Carlos Gomes Key Quotations

BC is a very diversified economy, with strength in the high-tech industries, expanding natural gas and base metal sectors and booming non-residential construction. However, slowing exports in the province's key forest products sector will likely hold back gains in employment and vehicle sales in 2006.

B.C. is a very diversified economy, with strength in the high-tech industries, expanding natural gas and base metal sectors and booming non-residential construction. However, slowing exports in the province's key forest products sector will likely hold back gains in employment and vehicle sales in 2006.

In Ontario, job losses in manufacturing have accelerated in recent months alongside announced layoffs in the key auto sector. However, Ontario's economy is well diversified and strength in the service sector, which accounts for more than 70 percent of overall employment and economic activity, should support vehicle sales of about 590,000 units in 2006 - in line with the average of the past two years.