Bank of Canada and its Impact on Housing in Canada - Not Just Interest Rates

"...Canada’s central bank is using billions to flood the mortgage market with cheap money. It hasn’t been very effective, considering the scale of the purchase. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows a big mortgage bond buying spree since the beginning of the pandemic. The dollar value of the bond buying was known, but we’re only starting to see the scale. It turns out the central bank’s shopping spree is a quarter the size of mortgage credit expansion during the same period...."

 https://betterdwelling.com/bank-of-canadas-mortgage-buying-is-a-quarter-the-size-of-new-mortgage-credit/

What is Happening In Canada? Add "Freedom Of Vanadalism" to Our Long List of Freedoms and Rights

Really? Toppling one of the most significant figures in Canadian history that has lead to a country with the most freedoms, including freedom of speech (not freedom of vandalism) is now passed off as "mischief"?

"...The protest in general went really well," he said. "It's just the mischief at place du Canada that was a bit negative."..."

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/mobile/statue-of-john-a-macdonald-toppled-during-defund-the-police-protest-1.5084561?utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_source=facebook&cid=sm%3Atrueanthem%3Actvmontreal%3Apost

This is What Is Being Spread About Becoming a Permanent Resident to Canada

Nothing about how you can help Canada but how Canada can help you. No mention or acknowledgement of shared Canadian values, regard for institutions of Canada, Franco/Anglo roots, Monarchy history, first world allies, etc. 

"...leads to universal health care, high quality education and job opportunities..."

"...support labour market shortages..."

"...Welcoming immigrants into Canada will be the key to economic recovery post-coronavirus..."

"...there exists many ways to connect with other members of an immigrant’s community, including Facebook groups and country-specific or region-specific community centres around the country..."

"...ancestral origins often remain intact through community events. These events may focus on music, dance, food or religious practices. There also exists many restaurants with [featured origins]..."

Canada Immigration News: How to immigrate to Canada from the Middle East.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/how-to-immigrate-to-canada-from-the-middle-east-0815636.html

Any Canadians Wonder the Breakdown of Top Immigrant Countries? Do Canadians Have Access or Want this Information?

The top 10 immigrant source countries in June 2020 (PR numbers in brackets) were:

• India (6,760)
• China (2,010)
• Philippines (900)
• USA (740)
• Pakistan (595)
• Brazil (560)
• United Kingdom (535)
• Nigeria (530)
• Iran (390)
• South Korea (355)

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/canada-welcomed-over-19000-immigrants-in-june-0815387.html?_gl=1*ohb4ux*_ga*cUIyUWN3NXZZeFZXTk9lOGMzVzVRNFF6YmhWT0t1bmNNaWI3ZlVsSVBRZmd1cHVIUlRNLTZmQkRIeWRuV1VOSA..#gs.er5b4j

Lining Up The Liberal Voters: Although Immigration and Permanent Residencies Are on Decrease, Liberals/IRCC "Inviting" Participants by Way of Express Entry Program at RECORD Levels

Express Entry

Though the number of permanent residents admitted to Canada is still down compared to this time last year, according to the latest IRCC data, the federal government has so far issued more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in 2020 than any year before.

There were four Express Entry draws held in August. Canada invited candidates through every federal program managed by Express Entry, which includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class

Canada Immigration News: Canada adds 30 days to international travel restrictions.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/canada-adds-30-days-to-international-travel-restrictions-0815625.html

There Always Seems to be Justification for two Institutions in Canada - Immigration, Real Estate; Now Claims of Justification for Each Other

Better Dwelling: RBC: Canadian Immigration Recovery Unlikely Near Term, May Impact Real Estate.

https://betterdwelling.com/rbc-canadian-immigration-recovery-unlikely-near-term-may-impact-real-estate/

Another +1,500 "Invited" Fast Tracked Workers In Canada During Largest Economic Downturn And Millions Of Canadian Jobs Lost

Canada Immigration News: Ontario PNP invites 703 Express Entry candidates.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/ontario-pnp-invites-703-express-entry-candidates-0815602.html

"::.The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited candidates to apply for a provincial nomination if they had work experience in one of the following occupations:

• Financial managers NOC 0111
• Advertising, marketing and public relations managers NOC 0124
• Corporate sales managers NOC 0601
• Financial auditors and accountants NOC 1111
• Other financial officers NOC 1114
• Professional occupations in business management consulting NOC 1122
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses NOC 3012
• Allied primary health practitioners NOC 3124
• Dietitians and nutritionists NOC 3132..."

