The oceans are an integral part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural and economic heritage — and a critical part of its future.
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, or MI as we are known, looks to the future while anchoring to the province’s rich history. Since its inception in 1964, MI has been a catalyst for innovative training, education and applied research in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Long before there were conversations about the United Nations’ Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development or the Blue Economy, MI was a driver of sustainable economic development in the oceans sector.
The institute’s mission is to “foster economic development in strategic sectors of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, particularly the fisheries and offshore, and to enable Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in the marine industry nationally and internationally.”
Our most recent strategic planning process included consulting with local, national and international industry leaders and analyzing the oceans education ecosystem. The resulting strategic plan focuses on applied academics, technology, industrial solutions, knowledge generation and people — and aligns with Memorial University’s strategic plan, “Transforming Our Horizons.”
Our focus is on proactive programs, inspired learning, dynamic research, commitment to communities and promoting our pride in our university. These strategic plans are rooted in people and place.
Our three schools — ocean technology, maritime studies and fisheries — provide opportunities to convene innovative oceans education, training and applied research. Our more than 400 industry focused short courses provide a road map unequalled for continuing studies and micro credentials in the oceans sector.
Over the past five years, MI has created four new master’s degrees and two PhD programs – something the people of this province should be proud of. These programs contribute to unprecedented growth in student enrollment. With a recent undergraduate certificate in leadership supported by the Fry Family Foundation and a signed MOU with the Royal Canadian Navy to further civil-military partnerships, MI is well positioned to guide the next generation of leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador.
And it doesn’t stop there. Through our six applied research centres we have created incredible opportunity to partner with communities throughout the province, the rest of Canada and around the world in sustainable fisheries research, ocean innovation, and marine education in safety, security and wellness.
MI is also home to the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, a separately incorporated entity of Memorial that brings industry and academia together to seek solutions to industry questions.
MI does not rest on its laurels. It is home to creative instructors, researchers, brilliant students, and partnerships with industry and communities at home and around the world. It is truly a portal to the oceans for Canada.
Most recently that portal became visibly obvious with the realization of a long standing dream to build an oceans innovation hub for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, industry partners, students and researchers and Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our Holyrood Marine Base was recently renamed The Launch.
This is not just a re-branding exercise but rather a signal that we are taking our collective expertise in applied research, oceans education and industrial training to the world. This a true “field of dreams” moment. Our partnership with the town of Holyrood, federal and provincial government partners and industry partners will allow us to build on the success of oceans innovation and create economic development opportunities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
We were also very proud to name the new oceans innovation building at The Launch the Dr. Arthur W. May Building.
It is a fitting tribute to Memorial University’s former president and vice-chancellor whose passion for oceans research as a fisheries biologist, was only equalled by his support for oceans education, training and applied research.
As we stay true to our historic mission of economic development in the oceans sector, I am proud to say that we are convening a virtual symposium called “Propelling the Blue Economy: Connecting Our Oceans, Our People, Our Future” for scientists, researchers, government representatives, industry stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous and coastal communities to exchange and share their experiences and ideas on all aspects of The United Nations Ocean Decade.
We endeavour to fulfill our place as a world innovator.
Memorial University’s motto – Provehito in Altum – eloquently states “Launch forth into the deep.” Indeed, we are launching the next generation of student leaders in the oceans, launching oceans innovation and launching economic development for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Let’s all launch forth together!
Dr. Robert Shea Vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute), pro tempore
OTTAWA – Canada’s unemployment rate held steady at 6.5 per cent last month as hiring remained weak across the economy.
Statistics Canada’s labour force survey on Friday said employment rose by a modest 15,000 jobs in October.
Business, building and support services saw the largest gain in employment.
Meanwhile, finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing experienced the largest decline.
Many economists see weakness in the job market continuing in the short term, before the Bank of Canada’s interest rate cuts spark a rebound in economic growth next year.
Despite ongoing softness in the labour market, however, strong wage growth has raged on in Canada. Average hourly wages in October grew 4.9 per cent from a year ago, reaching $35.76.
Friday’s report also shed some light on the financial health of households.
