Series: Canada & the Recession

(11/28/11) This week we'll be looking in-depth at the very different ways that the recession has hit Canada. Over the last three years, communities and workers north of the border have fared much better than their counterparts here in the North Country.

Unemployment on the Canadian side of the lakes is far lower -- around 8% in Ontario and 7.7% in Quebec. In fact, through the Great Recession, Ontario and Quebec have actually grown jobs. And workers in those provinces who lose their positions can expect to be out of work for only half as long before they find a new job, when compared with workers in the US.

In a partnership with WBEZ public radio in Chicago, Brian Mann is traveling in Canada, talking with experts and workers. He spoke with Martha Foley.

(11/29/11) This week, as part of a partnership with WBEZ public radio in Chicago, Brian Mann is traveling in Ontario, talking about the very different impact of the recession north of the border. It turns out, workers living just a few miles away, in Canada, have experienced the economic downturn very differently than workers here.

While American cities along the Great Lakes like Buffalo and Rochester struggle and lose population, Toronto and Montreal are growing. They've even added jobs through the recession. Workers who do lose their jobs in Canada have a much more comprehensive social safety net and that may be helping to stabilize and boost the country's overall economy. Brian Mann speaks with Martha Foley from Toronto.

(11/30/11) This week, we're looking at the very different way that Canada has experienced the Great Recession, when compared to the North Country. In partnership with WBEZ public radio in Chicago, Brian Mann has been traveling this week in Ontario, comparing the situation in the US with life on the ground in Canada.

One of the biggest differences he's been finding is in government. This week, the New York Times reported that deep cuts have hit the public sector here in the US. But those same deep government cuts haven't occurred (at least not yet) north of the border.

Brian talked about the role government jobs have played in Canada, contrasted with the downsizing that has swept the US.

(12/01/11) Here in the North Country and across much of Upstate New York, population growth and economic development have been anemic for decades. But just north of the border, Canadian communities like Kingston are working aggressively to attract foreign immigrants willing to bring new energy and new skills.

As part of a partnership with WBEZ public radio in Chicago, Brian Mann has been traveling in Ontario, looking at the different strategies that Canada has used to boost prosperity. Today he reports from the city of Vaughan, just north of Toronto, where immigrants are seen as the key to the future. more

(12/02/11) This week, in partnership with WBEZ public radio in Chicago, Brian Mann has been traveling in Ontario, comparing and contrasting that province's economy during the recession with conditions here at home.

We've talked about everything from Canada's social safety net to immigration to public sector jobs. Brian's back home this morning in New York and he joined Martha Foley on the line to talk about the range of economic and public policy ideas being tested north of the border.