Housing starts remain healthy. Headlines have been announcing tens of thousands of layoffs across a wide range of businesses, from airlines to media to high-tech to financial services.
All forecasts are, in a sense, contingent forecasts . . .
An increased measure of fear and uncertainty amongst households and business . But no one has a clue, based on history, what is going to happen . But, officials add, that figure doesn't yet include the impact of Sept. 11 and the subsequent security costs. A lot of Canadians have very severe job security concerns. Most Canadians, most consumers respond to their own individual income situations and not the nation's as a whole.