"...In order to receive the provincial nomination from Ontario, candidates need to apply under the Human Capital Priorities Stream, and have at least one year of experience in one of the above occupations...."

"...This year, the federal government has allocated 7,600 principal applicants for immigration through the OINP. This allocation includes 250 nominations for temporary workers in intermediate skilled occupations or National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill level C.

In 2019 over half of Ontario’s 7,391 PNP recipients were Express Entry candidates.."

Canada Immigration News: Saskatchewan invites 570 PNP candidates.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/saskatchewan-invites-570-pnp-candidates-0815609.html

"...The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is a base Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), meaning it is open to immigration candidates who do not have a federal Express Entry profile.

This sub-category is for highly skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan, who do not yet have a job offer in the province..."

Context: The Extent of Canadian Government Workers and What they Have, Have Not Given Up

https://financialpost.com/opinion/in-the-tough-times-ahead-what-is-trudeau-prepared-to-cut

"... The federal government’s single biggest cost centre is the $51 billion it spends on salaries and benefits for its 368,000 employees.

Many government employees have been working hard during the pandemic and they deserve our thanks. But fully 27 per cent of federal employees took at least some (paid) leave during the pandemic, which shows that even in an emergency it’s possible for Ottawa to get by with substantially fewer people on the payroll.

The savings from a reduced headcount would be considerable: if the government were to reduce its workforce by about 15 per cent and also reduce the salaries and benefits of remaining employees by an average of 15 per cent, it could save Canadian taxpayers around $14 billion a year.

Some will protest that this seems cruel and unfair. But is it unreasonable to ask government to cut costs when many businesses have gone bankrupt and millions of Canadians have lost their jobs or taken pay cuts? Are we really “all in this together”..."

Canada’s 2021 to 2023 Immigration Levels Plan to be Announced by November 1st, 2020

Canada Immigration News: What will Canadian immigration look like post-coronavirus?.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/what-will-canadian-immigration-look-like-post-coronavirus-0815567.html

This appears on google news frequently.  Lacking confirmation of the sources of their data, things not many Canadians know about the institution of immigration (which apparently now includes permanent residency)

"...At the same time, immigrants who arrive under the Federal Skilled Worker Program also successfully integrate into the labour market, and tend to surpass the earnings of Canadian-born workers after five years or so of landing in Canada...."

"...Immigration started to recover in June when about 19,000 new permanent residents were admitted to Canada. Though this is still down from the over 34,000 admitted in June of 2019..."

"...Nigeria, which is one of the main source countries of Canadian immigrants..."

What and How Others View Immigration to Canada

SBS: 'Goodbye Australia': Displaced temporary visa holders shift their immigration dream to Canada.

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/goodbye-australia-displaced-temporary-visa-holders-shift-their-immigration-dream-to-canada

Canada not his first choice but out of spite for Australia is  one looking at Canada. Second class citizenship is never a good thing however, second (class) choice of country is never a good thing either. A country of citizens that would rather have chosen to be somewhere else? 

"...While 30 per cent of Australia’s 25 million people were born overseas, more than 22% of Canadians identify themselves as immigrants..."

As the Liberals Borrow and Pay for Everything For Canadians, What Are the Repurcussions on the Loonie? Do Canadians Ever Stop and Wonder?

