Canada ranks 14th in the world for the most competitive economies
Canada continues to lose place in the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). 9th in 2009 then 12th in 2011, it now is found at 14th place.
The detailed analysis of this classification reveals that the country has many advantages: favourable labour market, good level of education, excellent infrastructure… But its weak points are bringing it down: loss of competitiveness on value added products and little drive in terms of innovation. The five leading countries are: Switzerland (for the 4th consecutive year), Singapore, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands. The United States meanwhile moved from 5th to 7th place this year.
More stringent rules for employment agencies in Alberta
With new regulations in place, the Alberta government wants to strengthen protection of job seekers, Canadian and foreign, who use employment agencies to be hired. The main objectives are to make the agencies more accountable and facilitate the processing of complaints by candidates in case something goes wrong. The only constraints agencies had previously were to obtain a provincial permit to practice their activity and to provide a free placement service for candidates. Now, they will also have the legal requirement to keep their accounting up to date, declare their agents and develop written contracts with both companies and candidates.