Skip to main content

Home/ Fall 2012 Challenges Assignment/ Group items tagged production

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
ShiyuandCristina SC

Canada's organic food certification system like 'an extortion racket,' report says | Ca... - 2 views

news.nationalpost.com/...n-extortion-racket-report-says

Commodities and Resources organic food

shared by ShiyuandCristina SC on 27 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Annual organic agricultural sales in Canada exceed $2.6-billion, by recent estimates, with supermarket chains joining alternative stores in stocking an ever-widening array of organic-labelled products.
  • Canada’s legislated organic certification process is an invitation for fraud and abuse, the report argues, with consumers paying an often hefty premium for a designation that requires no proof.
  • In response to the organic industry’s growth, Canada enacted a labelling requirement: Since 2009, products making an organic claim must be certified by an agency accredited by the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • The organic certification industry’s “dirty little secret,” they write, is that “organic crops and livestock are not tested in Canada before they are certified, thus making organic certification essentially meaningless.”
  • The CFIA said organic products are subject to its regular chemical residue monitoring program, along with all other food products. The federal agency, itself, does not provide certification, but rather accredits private businesses to do it. Most are for-profit businesses.
  • “There are a large number of consumers who have misperceptions of what organic means, attaching to it things that generally aren’t true,” Mr. Campbell said in an interview.
  • The analysis did find organic food was 30% less likely to contain trace levels of pesticides, with the researchers saying it was uncommon for any food in the U.S., organic or conventional, to have unsafe levels.
  • But the Frontier Centre authors say that without proof, organic authenticity should be questioned. When large amounts of money are involved, they say, such things as honour systems and the like cannot be relied upon.
  • “The certification bodies are responsible for verifying that organic operators are producing organic products in accordance with Canada’s organic standard,” the CFIA said in a written response.
  • ShiyuandCristina SC on 28 Nov 12
     
    1. Is it fair and better for organic food "businesses" to undergo their own inspections or should the government be responsible for our food safety? 2.The market failure mentioned in this article is an informature market failure. The definition of an informature market failure is when one side of the market has more information than the other. What are some visible solutions to this market failure?
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Aron Joshua Tolentino on 29 Nov 12
     
    1.) It is not fair for organic food businesses to inspect their own goods. By doing that, it will create bias in the inspection results. The government specifically the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) should be regulating the quality of every type of food that can be consumed by human beings. This minimizes bias in the results. 2.) There should be an open relationship within the market the sets the equality information in the market. Technically, trade should be fair, no secrets are valid. If they do not comply with this, law suits can be filed. E.g. fraud, copy right, etc.
  • Dyena Huynh on 30 Nov 12
     
    1. No i don't think it's fair that only the businesses themselves inspect themselves because in doing so, you'd assume that your products are good and therefore put less effort in inspecting them. The government should has some responsibility in inspecting the food because they need to make sure it's safe for people to eat, if they aren't careful with the things they're letting people consume they will run into a lot of health problems. More health problems mean more money to be used. 2. A visible solution to this market failure is to share information so this way it's fair for everyone.
  • Valentina Padure on 14 Dec 12
     
    * It is not fair for organic food companies to inspect their own products since they will obviously never reveal anything bad that could potentially damage the company. It would be like a student marking his own quiz or test, they would do anything they could to benefit their mark. This is why governments should be responsible for our food safety. * A visible solution would be that companies must to share all the information they are aware of with the consumers.
  • Samson Luong on 17 Dec 12
     
    1. It would not be the best idea for businesses to inspect their own food because there is a high possible margin of bias and committing unethical acts such as labeling their foods safe when they aren't are likely to occur. The government should be responsible because they would inspect each business in the same manner without bias and utilize the same procedures, ensuring fair inspections. 2. Visible solutions to this market failure would include sharing product information and inspection information to all producers and consumers.
Samson Luong

