http://www.carmagroup.ca// CARMA - Central Alberta Rural Manufacturers Association - Latest News en-ca http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/02/16/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-simmers-down/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/02/16/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-simmers-down/ Refineries and factory floors throughout Alberta really ramped up production last year. But by the time December 2011 rolled around, it appears that some of them were ready for a bit of a break. Sales from Alberta manufacturers slipped in December to $6.322 billion—down 3.5% from the... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/02/10/daily-economic-comment-alberta-s-surging-population/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/02/10/daily-economic-comment-alberta-s-surging-population/ The 2011 Census confirmed what most people already knew; Alberta's population is growing at almost twice the national rate.  Ontarians should rest assured of their dominant place in confederacy because even at current growth rates it would take well over 150 years before Alberta is the most... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/19/pipeline-rejection-angers-manufacturing-groups/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/19/pipeline-rejection-angers-manufacturing-groups/ U.S. manufacturing groups ripped President Obama's decision Jan. 18 to reject a construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline as a major setback to the nation's energy security. "The decision to say no to a project that would create 20,000 manufacturing and construction jobs - with an... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/19/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-rides-the-100-oil-highway/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/19/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-rides-the-100-oil-highway/ Across North America, a nascent recovery in manufacturing is raising some hopes fo the general economy returning to health.  Factory floors and refineries in Alberta were doing more than their part to boost shipments towards the end of last year. Alberta manufacturers shipped $6.4... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/09/daily-economic-comment-canadian-businesses-less-optimistic/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/09/daily-economic-comment-canadian-businesses-less-optimistic/ Economists track a lot of numbers - stock market movements, capital flows, and currency exchange rates - to get a sense of what the economy is doing.  But much insight can be gained simply by going out and asking companies what they’re experiencing.  And according to one survey... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/06/daily-economic-comment-alberta-businesses-look-to-the-bright-side/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/06/daily-economic-comment-alberta-businesses-look-to-the-bright-side/ As 2011 drew to a close, the Canadian economy appeared vulnerable to a myriad of global concerns, But according to a survey of members by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, small and medium-sized enterprises are becoming somewhat more optimistic- a trend that is particularly evident in... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/05/carma-session-to-talk-foreign-workers/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/05/carma-session-to-talk-foreign-workers/ By The Associated Press Published: January 04, 2012 7:33 PM   Too few young workers entering the labour market; too many older workers leaving it — the consequence could be a labour crunch that will threaten many companies’ ability to compete. A solution might exist outside... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/04/daily-economic-comment-us-economy-closes-2011-on-a-decent-note/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2012/01/04/daily-economic-comment-us-economy-closes-2011-on-a-decent-note/ Last year was a tough one for the world's largest economy, with unemployment remaining stubbornly high and political gridlock weighing on consumer confidence.  However, according to a bellwether economic indicator, the United States was at least on the upswing by year end. The institute for... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/24/daily-economic-comment-albertan-wages-climb-faster-then-average/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/24/daily-economic-comment-albertan-wages-climb-faster-then-average/ Stock markets might be decidedly lower of late, making many households feel somewhat less wealthy, but Albertans can find some succor in their high and growing relative wages. According to Statistics Canada's monthly payroll employment, earnings and hours survey, the year-over-year average weekly... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/15/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-soars-in-september/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/15/daily-economic-comment-manufacturing-soars-in-september/ While manufacturing if often thought to be the realm of central Canada, an increasingly large value of good are being assembled and processed in Alberta.  And in September, manufacturers in this province saw the value of their shipments soar. Manufacturing shipments surged by 5.9% in September... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/14/daily-economic-comment-leaving-on-a-jet-plane/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/14/daily-economic-comment-leaving-on-a-jet-plane/ Despite a lot of turbulence in the economy over the past three years, air traffic at Alberta's three major airports has been remarkably calm. According to Statistics Canada data, Calgary's International Airport saw 20,854 planes depart in September of 2011.  That was very close to the... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/10/daily-economic-comment-alberta-exports-slip/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/11/10/daily-economic-comment-alberta-exports-slip/ As the US economy struggles with its economy and Europe teeters on recession, sales of merchandise form Canada defied expectations with a gain in September.  Alberta, on the other hand took an export breather. Alberta's international exports slipped to $7.94 billion in September, down from... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/31/daily-economic-comment-canadian-economy-chugs-ahead/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/31/daily-economic-comment-canadian-economy-chugs-ahead/ Back in the summer, the Canadian economy was looking dangerously close to slipping back into a recession.  However, new data released this morning show that we've dodged the recession bullet - at least for now. Statistics Canada reported that the value of all good and services produces in... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/28/albertan-wages-the-envy-of-canada/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/28/albertan-wages-the-envy-of-canada/ There's been a lot of talk recently about income inequality but there are other ways to view inequality than the gap between the rich and the middle class.  According to the most recent average weekly earnings release by Statistics Canada, incomes in Alberta remain well ahead of the Canadian... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/25/september-newsletter/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/25/september-newsletter/ Please see the attached September Newsletter http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/14/carma-event-space/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/14/carma-event-space/ CARMA is please to annouce that we have event space available for rent. If you would like more details or have questions please feel free to contact Amber at amber@carmagroup.ca. http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/14/office-space-for-rent/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/14/office-space-for-rent/ CARMA Currently has two office's for rent! Please see the below details.   Price $500.00 Address #9 4646 Riverside Dr, Red Deer, AB T4N 6Y5, Canada Size (sqft) 139 For Rent By  Owner Furnished   No Office to sublet from CARMA. This space is on the upper level of... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/06/manufacturing-survey/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/10/06/manufacturing-survey/ CARMA is very pleased to announce that its 2011 Total Compensation Survey (the “Survey”) is now complete! The Survey includes (but is not limited to) information on total compensation, mileage rates, vacation practices, general increase practices, statutory holidays and allowances. The... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/09/28/daily-economic-comment-canadians-still-looking-towards-alberta/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/09/28/daily-economic-comment-canadians-still-looking-towards-alberta/ With talk of labour shortages returning in Alberta, population growth and migration are important variables for the provincial economy.  And according to second quarter 2011 figures, Alberta continues to gain citizens from other Canadian provinces. A total of 4,720 Canadians relocated to... http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/09/21/daily-eonomic-comment-long-term-unemployment-picture-improves/ http://www.carmagroup.ca/news/2011/09/21/daily-eonomic-comment-long-term-unemployment-picture-improves/ Alberta's labour market has made huge job gains so far in 2011, adding just over 55,000 jobs since January.  But even more encouraging is that long-term unemployment, which remained stubbornly high after the recession, has started to come down. The average duration of unemployment in the...