The Globe and Mail: Canadian dollar lags G10 peers as bets mount against the loonie.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/inside-the-market/market-news/article-canadian-dollar-lags-g10-peers-as-bets-mount-against-the-loonie/

"...The Canadian dollar weakened against its U.S. counterpart and all the other G10 currencies on Monday, as recent data showed that speculators have added to bearish bets on the loonie despite it climbing to a seven-month high.

“The Canadian dollar is broadly underperforming, which rather tells you that the dislike for the Canadian dollar that we seem to be seeing pretty consistently from the FX market is still there,” said Shaun Osborne, chief currency strategist at Scotiabank..."

WE Charity Exposed By Not for Profit Charity Groups

"..."This is a misinformed attempt at encouraging volunteerism,” said unidentified executives with Volunteer Alberta and the Alberta Non-Profit Network in a censored June 29 email, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

“It undermines the role of volunteerism in Canada. This program is designed to benefit the most privileged non-profit organizations in Canada and exclude those without the capacity or funding flexibility to engage in this program in the short time frame provided. What other unintended consequences will follow this action?”..."

We did find out later the consequences. 

http://nationalpost.com/news/national/feds-warned-about-we-charity-by-volunteer-groups-in-emails/wcm/214c000d-3c21-422d-9d7a-611d6b9f4b79

Canada as an Immigration Destination Point During Covid Times - Then What?

So what happens when Covid is over? Out of here ? Thanks for the passport ? 

"...by June nearly half of the respondents were more interested in immigrating to Canada as a result of COVID-19,” the WES report said..."

Canada Immigration News: Interest in immigrating to Canada increasing amid coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/interest-in-immigrating-to-canada-increasing-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-0815534.html

Immigration Not For Diversity, Economy, Inclusion, Asylum or Leftist Clauses - But For Housing Prices?

Yahoo Canada Finance: Crisis Management: Why immigration is good for homeowners.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/video/crisis-management-why-immigration-good-155656424.html

Can someone say "pyramid scheme"?

SNC Lavalin Marches On With Government of Canada Contracts

SNC-Lavalin, the company that landed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in trouble with the ethics commissioner, has been awarded more than 100 government contracts since the controversy.

And It Continues: Staggering Unemployment Among Canadians, Yet 4,200 "Invited" To Become Fast Tracked Permanent Residents

Canada Immigration News: Express Entry: Canada issues 600 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/express-entry-canada-issues-600-invitations-to-apply-for-permanent-residence-0815503.html

During COVID Where Millions Lost Jobs, This is What Happens in Canada

 https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/express-entry-canada-invites-3300-cec-candidates-0815531.html#gs.dfr99h

3,300 "invited" to work in Canada 

The Cost and Qualifications of Permant Residency in Canada? 120 Hours, or a Three Weeks Work Week, or a High School Volunteeer program

CTV News Montreal: 'Why not us?': Asylum seekers on COVID-19 front lines demand permanent residency.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/why-not-us-asylum-seekers-on-covid-19-front-lines-demand-permanent-residency-1.5065737

"...But asylum seekers and their supporters say Ottawa's plan excludes thousands of workers without permanent status in Canada who have laboured on the front lines during the pandemic, often at great personal risk to themselves and their families..."

That includes security guards and janitorial staff, factory workers, and farm labourers, among others.

To apply for residency under the new program, applicants must have claimed asylum in Canada prior to March 13 and have spent no less than 120 hours working as an orderly, nurse or another designated occupation between the date of their claim and Aug. 14.

They must also demonstrate they have six months of experience in the profession before they can receive permanent residency and have until the end of August 2021 to meet that requirement

More Trickling of Data Regards to Canada Immigration

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/canada-offers-immigration-support-to-lebanon-0815482.html

"...Between 2015 and 2019, an average of 1,800 Lebanese nationals obtained Canadian permanent residence per year..."

"..Lebanese-Canadians with close family in Lebanon are able to sponsor their relative through Canada’s family class program.

The largest available immigration option is through Canada’s economic class program. It comprises nearly 60 per cent of the 340,000 or so immigrants that Canada seeks to welcome each year...."

