Recent Articles
Majority of students anxious or stressed about finances: 69% anticipate they will graduate with debt
With the cost of an undergraduate degree currently estimated at $80,000, it is essential for parents to start saving early for their children’s future post-secondary education. The recent TD Canada Trust Education and Finances Survey showed that many of today’s students are having a tough time managing financially – and it is taking its toll. [...]
ICBC to cut basic insurance rates
ICBC will reduce its basic insurance rates by 2.4% beginning November 1, 2010, following a decision from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), which is responsible for regulating basic insurance rates in the province. “Any reduction in our insurance rates is good news for our customers and we thank them for their smart driving decisions [...]
Signs of optimism in global financial hiring, survey shows
Financial executives are more optimistic today than they were this time last year, according to the annual Robert Half Global Financial Employment Monitor. The vast majority (83 percent) of financial leaders surveyed worldwide are at least somewhat confident in their companies’ growth prospects, including 30 percent who are very confident. Respondents also reported challenges locating [...]
Climate change could increase the risk of hurricanes in the Caribbean
Climate change could significantly increase the risk of hurricanes and storms in the Caribbean and threaten future development in the region, concludes a new study released by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). Damage from wind, storm surge and inland flooding already amounts to 6% of GDP per year in some countries, according to [...]
One-quarter of workers have sought medical treatment for aches and pains caused by their work environment
Full-time employees of large companies in the United States or more spend on average two-thirds of their working hours in a sitting position, according to a new study conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Ergotron. On average, full-time employees of companies with 1,000 or more employees report spending an average of 21 hours [...]
Independent adjusting – questions answered
Yesterday David asked two questions about independent adjusting. I contacted Mary Charman, the President of the Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association (CIAA) to get some answers to David’s questions. Question: What role does technology and web based file transfers have in the future of the independent adjuster (i.e. will it encourage large carriers to outsource their [...]
School is in session – with some new additions
My eldest nephew started school again this week. His Facebook status (how else can you communicate with a 15 year old these days?) indicates all is going well though school starts too early in the morning. His classes – and the entire provincial curriculum – has made some changes in the last few years. I [...]
New York agency approves financing deal on two World Trade Center towers
The owners of the World Trade Center site formally approved a deal on August 26 to help back a developer’s bid for two more office towers alongside the main tower with over US$1 billion in financing, ending a year-long dispute that has bedeviled redevelopment plans. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s board [...]
ICBC’s top five tips for teen drivers
Nothing quite says “Freedom” to a teenager like getting their driver’s license. ICBC said that more than 50,000 got their first B.C. driver’s license in 2009, leading to a lot of novice drivers on the road. ICBC says that driving is especially risky when you lack experience as a new driver. Not only are new [...]
Stressed university students say working part time affects grades
The majority of post-secondary students (57 per cent) say they plan to work during the school year in order to help pay the bills, according to an RBC/Ipsos Reid poll. Three-quarters of students (77 per cent) believe working part-time during school will impact their grades, while six-in-10 expect to graduate with debt and 74 per [...]
Ninety per cent of Canadian organizations using social media
The vast majority of Canadian executives at large and mid-sized organizations say that social media has the potential to impact their corporate brand and as a result are placing more importance on its use. One in six says that social media is the most important means for their organization to engage the public about their [...]
Auto insurance premiums have to go up eventually, McGuinty says
New auto insurances changes that kicked in yesterday are rankling the opposition, but Premier Dalton McGuinty says premiums have to rise at some point. The Liberals say some of the new rules help the government crack down on fraud, but opposition critics say those changes leave honest drivers paying more. The new insurance rules include [...]