Rare-earth prices rise on slowed production - 2 views

www.globaltimes.cn/...744158.shtml

commodities and resources rare earth production supply demand Samson Zhang

shared by Samson Luong on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Prices of rare earths in China have rebounded recently due to a halt in production and market expectations of large purchases for State Reserves
  • 32,000 yuan ($5,137) per ton, compared with 23,000 yuan at the end of October, a rise of nearly 40 percent
  • The recent price jump is mainly the result of a suspension of production
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Rare-earth prices fluctuated wildly in 2011, jumping in June following government efforts to consolidate the sector but falling sharply in July as a result of oversupply and weakening market demand. 
  • There has also been market speculation that the State Reserve will buy rare earths in December, which has boosted market prices
  • soaring prices have negative effects on downstream industries that use rare earths as raw materials
  • To conserve resources and protect the environment from heavily polluting rare-earth mining, China has curbed output and exports of rare earths
  • Samson Luong on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. Can you use the economic concepts to explain what is happening in the rare earth market? (Hint: Supply and Demand determinants, the relationship of supply and demand etc. Feel free to use other concepts.) 2. Can you explain what type of interventions the government is using to solve the negative externalities in this case. What may happen in the market as a result?
JJ Igra

'Dead' cash to blame for Ontario's stagnant growth, task force warns - 2 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article5779990

JJ King Stagnate Growth

shared by JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12
     
    "A new status quo of slow or stagnant economic growth for Ontario's economy is developing," warns the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. "If economic growth languishes at less than 2 per cent annually, everything from government funding and programs to private sector competitiveness and employment will be impacted." The issue of dead money surfaced this summer when Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said Canadian companies are sitting on cash when they should be investing or returning it to shareholders - comments that sparked an avalanche of criticism from economists and executives. Canada's relative stability should make businesses more willing to invest. Instead, they are sitting on large cash reserves. Ontario's GDP per capita ranks 14th among 16 North American peer jurisdictions and lags the median of the peers by $7,500 Roger Martin, chairman of the task force and Rotman School of Management dean, in a release. "But the gap in GDP per capita with North American peers shows that Ontario needs to move now to push for more growth." Dead money could be used "to invest in the physical and human capital we need to increase our productivity and close the prosperity gap," he added. Key Concepts: GDP- gross domestic product Stagnate- Showing no activity; dull and sluggish: "a stagnant economy".
  • ...2 more comments...
  • JJ Igra on 03 Dec 12
     
    Questions: 1) What incentives can the government provide for businesses to invest in other company's? 2) Do you think the government should intervene more or should they let those company's do their own decision making?
  • anonymous on 06 Dec 12
     
    1) Subsidies so that businesses will be willing to take a risk and invest in other companies. 2) Canada is a mixed economy. Government should intervene if the situation is critical but it should also be up to companies to make the rational decision for their company. Netan
  • Cristina Raileanu on 07 Dec 12
     
    1) A crazy one would be to not corporate tax, them, if only for the beginning. Maybe subsidies the companies the government wants businesses to be involved in, and to be willing to invest into.
  • Valentina Padure on 14 Dec 12
     
    2.I think the government should not intervene in the decisions different companies make unless it greatly affects the country's economy.
Erica Yeo

Divisions between haves and have-nots begin with having skills - or not - The Globe and... - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article4906878

inequality divisions globeandmail challenges currentevents

shared by Erica Yeo on 22 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Baby boomers are targeted because after struggling to get an education in skills that would land a job, and after decades of effort, they have accumulated some wealth.
  • To them, we symbolize intergenerational inequality.
  • Your future will be defined by how well you learn skills that match the needs of the job market. Those who gain useful skills will find higher paying, more rewarding jobs; those without that knowledge will face low-paying, unstable prospects.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • fail to report what portion of their graduates find work that requires a university education.
  • large numbers of unfilled jobs co-existing with high levels of youth unemployment.
  • what if Canadian universities were the root cause of the skills gap, rather than the solution?
  • progressively widening inequality gap between members of your own generation.
  • 40 per cent of Canadian university graduates aged 25 to 29 were employed in “low-skill” jobs,
  • Canadian graduates turning to jobs-focused colleges for further training.
  • reduces Canadian productivity and prosperity
  • they just keep spending public money to produce graduates with few job prospects,
  • And the class of 2013 may come to realize that the most damaging inequality is not that of financial disparity, but rather the inequality of hope.
  • Erica Yeo on 23 Nov 12
     
    Discussion Questions: 1. Why should a widening financial income gap be concerning to the economy? 2. What are the economic differences of the baby boomer's generation (1940's-1960's) and the current generation? Do you think these differences affected the education requirement of today's jobs?
faseehthemoonman

Mining industry stakes claim as most powerful economic and social force in Queensland |... - 0 views

www.theaustralian.com.au/...story-e6frg6n6-1226526384303

shared by faseehthemoonman on 01 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • faseehthemoonman on 02 Dec 12
     
