In This Economy?!

It's been a tumultuous year for the economy to say the least, especially in the interest of real estate and housing. The Bank of Canada cut interest rates nine times, yet buyers are still erring on the side of caution, waiting for some sort of stability before diving head-first into the market. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Shawn Zigelstein, broker and team leader for Royal Lepage to see what Canadians could expect heading into 2026. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

It's the kind of relief Canadians have been waiting to see for a while, but year after year, the idea of grocery prices lowering seems to be farther and farther away.Dalhousie University's annual publication, 'Canada's Food Price Report', found that families will be spending an extra 4% on groceries next year, coming out at more than $17,000. Host Mike Eppel speaks to the lead author of the report, Sylvain Charlebois, to discuss the latest in Canada's food market, and whether or not Canadians should hold their breath for lower prices. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Although the 'Buy Canadian' economic movement picked up most of its steam shortly after US President Trump announced tariffs on Canadian goods, the momentum is still going, even amid affordability struggles.A new report from Square Canada says more than 60% of Canadians are willing to support local, Canadian businesses this holiday season even if it means digging deeper into their pockets.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Karisa Marra, head of sales for Square Canada to discuss how Canadians are feeling heading into the holiday season, and how shopping with intention can sometimes feel better than trying to find the best deals. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

A recent report by Indeed Canada found that seasonal job postings are up 12% this year compared to 2024, which could offer some respite for those looking for work. Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate remains elevated for the month of October, sitting at 6.9%, while youth unemployment is basically double that at 14.1%.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed Canada to break down the report and discuss how the interest in holiday jobs says more about the bigger picture of the state of the economy. The also discuss how the current geopolitical climate plays into the unemployment market. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced his first budget earlier this week, announcing a $78.3 billion deficit, as well as other major investments in defence, AI initiatives and housing.Included in the 406-page report are changes to improving productivity by implementing corporate tax reforms to incentivize foreign investors, as well as accelerate domestic economic growth.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Mikaela McQuade, policy and economics partner at PWC Canada, to break down whether or not Carney's investment into solving the 'productivity problem' will actually yield the results Canada deserves. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

The Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, announced the fourth policy interest rate cut this year, down by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.25%, signaling a steadiness in inflation, while simultaneously warning of a weakening economy. It comes in the midst of a volatile U.S.-Canada trade war, and ahead of a later-than-usual federal budget, with a projected deficit of close to $70 billion. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Barry Schwartz, President and Chief Investment Officer at Baskin Wealth to get a pulse check of the Canadian economy ahead of the upcoming November 4th federal budget. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!

No one likes checking their credit score and seeing a hit to the rating - even the Canadian government. Credit rating agencies are bracing for the upcoming November 4th federal budget, and with a lack of fiscal updates since the last federal budget under the Trudeau government, economists aren't quite sure what they should expect when it comes to the deficit.So just how deep could the red ink run? And will the minority federal government receive the backing from any of the opposition parties to get it passed through the House?Host Mike Eppel speaks to Randall Bartlett, Deputy Chief Economist at Desjardins to discuss what former-banker-turned-Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has up his sleeve for the upcoming budget, and what he plans to do about a potentially ominously large deficit. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Canada's automotive sector continues to trot along the bumpy road, after auto giant Stellantis announced its plans to relocate Jeep production from the Brampton Assembly Plant to a location in Illinois.The Brampton plant has closed its doors in 2024 in preparation for the production of the new EV model, but that's also been paused after US President Trump's tariff announcement on the automotive sector earlier this year.The residuals of Trump's push for domestic vehicle production has since threatened the livelihoods of more than 3,000 at the Brampton plant alone, with the rest of the sector biting its nails for whatever else the President has up his sleeves. And Ottawa has since announced it might bring Stellantis before a judge if it actually goes through with their $13B investment moving down South.Host Mike Eppel speaks to Greg Layson, Digital and Mobile Editor at Automotive News Canada to break down the 'why' behind Stellantis' bombshell announcement, and where it leaves Canada's fragile automotive sector. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

