Crosscountry CANADA AT A GLANCE FINTECH A unique ecosystem
ACCORDING TO A GLOBAL SURVEY on trends in financial services, Toronto ranks fiſth among the world’s leading fintech centres. The survey was conducted by the Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) and Z/Yen, a UK think-tank. Toronto is the eighth most impor-
tant financial centre in the world, the second largest in North America in terms of employment, and has several globally recognized accelerators and incubators. “This unique ecosystem has created a perfect environment for a promising international fintech hub to emerge,” says TFSA President and CEO Janet Ecker. — YB
AUTO SALES Through the roof
VANCOUVER HAS JUST EARNED THE DUBIOUS HONOUR of being the third most unafford- able city in the world, according to an annual survey by Demographia. A Vancouver house sells for 11.8 times the median household revenue — so a couple would have to spend both their salaries entirely on housing for almost 12 years in a row. The study compares 92 cities with a population of more than a million. To
Luxe leaders
CAR SALES IN CANADA increased by 2.7% in 2016 compared with 2015, and Ford vehicles took the lead in a 9.3% surge. But the luxury market was the biggest winner, as baby boomers gave themselves a last big reward, reports Investment Executive. Jaguar’s sales shot up 134.1%, while Maserati’s grew by 33.5% and Porsche’s by 10.1%. “Boomers have worked hard all
their lives,” said automotive analyst and consultant Dennis DesRosiers. “They’re retiring in record numbers. The kids are gone, the college costs are gone, the housing costs are paid for and they’re treating themselves to vehicles. Nice vehicles.” — YB
be affordable, a city needs to have a ratio of three or lower. Above five, it becomes severely unaffordable. In Canada, most cities fall between the two limits: Montreal (4.8), Calgary (4.6) and Ottawa-Gatineau (3.9). Toronto is way over the top at 7.7, but still nowhere near Sydney (12.2) or Hong Kong (18.1). Only 11 cities land in the affordable range, and they are all in the US. — Yan Barcelo
BIOMIMICRY Gripping like a gecko
A GECKO LIZARD can walk upside down on a ceiling at amazing speed. That is because it has toe pads with tremendous adhesive force, but is able to peel its toes back to detach one foot at a time. This gripping and peeling mechanism
could be extremely useful in the industries where it’s necessary to pick up and move delicate objects, such as silicon wafers. For that reason, engineers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario have been looking for ways to replicate it. As reported in a university engineering e-newsletter, the team has now come out with the Gecko Gripper. When you pull on it, the gripper holds very strongly. But when you peel it slightly, it detaches very easily. The engineers are currently looking at potential commercial avenues for their new product. — YB
MARCH 2017 | CPA MAGAZINE | 7 REAL ESTATE
Chris Helgren/Reuters
Philippe Psaila/Science Photo Library
Apostrophe Productions/Getty
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