Welcome Back To Canada Carney: Canada Has a New "Shadow Finance Minister" (Bye Bye "Oh No Morneau")

After empty comments by Justin that the corrupt Finance Minister Bill ("oh no") Morneau who "forgets" to pay back travel expenses to foreign countries under the guise of "charity", will not be fired, Mark Carney, the ex-Governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, has come back and basically is acting as Shadow Finance Minister in name, more than likely has the reins to the actual role.  Bill Morneau has not shown face since his unrehearsed and quick "I have to apologize" apology (July 17, 2020) at a speaking event right after the story came out.  Neither has Justin showed face (to be expected whenever there is a crisis) but he is rumoured to be gallivanting in Georgian Bay at a rich family/Liberal donor's cottage (Westons? The ones that received $12 Million for new environmentally friendly refrigerators). 

I'll go further and say the hiring of Mark Carney signals a change in the Liberal party.  Could he be eventual leader?  If so, it would solve many issues - finance issues as Oh No Morneau has shown his corrupt leanings; ethics issues that the Liberal party cannot seem to figure out and now in its third episode; succession issues if Justin's fall from grace continues since his 2015 election; and, budgetting issues (not just a socks budget but for an entire country and give it more than just an after thought). 

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-the-bus-approaches-bill-morneau/wcm/659c0954-3999-4b8d-ba5c-e242e9257769/

It Must Be Another Crisis For Trudeau: No Appearances in Media, Yet The RCMP Detail in Georgian Bay is A Giveaway

Tweets on Twitter claiming Justin is enjoying the Georgian Bay area while the country he governs is economic turmoil and his party suffering from ethics breaches...again. 

Despite asking the question several times, when will Justin learn?, I believe there is no hope for this Politial Peter Pan and is setting a bitterness inducing example for Canadians and yes we are taxpayers that fund his out of touch reality lifestyle.  

Rumours that he is staying at the Westons' cottage - yes the same Weston family that owns Loblaw and received $12 million for environmentally friendly refrigerators.  

Torstar/Toronto Star's Overreaching Mindless, Leftist Clout Is Even Scarier and at Odds with Canadians Support of Freedom - Now Defender of Chinese Politics

 https://nationalpost.com/news/major-chinese-language-newspaper-rejects-b-c-groups-ad-criticizing-hong-kong-security-law/wcm/befc60dc-66eb-45ab-ad26-0a58d127b8eb/

"...Canada’s largest-circulation Chinese-language newspaper recently rejected a full-page ad criticizing the new Hong Kong national security law and one of the law’s Canadian supporters, raising new concerns about a pro-Beijing slant in Chinese-Canadian media.

A loose collection of 40 or so pro-democracy activists had been willing to spend $3,000 to purchase the spot in Sing Tao, a newspaper half-owned by Torstar, the Toronto Star’s parent company, said two of the activists.."

Car Rating: VW Tiguan

 As I have never owned an automobile and have rented many - SUVs, cars, even a pick up truck and a magic wagon (no inventory that day). 

I thought I would start reviewing these for others to read.  I'm not a motor-head, so my criteria is fairly rudimentay. 

capacity: 5 seats

body/style: large, but appears boxy

interior: decent interior, well laid out, roomy

back seats pull down/cargo: easy, lots of room, due to boxy feel, seems higher than other SUVs

radio controls on steering wheel : volume on left,  station selection on right - not ideal, as I am left handed and prefer both controls on left; able to change from FM station presets to AM presets. I  prefer all presets in same menu/page.

sound: not impressed, EQ did not respond as compared to thousands of other devices, stereos, cars, etc.

heated steering wheel: don't know, it is August

heated seats: don't know, it is August

start up (Key required?): key insert required

steering wheel adjustment: two positions

visual display: good, stations easy to see, 

rear view camera: yes

safety/lane adjust: no beeping at me

auto lights: yes

handling/feel: good

sunroof: no but I'm sure it is offered on other models

Overall: decent car, good for a weekend getaway or loading up for the cottage, not a preferred choice due to its boxy feel.  