A recent report from the University of Ottawa shows 22 out of the 34 municipalities in Ontario were given failing grades in regards to taxes and red tape restrictions surrounding development acceleration.And unfortunately, Toronto seems to be wearing that 'F' right on its sleeve, reporting under 120 new condo sales in the month of August - a number that hasn't been that low in decades. And with the federal government making legislation to increase not just more housing, but affordable housing, how can we reignite builds? Host Mike Eppel speaks to Residential Construction Council of Ontario President Richard Lyall to get the answers. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

One by one, companies are mandating their employees to kiss their hybrid work-from-home model goodbye and head back into the office.But what once was before the pandemic rocked society's work-life balance, is no longer, and companies need to take the extra mile to ensure their offices pose as a productive workspace for their employees to thrive in.Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to Sarah Bramley, Senior VP, Workplace Advisory for Colliers Canada. She co-authored a recent report that detailed the relationship between a great office space and increased productivity. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Finding a job is difficult for anyone right now, but especially for a certain sector.Young people are having difficulty finding work. In fact, the youth unemployment rate this summer has been up to nearly 15%.A new study is taking a look at the root causes and offering some possible solutions.Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to L.J. Valencia, one of the co-authors of the Desjardins report. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Being a farmer in Canada isn't easy at the best of times, and there's a new big challenge ahead.This week, China announced a hefty tariff on our canola products, which happens to be this country's largest agricultural export.Billions of dollars are at stake - so how damaging could this be?Host of In This Economy?! Mike Eppel speaks with Mike von Massow, a professor in the Department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

As we approach the end of the summer, how is the economy actually doing and what can we expect for the rest of 2025? What does the data tell us about the impact of tariffs and what's really going on for Canadian businesses and households? Host Mike Eppel speaks to Don Drummond, economist and Staufford-Dunning Fellow at Queen's University and fellow in residence at the C.D. Howe Institute. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Despite all the noise about tariffs and their potential impact, it appears the Canadian economy is actually weathering the storm.An interest rate cut looked like a slam dunk a month ago and now, with signs that the economy isn't falling off a cliff, it's highly doubtful that those rates will be going down.So what to make of where we're at in this economy? How do you plan when things are so unpredictable? Host Mike Eppel breaks it down with Royce Mendes, Managing Director and head of Macro Strategy at Desjardins. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

The civil service in Ottawa is bracing for layoffs.It comes after Finance Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne was tasked with finding $25-billion dollars in savings to offset the biggest increase in defense spending in a generation. So how does that play in to our federal government's massive deficit? And how does that trickle down to you? Host Mike Eppel speaks with Dr. Wayne Petrozzi, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

A data breach used to be big news. It was disconcerting to those impacted and was normally followed by a class action lawsuit. But as they become more ubiquitous, are we caring less? And if you're a victim of a data breach, what is the financial impact to you? Host Mike Eppel speaks with Mike Hortobagyi, Senior Manager, Solutions Engineering at Otka Canada. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

It's the mid-point of the year and it's the economic question everyone is asking - what's going to happen with interest rates?On this episode of In This Economy - you'll hear from an expert about whether our economy is weakening and what that means for you.Host Mike Eppel speaks with Royce Mendes, Managing Director of Macro Strategy at Desjardins to do some "fearless forecasting". Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Housing affordability is a buzz word lately but how likely is it that it will actually become reality? Actual action on the issue has been really slow and housing starts aren't running at a pace that's it would need to be from a supply standpoint to make a meaningful difference. So what are the issues? What are the barriers to fixing this serious problem? Host Mike Eppel talks to Jordan Thomson, Director , Infrastructure Advisory at K-P-M-G Canada. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

In this crossover with The Big Story, you'll hear about the potential impact to Canadas economy from Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill". The bill could potentially have implications for Canadian investors and pension plans.Host Mike Eppel breaks down what it all means with guest Stephen Johnston, Director of Asset Management for Omnigence. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!  

Interest rates weren't cut this week. Why? Well, it's complicated. The Bank of Canada didn't give borrowers a break when it set policy on Wednesday, as Tiff Macklem cited the need to wait for more data points. The word "uncertainty" is being thrown around, although ironically, the economy was actually stronger in the first quarter than forecast. Host Mike Eppel speaks to experts about the lack of a cut and what that means for the market, home buyers and home owners.Guests: Claire Fan, Senior Economist, Royal Bank of Canada Phil Soper, President Royal LePage Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy?   We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need.  Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!