Latest news with #Isthmus
CBC
05-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
New Brunswick facing the lowest GDP growth in Canada this year, Deloitte forecast warns
Social Sharing A new report projects that New Brunswick will lag behind the rest of Canada this year on gross domestic product growth in 2025. Deloitte Canada's latest economic outlook forecasts a 0.6 per cent change in GDP for the province in 2025 — tied with Quebec for last in the country. That figure also slashes the last provincial projection nearly in half. In March, the province tabled its own outlook alongside the budget, and it forecast growth of 1.1 per cent this year. The report also projects Canada's economy will see a downturn over two consecutive quarters this year. This would meet the conventional definition of a recession, although the report does not use that term. New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy says the forecast is concerning, but he hopes infrastructure projects to begin this year will help offset the estimate. "There's still some major projects that are supposed to begin in New Brunswick this year that potentially could have a positive impact," Legacy said Monday. "I'm not sure if Deloitte factored any of these in, or if they're just looking at the macroeconomic factors. "There's the transmission corridor between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, we are starting to prep for the Isthmus ... hopefully we'll see these infrastructure projects move the needle." WATCH | N.B. finance minister says 'major projects' could have positive economic impact: Province still confident, despite report's forecast of economic downturn 2 hours ago Duration 2:47 Deloitte Canada predicts an economic downturn across Canada in 2025 because of an unstable trading relationship with the U.S. and a decrease in consumer confidence. The report puts New Brunswick at the bottom of the pack for growth. Construction on the transmission line is to begin this year, while a news release from the province estimates work on the Chignecto Isthmus will take about a decade. Preliminary engineering studies, design and land acquisition are expected over the first five years, with construction to follow after that. Legacy noted the Department of Finance and Treasury Board will soon be preparing the economic update for the quarter that ends in June. Chief economist Dawn Desjardins said in a statement that Deloitte's forecast draws on the current trade environment and economic data. "New Brunswick is highly exposed to trade and not only at risk of being impacted by U.S. tariffs but [it] also exports seafood to China, with much of those goods facing 25 per cent Chinese tariffs," Desjardins said in a statement. "N.B. also faces U.S. duties on its softwood lumber exports." Desjardins noted that aside from tariff concerns, New Brunswick is also seeing weaker immigration and lower sales in the housing market. Consumers showing caution Louis-Philippe Gauthier, Atlantic vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said small and medium-sized business owners are feeling the impact. "When you look at consumers being more careful with their dollars, small businesses not necessarily in the mood to invest their money, to grow their business, because of all the uncertainty, what we're seeing is potentially a slowdown on the horizon," Gauthier said in an interview. "It's a time of pressures, it's a time of uncertainty, and unfortunately that's the moment in time." He said it's too soon to know what government interventions might help businesses weather the storm.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Brunswick facing the lowest GDP growth in Canada this year, Deloitte forecast warns
A new report projects that New Brunswick will lag behind the rest of Canada this year on gross domestic product growth in 2025. Deloitte Canada's latest economic outlook forecasts a 0.6 per cent change in GDP for the province in 2025 — tied with Quebec for last in the country. That figure also slashes the last provincial projection nearly in half. In March, the province tabled its own outlook alongside the budget, and it forecast growth of 1.1 per cent this year. The report also projects Canada's economy will see a downturn over two consecutive quarters this year. This would meet the conventional definition of a recession, although the report does not use that term. New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy says the forecast is concerning, but he hopes infrastructure projects to begin this year will help offset the estimate. "There's still some major projects that are supposed to begin in New Brunswick this year that potentially could have a positive impact," Legacy said Monday. "I'm not sure if Deloitte factored any of these in, or if they're just looking at the macroeconomic factors. "There's the transmission corridor between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, we are starting to prep for the Isthmus ... hopefully we'll see these infrastructure projects move the needle." WATCH | N.B. finance minister says 'major projects' could have positive economic impact: Construction on the transmission line is to begin this year, while a news release from the province estimates work on the Chignecto Isthmus will take about a decade. Preliminary engineering studies, design and land acquisition are expected over the first five years, with construction to follow after that. Legacy noted the Department of Finance and Treasury Board will soon be preparing the economic update for the quarter that ends in June. Chief economist Dawn Desjardins said in a statement that Deloitte's forecast draws on the current trade environment and economic data. "New Brunswick is highly exposed to trade and not only at risk of being impacted by U.S. tariffs but [it] also exports seafood to China, with much of those goods facing 25 per cent Chinese tariffs," Desjardins said in a statement. "N.B. also faces U.S. duties on its softwood lumber exports." Desjardins noted that aside from tariff concerns, New Brunswick is also seeing weaker immigration and lower sales in the housing market. Louis-Philippe Gauthier, Atlantic vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said small and medium-sized business owners are feeling the impact. "When you look at consumers being more careful with their dollars, small businesses not necessarily in the mood to invest their money, to grow their business, because of all the uncertainty, what we're seeing is potentially a slowdown on the horizon," Gauthier said in an interview. "It's a time of pressures, it's a time of uncertainty, and unfortunately that's the moment in time." He said it's too soon to know what government interventions might help businesses weather the storm. "Over the last few years, business owners have lived ups and downs like never before," Gauthier said. "So unfortunately, it's more of that."