    Queensland resources council conducted a study that showed the mineral and energy has once again has increased its economic contribution to the state. resource companies have created 36 billion in gross regional product, due to gas and coal companies. it is a smart decision that auzi started to investing in producing a wide range of commodity resources. since the coal market struck a high. The challenge now is to ensure that there is a strong pipeline of projects across all commodities to sustain and grow the resources.
  • faseehthemoonman on 02 Dec 12
     
    Question Do you think a country like Aus would have more success investing in resources and commodities than Canada?
Cristina Raileanu

Toronto stock market advances, commodities rise | CP24.com - 0 views

www.cp24.com/...ces-commodities-rise-1.1108337

commodities rise canada

shared by Cristina Raileanu on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • es for higher demand pushed up commodity prices. Strong demand for commodities from
  • Gold prices also climbed with the February contract up $22.50 to US$1,678 an ounce, pushing the gold sector ahead about 2.2 per cent. Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G) climbed $1.26 to C$36.68 while Iamgold Inc. (TSX:IMG) gained 20 cents to $10.73.
  • The energy sector was ahead 0.44 per cent while the February crude contract gained 72 cents to US$93.82 after earlier hitting a three-month high of US$94.70 a barrel. Prices also got a boost from a report that Saudi Arabia cut its crude production by nearly five per cent last month to the lowest level in 19 months.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) was 31 cents higher at C$33.58 while Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) advanced 51 cents to $26.69.
  • The information technology sector gained 1.4 per cent with Research In Motion Ltd. (TSX:RIM) ahead 39 cents to $11.79.
  • In Canada, Astral Media Inc. (TSX:ACM.A) said Thursday that its first-quarter profit was $59.6 million or $1.05 per share, beating analyst estimates. Revenue rose to $274.5 million, which was about $3 million below analyst estimates but higher than a year before. The company has a friendly deal with BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE), which is seeking regulatory approval to buy Astral for about $3.38 billion. Astral edged up 31 cents to $47.21.
  • Canadian pharmaceutical chain Jean Coutu Group (TSX:PJC.A) on Thursday reported stronger sales and a quarterly profit that beat analyst estimates by a penny per share.
Cristina Raileanu

Raising Interest Rates? Canada's Impending Household Debt Crisis | Global Research - 0 views

www.globalresearch.ca/...5318278

crisis canada consumer debt

shared by Cristina Raileanu on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • If the bank feels you can pay $2,000 a month on a mortgage, then you generally qualify for the loan, if you have the right credit record and collateral.
  • It is worth noting here that the money your bank loans for a mortgage is created out of thin air at the push of a button. They do not lend the money of their depositors for this.
  • interest charges are built into just about every product and service available. Higher interest rates means businesses would have to charge more to recover their loan costs.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • For an extreme example of what can happen one only has to turn back the clock to the 1980s, when 20% interest rates destroyed many businesses and individual lives;
  • it is the average consumer that is blamed for the problems created by the so-called experts.
  • one could take each aforementioned quote by the experts, reword it to mean the exact opposite, and thereby have a better understanding of the situation.
faseehthemoonman

Canada's Economic Future: What Have We Learned from the 1990s? - Bank of Canada - 1 views

www.bankofcanada.ca/...ic-future-what-have-we-learned

mail bank canada consumer

shared by faseehthemoonman on 17 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • To conclude, our economy has been expanding robustly over the past five years, inflation has remained low, employment and incomes have been rising. And we are now seeing encouraging signs of a productivity payoff from the restructuring of the past decade
  • faseehthemoonman on 17 Jan 13
     
    "r"
faseehthemoonman

Bank of Canada warns of rate increase, flags debt concerns - The Globe and Mail - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article4630682

globe mail bank canada rate increase consumer

shared by faseehthemoonman on 16 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • The Bank of Canada has laid out a clearer path for interest rates, pushing back the timing of an eventual increase
  • Bank of Canada’s benchmark rate from its current setting of 1 per cent.
  • 167 per cent
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Households need to slow their borrowing on their own, or else the Bank of Canada will give them reason to do so
  • anada’s gross domestic product grew at annual rates of 1.8 and 1.9
  • Since April, the Bank of Canada had been talking about a potential rate increase in the context of an “economic expansion” that failed to achieve
  • forecast for economic growth this year to 2.2 per cent from 2.1 per cent
1 - 9 of 9
Showing 20▼ items per page