Government of Canada

About: Government of Canada is a government organization based out in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Monetary policy & Productivity. The organization has 796 authors who have published 886 publications receiving 21366 citations. The organization is also known as: federal government of Canada & Her Majesty's Government.

Outsourcing and Offshoring in Canada

Abstract: The paper has three main objectives First, it presents the long-term trends in outsourcing and offshoring across Canadian industries Second, it examines the relationship between offshoring and changes in trade patterns at the industry level It focuses on two major drivers that some have suggested are behind the recent trends toward offshoring: globalization and technological changes associated with information and communications technologies Third, the paper examines the economic impact of offshoring by investigating the relationship between the extent of offshoring and productivity growth, shifts to high value-added activities and changes in labour markets

Large‐scale commercial production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues: A case study of wheat straw in the Canadian Prairies

Abstract: This paper provides a business case for a large-scale wheat-straw-based cellulosic ethanol plant in the Canadian Prairies. Feedstock availability and costs were quantified for 11 locations representing the region’s agroecological soil zones. The economic feasibility of the cellulosic ethanol plant was evaluated using SuperPro Designer® based on simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation process. Total capital investment is approximately $90–$200 million for corresponding plant with capacities of 69–208 million liters annum-1. The lowest operating costs are associated with high volume biomass locations such as Yorkton, Lanigan, and Weyburn. A range of discount rates (7–15%), ethanol selling price ($1.00–$1.70 L-1), and feedstock cost ($35–70 tonne-1) was used to assess the sensitivity of plant profitability (NPV) to changes in these parameters. Average total cost of ethanol production decreased with increasing plant size, from $0.90 L-1 in a small ethanol plant to $0.66 L-1 for plant capacity higher than 125 million L. The sensitivity analysis showed better economies of scale for larger plants, with marginal costs and average cost curves suggesting that Canadian Prairies could support a cellulosic ethanol plant capacity of 250 million L annum-1 at a single location. Yorkton, Melfort, Weyburn, Prince Albert, and Lanigan generate positive NPV over a wider range of annual plant capacities (138–208 million L). Swift Current, Rosetown, and Kindersley have the lowest NPV, associated with their low straw density and correspondingly higher transportation costs. © 2017 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Quarterly Projection Model for India: Key Elements and Properties

Abstract: This paper outlines the key features of the production version of the quarterly projection model (QPM), which is a forward-looking open-economy gap model, calibrated to represent the Indian case, for generating forecasts and risk assessment as well as conducting policy analysis. QPM incorporates several India-specific features like the importance of the agricultural sector and food prices in the inflation process; features of monetary policy transmission and implications of an endogenous credibility process for monetary policy formulation. The paper also describes key properties and historical decompositions of some important macroeconomic variables.

Computers, Fax Machines and Wages in Canada: What Really Matters?

Abstract: Controlling for observable worker attributes, we find that computer use is associated with a wage premium of at most 14%. Following Dinardo and Pischke (1997), we examine the wage premium associated with other tools used on the job. While these authors find a significant wage premium for the use of pencils or for sitting down while working, we find a substantial and robust wage premium for the use of a fax machine. Using a variety of reasonable specifications of wage equations including both a computer use indicator and a fax use indicator, we consistently find a stronger effect for fax machines than for computers. Along with Dinardo and Pischke (1997), we argue that workers who use computers earn more than other employees not because of their computing skills per se, but rather because they have more other unobserved skills--innate or learned through school--than other employees.

Predicting how climate change threatens the prey base of Arctic marine predators.

Abstract: Arctic sea ice loss has direct consequences for predators. Climate-driven distribution shifts of native and invasive prey species may exacerbate these consequences. We assessed potential changes by modelling the prey base of a widely distributed Arctic predator (ringed seal; Pusa hispida) in a sentinel area for change (Hudson Bay) under high- and low-greenhouse gas emission scenarios from 1950 to 2100. All changes were relatively negligible under the low-emission scenario, but under the high-emission scenario, we projected a 50% decline in the abundance of the well-distributed, ice-adapted and energy-rich Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and an increase in the abundance of smaller temperate-associated fish in southern and coastal areas. Furthermore, our model predicted that all fish species declined in mean body size, but a 29% increase in total prey biomass. Declines in energy-rich prey and restrictions in their spatial range are likely to have cascading effects on Arctic predators.