448 research outputs found

    Public Underwriting of Private Debt: The Prospect of Industry Targeting

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    This paper ascertains the nature and foreseeable effectiveness of some of stimulus measures introduced by Canada's federal government to stem the 2008 financial crisis. To that end, the paper considers three distinct elements which form one logical continuum. Starting with the identification of components of the overall economic stimulus package, the consideration then shifts to the least invulnerable stimulus measure, i.e. support to the auto industry. This is followed with a discussion of the possible implications of stimulus measures and other selected factors on the level of federal debt. The analysis shows that there is reason to doubt that the financial support to the auto industry was commensurate with its relative size or its comparative importance to the Canadian economy. Moreover, the combination of economic uncertainty and the already existing fiscal pressures of an aging population may exacerbate significantly the actual levels of federal deficit and debt. As such, a balanced approach to planned federal deficit reduction and federal debt stabilization may once again be desirable.national budget, budget deficit, national debt, automobile industry, economic crisis, stimulus measures, industry targeting

    Economic Development in Tajikistan

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    Tajikistan has experienced steady economic growth and achieved rapid poverty reduction over the past two decades, mainly due to a favourable external environment. However, Tajikistan’s economy is highly dependent on remittances, agriculture and a small exports base. This annotated bibliography looks at key documents published since 2014 relating to economic development in Tajikistan. For each resource, a couple of brief paragraphs describe the document including its methodology (where available) and main findings. Then recommendations from the document are highlighted, and any limitations of the report (such as relating to data collection, analysis or findings) are highlighted if stated. A number of databases, indices and further resources have been flagged as footnotes or in the key websites section

    Gender and Development: An Evaluation of World Bank Support, 2002-08

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    This evaluation reviews the World Bank's progress in gender integration from 2002 through 2008. Implementation of a 2001 gender strategy was initially strong, with integration into relevant projects peaking at 64% in 2003; but it declined between 2006 and 2008, due in part to the failure to implement an effective monitoring and evaluation system as outlined in the 2001 strategy

    Addressing the Pension Dilemma in Canada

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    The purpose of this paper is to advance understanding of defined benefit pension plans in Canada by focusing on important questions related to the funding, accounting and policy aspects of management of defined benefit pension plans. As well, the paper aims to impart a reasonable estimate of the standing of defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2003 and to explore potential remedies for consideration by stakeholders inclusive of legislators, regulators, standard setters, employers and members. The analysis shows that at December 31, 2003, 59% of Canadian defined benefit pension plans continued to be in deficit. That number rises to 95% if provided for indexation of benefits. It is expected that an additional 160billionisrequiredtofullyfundthosedeficits(assumingindexationofaccruedbenefits).Giventhatthefutureprospectsofequitiesmarketperformancearerelativelyconservative,itisunlikelythatstockmarketreturnsalonewillcorrectthesituation;atleastintheshortterm.Onasolvencybasis,160 billion is required to fully fund those deficits (assuming indexation of accrued benefits). Given that the future prospects of equities market performance are relatively conservative, it is unlikely that stock market returns alone will correct the situation; at least in the short term. On a solvency basis, 15 billion per year will need to be injected into defined benefit pension plans over the next five years to make up for the investment losses. Pension regulators must take a more proactive approach and monitor more closely pension plans that are in a deficit position.defined benefit pension plan, funding position of pension plans, household savings, retirement savings, retirement income, household finance, pension accounting

    Strengthening Impact Assessment in the CGIAR (SIAC)

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    Enabling technologies for decentralized interpersonal communication

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    In the recent years the Internet users have witnessed the emergence of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technologies and applications. One class of P2P applications is comprised of applications that are targeted for interpersonal communication. The communication applications that utilize P2P technologies are referred to as decentralized interpersonal communication applications. Such applications are decentralized in a sense that they do not require assistance from centralized servers for setting up multimedia sessions between users. The invention of Distributed Hash Table (DHT) algorithms has been an important, but not an inclusive enabler for decentralized interpersonal communication. Even though the DHTs provide a basic foundation for decentralization, there are still a number of challenges without viable technological solutions. The main contribution of this thesis is to propose technological solutions to a subset of the existing challenges. In addition, this thesis also presents the preliminary work for the technological solutions. There are two parts in the preliminary work. In the first part, a set of DHT algorithms are evaluated from the viewpoint of decentralized interpersonal communication, and the second part gives a coherent presentation of the challenges that a decentralized interpersonal communication application is going to encounter in mobile networks. The technological solution proposals contain two architectures and two algorithms. The first architecture enables an interconnection between a decentralized and a centralized communication network, and the second architecture enables the decentralization of a set of legacy applications. The first algorithm is a load balancing algorithm that enables good scalability, and the second algorithm is a search algorithm that enables arbitrary searches. The algorithms can be used, for example, in DHT-based networks. Even though this thesis has focused on the decentralized interpersonal communication, some of the proposed technological solutions also have general applicability outside the scope of decentralized interpersonal communication

    Enabling technologies for decentralized interpersonal communication

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    In the recent years the Internet users have witnessed the emergence of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technologies and applications. One class of P2P applications is comprised of applications that are targeted for interpersonal communication. The communication applications that utilize P2P technologies are referred to as decentralized interpersonal communication applications. Such applications are decentralized in a sense that they do not require assistance from centralized servers for setting up multimedia sessions between users. The invention of Distributed Hash Table (DHT) algorithms has been an important, but not an inclusive enabler for decentralized interpersonal communication. Even though the DHTs provide a basic foundation for decentralization, there are still a number of challenges without viable technological solutions. The main contribution of this thesis is to propose technological solutions to a subset of the existing challenges. In addition, this thesis also presents the preliminary work for the technological solutions. There are two parts in the preliminary work. In the first part, a set of DHT algorithms are evaluated from the viewpoint of decentralized interpersonal communication, and the second part gives a coherent presentation of the challenges that a decentralized interpersonal communication application is going to encounter in mobile networks. The technological solution proposals contain two architectures and two algorithms. The first architecture enables an interconnection between a decentralized and a centralized communication network, and the second architecture enables the decentralization of a set of legacy applications. The first algorithm is a load balancing algorithm that enables good scalability, and the second algorithm is a search algorithm that enables arbitrary searches. The algorithms can be used, for example, in DHT-based networks. Even though this thesis has focused on the decentralized interpersonal communication, some of the proposed technological solutions also have general applicability outside the scope of decentralized interpersonal communication

    Green Technology Commercialization An Analysis of the EPA’s SBIR Program

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    The purpose of this project was to identify how the EPA SBIR program can effectively utilize its limited funding by selecting and supporting small green business entrepreneurs with the greatest potential for bringing products to market. We interviewed representatives both from companies that successfully and unsuccessfully commercialized their technologies. Our team additionally contacted managers of similar programs, including other federal agencies’ SBIR programs, a green technology accelerator, and a venture capitalist company. We also distributed an electronic questionnaire to principal investigators. From the collected data, we developed a list of recommendations for the EPA’s SBIR selection and support processes

    Wilfrid Laurier University Senate Agenda: January 13, 2014

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    Agenda and meeting materials for the January 13, 2014 meeting of the Wilfrid Laurier University Senate (PDF)
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