According to the agency, 28.8 per cent of Canadians aged 15 or older were living in a household that had difficulty meeting financial needs – like food and housing – in the previous four weeks.
That was down from 33.1 per cent in October 2023 and 35.5 per cent in October 2022, but still above the 20.4 per cent figure recorded in October 2020.
People living in a rented home were more likely to report difficulty meeting financial needs, with nearly four in 10 reporting that was the case.
That compares with just under a quarter of those living in an owned home by a household member.
Immigrants were also more likely to report facing financial strain last month, with about four out of 10 immigrants who landed in the last year doing so.
That compares with about three in 10 more established immigrants and one in four of people born in Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information says health-care spending in Canada is projected to reach a new high in 2024.
The annual report released Thursday says total health spending is expected to hit $372 billion, or $9,054 per Canadian.
CIHI’s national analysis predicts expenditures will rise by 5.7 per cent in 2024, compared to 4.5 per cent in 2023 and 1.7 per cent in 2022.
This year’s health spending is estimated to represent 12.4 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product. Excluding two years of the pandemic, it would be the highest ratio in the country’s history.
While it’s not unusual for health expenditures to outpace economic growth, the report says this could be the case for the next several years due to Canada’s growing population and its aging demographic.
Canada’s per capita spending on health care in 2022 was among the highest in the world, but still less than countries such as the United States and Sweden.
The report notes that the Canadian dental and pharmacare plans could push health-care spending even further as more people who previously couldn’t afford these services start using them.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
As Canadians wake up to news that Donald Trump will return to the White House, the president-elect’s protectionist stance is casting a spotlight on what effect his second term will have on Canada-U.S. economic ties.
Some Canadian business leaders have expressed worry over Trump’s promise to introduce a universal 10 per cent tariff on all American imports.
A Canadian Chamber of Commerce report released last month suggested those tariffs would shrink the Canadian economy, resulting in around $30 billion per year in economic costs.
More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S.
Canada’s manufacturing sector faces the biggest risk should Trump push forward on imposing broad tariffs, said Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters president and CEO Dennis Darby. He said the sector is the “most trade-exposed” within Canada.
“It’s in the U.S.’s best interest, it’s in our best interest, but most importantly for consumers across North America, that we’re able to trade goods, materials, ingredients, as we have under the trade agreements,” Darby said in an interview.
“It’s a more complex or complicated outcome than it would have been with the Democrats, but we’ve had to deal with this before and we’re going to do our best to deal with it again.”
American economists have also warned Trump’s plan could cause inflation and possibly a recession, which could have ripple effects in Canada.
It’s consumers who will ultimately feel the burden of any inflationary effect caused by broad tariffs, said Darby.
“A tariff tends to raise costs, and it ultimately raises prices, so that’s something that we have to be prepared for,” he said.
“It could tilt production mandates. A tariff makes goods more expensive, but on the same token, it also will make inputs for the U.S. more expensive.”
A report last month by TD economist Marc Ercolao said research shows a full-scale implementation of Trump’s tariff plan could lead to a near-five per cent reduction in Canadian export volumes to the U.S. by early-2027, relative to current baseline forecasts.
Retaliation by Canada would also increase costs for domestic producers, and push import volumes lower in the process.
“Slowing import activity mitigates some of the negative net trade impact on total GDP enough to avoid a technical recession, but still produces a period of extended stagnation through 2025 and 2026,” Ercolao said.
Since the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement came into effect in 2020, trade between Canada and the U.S. has surged by 46 per cent, according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
With that deal is up for review in 2026, Canadian Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Candace Laing said the Canadian government “must collaborate effectively with the Trump administration to preserve and strengthen our bilateral economic partnership.”
“With an impressive $3.6 billion in daily trade, Canada and the United States are each other’s closest international partners. The secure and efficient flow of goods and people across our border … remains essential for the economies of both countries,” she said in a statement.
“By resisting tariffs and trade barriers that will only raise prices and hurt consumers in both countries, Canada and the United States can strengthen resilient cross-border supply chains that enhance our shared economic security.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