Canada's Immigration Programs: Online Student to Permanent Resident ?

Canada Immigration News: Online courses started before study permit approval count toward PGWP.

https://www.cicnews.com/2020/08/online-study-done-before-study-permit-approval-counts-toward-pgwp-0815230.html

Climate Change "Crisis"? What About Covid, or even More Near Term, Garbage and Landfill Capacity

https://financialpost.com/opinion/ontarios-garbage-crisis-is-urgent/wcm/f68aa5f0-0098-47f4-954b-2faf9fc0f530/

",..The environmentally safe, cost-effective and reliable disposal option for this growing amount of garbage is made-in-Ontario landfills. Our landfill capacity deadline of 2032 will arrive even sooner — by 2028, just eight years away — should the U.S. government decide to close the border to Ontario’s garbage..."

Bankruptcies and Bankruptcy Protection in Canada - The Numbers Are Rising, Of Course

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/more-canadian-firms-than-ever-are-seeking-creditor-protection/wcm/05d71c4f-e8f0-43b2-9478-f4b84368f989/

In the three months through June, 27 firms were granted protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, a federal law that gives insolvent corporations that have debt of more than $5 million (US$3.7 million) an opportunity to restructure and avoid liquidation. That’s the most in any quarter since 2009, which is as far back as the data are available, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.

WE Fiasco Forgotten after a Long Weekend?

Here in Ontario, we have enjoyed a stormy Lord Simcoe Day holiday weekend.  And before everyone jumps on the ship of "find faults with any historical white figure in Canada's history", look him up!

As the headlines were filled all week, last week, with the latest from Trudeau in the hot seat as well as staff member Katie Telford over involvement in WE charity - both failing at convincing the Committee and Canadians in general, in line with the shifty Keilburger brothers themselves - there is no holding the feet to the fire this week. 

After a long weekend, nothing appears in the National Post, Financial Post Toronto Scar or the Globe and Fail this morning except an article that ALL charities are likely to feel some affect as the public grows suspicious of donating and one new article I saw was outlining the brothers Kielburger's connections throughout the USA.  Well you can thank the Kielburgers for that. 

Amazing how the media works.  Like goldfish.  Distracted by a long weekend, now on to the next shiny new story...

Is Big Tech Going the Way of Large Cap Gold Producers

The emphasis seems to be moving away from apps, devices, innovation that can either solve a need or just be "cool" for a certain demographic of technology adoptors, and towards "Bigger is Better!".

As the FAANG stocks all try to vie for the largest market cap...in history!  companies are acquiring other businesses to stay relevant.

Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed, straight-faced, that Apple had no dominant position in anything they did (outrageous)  at a recent inquiry of several top tier technology companies.  Meanwhile, Microsoft acquires Tik Tok. 

This reminds me of my career in the gold industry.  Early in my career, I learned the two behemoths, Barrick Gold and Newmont Gold, would bask in the slightest of relative share price performances.  That is, no matter what was happening to either company, as long as one CEO walked by the bloomberg terminal and saw his share price than the other, there was order in the universe.  It did not matter if costs were rising, capital expenditures had blown out, a mine was shutdown by a government, grades were decreasing, gold prices were decreasing, departures of key management, analyst downgrades, reduced guidance, etc. 

If this is the trend, it is time to take profits in Big Tech, buying puts or outright sell everything, I am looking at out of the money puts, with a one week expiry, ahead of a long weekend preferably. 

More to report later...

Anyone Remember Kodak? Now One of the Best Performing Stocks! Up 2,760%

https://financialpost.com/investing/kodak-shares-rally-drugs-pivot-photography-cryptocurrency-failure/wcm/40bc0e07-5e79-4035-acc1-48fd48bc3bd5/

From phyical photos to crypto currency to drug manufacturer, up 2,760%

"Kodak shares rise 2,760% as company pivots to drugs after failing at photography, cryptocurrency
Kodak plans to make ingredients for generic drugs, aided by a US$765 million U.S. government loan, but experts are skeptical"