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Trio Of Leading Playground Experts To Lead Playspace Whakatū Design And Build
Creo has been appointed as 'end to end' project lead to bring Playspace Whakatū to life, in partnership with Isthmus Group as design lead and supported by Kūmānu as the local build experts. The design process formally began in Whakatū on Friday following a robust procurement process to engage a suitable design and build partner for the project. The new playspace, which will be built in Rutherford Park, is being led by Ngā Iwi o Te Tauihu in partnership with Nelson City Council. Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui chief executive Justin Carter said a high calibre of expressions of interest were made by design and build partners, with a shortlist of five bids considered in the final stage. 'Creo, Isthmus and Kūmānu were chosen because of their collective experience and expertise in bringing accessible, inclusive and inspiring playgrounds to life, all non-negotiable aspects of our vision,' he said. The ultimate goal of the playspace is to create an iconic, inclusive and place-inspired destination that is appealing to all ages and will attract families to the city centre. Creo is a reputable and integrated playspace design and build partner with extensive experience and an award-winning portfolio with particular strengths in the design of accessible and inclusive playgrounds, including the Lorna Irene Reserve Playground in Paraparaumu. They also offer manufacturing within the South Island. Isthmus is one of the country's leading landscape architecture and urban design firms with an award winning portfolio of playful and playable public destinations that reflect their kaupapa of 'regenerating Aotearoa by connecting land, people and culture'. Their localised design approach tells a unique story of place through collaboration with Iwi and communities. Kūmānu is a strong and reliable local partner with a significant depth of experience and expertise in delivering playgrounds across Te Tauihu, including the Rutherford Park site. Together, the Creo-led consortium formed a tight ship with extremely well suited strengths and the ability to offer an integrated end to end solution that minimised risk and maximised value for money for the project. "The proposed solution from Creo, Isthmus and Kūmānu offered the strongest possible outcome for the project - experienced delivery partners, local knowledge, and specialist design skills. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such a strong team and excited by what they can deliver in collaboration with iwi and council,' Justin said. Creo team lead Ben Witty said the consortium was thrilled to have been trusted with the task. 'There is an opportunity here to create something truly amazing for the people of Whakatū, that tells the story of the region and is inclusive for all ages, stages and abilities. We are very excited to be working with both local iwi and Nelson City Council to bring this space to life.' The new playspace is expected to open during the summer of 2026/27. More than 700 people made submissions about what they'd like to see in the playspace, which will now be used by the consortium in collaboration with iwi and Nelson City Council to form the concept and final designs. To keep up to date with progress on the playspace, head to to sign up for email updates.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hamel Family Wines Redesigned Its Labels, Much To Wisconsin's Sadness
The new label on Hamel Family Wines features a stylized M in the middle, representing their mountain vineyards. JIMMY HAYES for Hamel Family Wines Hamel Family Wines wanted a label that better reflected the ethos of its Sonoma terroir and biodynamic farming practices, but wine lovers in one state mourn the original label's iconic animal image. 'Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our tasting room so we decided to mark the occasion with a new label,' says John Hamel winemaker and son of owners Pamela and George Hamel, Jr. The new label features a stylized 'M' in the middle of Hamel, representing the Mayacamas Mountains, as the estate produces wines from its western hillsides in the Moon Mountain District and Sonoma Valley. This is the new label for Hamel Family Wines. Hamel Family Wines This label started with the 2022 vintage of Estate Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache and the 2020 vintage of Hamel's Bordeaux blends – the Stratum, Isthmus, Nuns Canyon Vineyard and Pamelita wines. 'The new label was a collaborative effort with Mike Hambleton and David Freas from the marketing and design firm Supermoon, and it reflects how our wine growing sensibilities have progressed over the past decade,' Hamel says. 'This label focuses on our high-elevation mountain terroir with the design of the 'M' and how we take a less is more approach with dry-farming and biodynamic and organic practices that are reflected through the minimalism and precision of the design,' Hamel explains. This clearer label represents industry trends. A study on wine labels published by MDPI this year noted that 'It has been found that there is a strong interest in clear and detailed labeling.' 'The wine label is a very powerful tool functioning in two directions: on the one hand, it aims to inform consumers, providing useful information, and, on the other hand, it is a dynamic communicational tool to attract consumers,' this study noted. This is the legacy label for Hamel Family Wines. Hamel Family Wines This previous label, which debuted on the 2010 vintages, featured Hamel Family Wines in cursive and an image of a badger. The badger reflects two things, Hamel says. Badgers are found in their Sonoma vineyards, and Hamel, his father and his grandfather all graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and Bucky badger is not only the school mascot, but Wisconsin is considered the Badger State. 'Wine buyers in Wisconsin got it right away,' Hamel says. 'When I would go into restaurants or meet with distributors, I have about ten minutes to introduce them to our wines, and I would spend five minutes explaining that it was a badger on our label,' Hamel says. 'I would rather explain our winemaking processes than have to explain what a critter on our label is.' But the badger on their legacy label really confused many wine buyers and restaurant owners. 'When I would go into restaurants or meet with distributors, I have about ten minutes to introduce them to our wines, and I would spend five minutes explaining that it was a badger on our label,' Hamel says. 'I would rather explain our winemaking processes than have to explain what a critter on our label is.' 'This would happen in 49 out of 50 states,' Hamel explains. Wisconsin, which is the badger state, not only recognized what the animal on their label was, but some wine buyers are sad to see the label go. 'Only in Wisconsin have I had people ask to have the badger stay on the label,' he says. 'But again, 49 out of 50 states, didn't understand the label.'
