To Investigate The State Of The Canadian Economy, It Is Very Useful To Track

Title	To Investigate The State Of The Canadian Economy, It Is Very Useful To Track
# of Words	1368
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	5.47

     To investigate the state of the Canadian economy, it is very useful to track
Canada's six major economic goals: economic growth, economic stability, economic
efficiency, economic equity, viable balance of payments, and low unemployment.  At a
given time, Canada is achieving some of these goals while falling behind on some of the others.
When taken all into consideration, these goals give an indication of how well Canada has been doing
and the stage of the business cycle the Canadian economy is in.  In 1996-1997, Canada is
in slight recession and is only meeting the goals of economic stability, and viable balance
of payments.
       Canada can be said to be in a period of slight recession because there is a downswing
in economic activity.  To confirm a true recovery, "an economy must show no growth for
two consecutive quarters."  However, Canada is not in a true recession because there was a
3.0% growth in the third quarter, compared to 2.2% in the second quarter.  Eventhough it is not
true recession, the slow growth is a sure sign of a slight one.  Low inflation is also
is also prevalent and is symptomatic of a weak economy.  A low inflation rate of 1.4% in November
1996 does not provide much of an indication for economic growth and expansion.  A shrinking positive
balance of payments indicates these are tough economic times.  A fourth indication of a slight
recession is the high unemployment rate.  An unemployment rate of 10.0% in November 1996 is
definitely not a sign of strong economic recovery.
       Canada is always trying to work towards the goal of economic growth.  Economic growth
is the percentage change of GDP over a period of time and is also known as the growth rate.
In 1996, Canada's GDP has been increasing slowly since the first quarter.  The GDP in the
first quarter was 1.8%, then increased to 2.2% in the second quarter, and in the third quarter
it rose to 3.0%.  In this way, Canada has been experiencing steady growth.  This goal is being
met because of the increase in consumer spending inspite of the government cutbacks.  Consumer
spending levels tell producers what to produce, and how much to produce.  If consumer spending
increases, it gives a signal to the producers to produce more which causes the increasing GDP.
The government cutbacks contribute does contribute to lower consumer confidence and, thus, slows
the economic growth.  Slow, growth causes few jobs to be created as it means a slower rate of
expansion of industries.  When there is slow growth, few jobs are being created, so it does not
help the goal of low unemployment.  Slow growth also keeps inflation low.  For example, in September
1996, the inflation rate changed from 1.3% to 1.2%.  To stimulate economic growth, interest rates
must be kept low.  For example, the bank rate decreased to 3.5% in November 1996.  This encourages
businesses to borrow money and to expand.  Increased exports also help stimulate economic growth,
because increases in foreign demand for Canadian goods and services may stimulate the domestic
markets.
       The goal of economic stability has been achieved.  In 1996, the inflation rate has been
relatively low.  The inflation rate has been kept low as a result of consumer confidence.
Consumers were not willing to spend on expensive items with the current job picture.  This has
contributed to the low inflation rate.  For 1996, the annual inflation rate has been in
the 1.2% to 1.7% range.  The CPI in November 1996 was 136.8, but in November 1995, the CPI was
134.1.  Over the course of the year, the CPI has only changed 2.0%.  The effects of stability
is that the purchasing power of Canadian currency remains more of less the same.  With low
inflation, the value of the Canadian dollar, decreases very little.  Inflation rate can be
tolerated if it provides an incentive for businesses to expand.  There, low inflation is also
an incentive of economic growth.  Low inflation prompts the banks to lower interest rates which
also encourages economic growth.  Since there are trade offs when deciding whether to...

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