politics/canadian-po…

#X #cdnpoli #extremism #UN #WHO #Poilievre #LeslynLewis #Conservatives
#politics #conspiracy