I hope that your summer is off to a good start.
 
Results of the 2009 Employee Relocation Policy Survey are now on line. Findings indicate increased costs for relocating employees since 2007, due largely to housing costs. There is a definite refocus on cost containment in 2009 and expectations for growth in relocation volumes over the next year, particularly on the domestic front, are muted.  
 
Readers of this column will know that Canada and the European Union have begun negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Those negotiations will include provisions for the movement of labour and temporary entry of business persons. According to Mauro Petriccione, Director, Directorate-General for Trade of the EU, "Interest in the issues of labour mobility is very high both in Canada and the EU."  This presents an unprecedented opportunity for the business community to have input into the discussions and to help shape that agreement. To comment please view the discussion paper.

The Earlybird registration deadline for CERC's conference New Challenges - New Solutions September 27 - 29 in Ottawa is just around the corner. The conference has been designed to meet the challenges of these uncertain times. With a faculty of world class speakers and real life case studies, this conference promises to be one of the best in CERC's 27 year history. Register by July 10th and you'll save $200 on your registration fee!
 
I hope to see you in September, and HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Best regards,