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Bank of Canada's core inflation rate continues downward trek

Dawn Desjardins, Senior Economist, RBC ECONOMICS RESEARCH - DAILY ECONOMIC UPDATE
Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The year-over-year all-items inflation rate slipped to 2.2% in January, lower than market forecasts for a 2.3% print. The Bank of Canada's core inflation rate, CPIX, fell to an as-expected 1.4%, the slowest pace since July 2005. The all-items index fell 0.2% in January over December, while the CPIX rose 0.1% on the month.

The 0.2% monthly decrease in the all-items CPI reflected a 0.5% dip in vehicle purchase and lease prices (due to manufacturer incentives and the 1% cut to the GST), a 10.3% drop in the price of travel tours and a 3.4% decline in men's clothing prices. Partially offsetting these declines were higher prices for gasoline, food, municipal water prices and rising mortgage interest costs.

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Calgary plots bold future
City aims to become energy hub

Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Calgary needs a bullet train to Fort McMurray, a downtown university campus and a ring road, as well as more child-care spaces and affordable housing, says a new report looking at the city's growth over the next decade.

Also included in the blueprint are plans to make Calgary a world-class city -- transforming it into a global energy hub and Canada's intellectual centre.

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Lifestyle perks draw people to city's core

Michelle Magnan, Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2008

There are many aspects about inner-city condo living that appeal to Nick Rowe.

First, there's the view of the city's skyline that he enjoys every morning while sitting at his breakfast bar.

Then, there's the fact that he can walk to his office in Mission. The 20-minute stroll not only lets him cut the amount of pollution he creates -- a contribution he feels good about -- but it also gives him time with his thoughts, a chance to plan his workday.

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Canadian building permits on track for strong gain in 2007

Dawn Desjardins, Senior Economist, RBC ECONOMICS RESEARCH - DAILY ECONOMIC UPDATE
Published: Thursday, January 10, 2008

Building permits dropped 9.9% in November, a much steeper decline than the consensus forecast for a 2% dip. October's level was revised higher, having increased 7.3% rather than the 6.8% rise reported in the preliminary report. Residential permits fell 5% in November and non-residential permits fell 17.5%, largely reversing the 19.8% jump in October. Year-to-date, permits were 12.4% higher than in the same period a year ago.

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