(February 9 – 12:30 ET) – Awards for excellence in economic forecasting were presented to three Canadian economists. The awards were presented following the release of the results of Watson Wyatt’s 20th Annual Canadian Survey of Economic Expectations. The survey examined the predictions of 46 leading economists and market analysts.

Gerry MacLeod of RT Capital Management Inc. received the One-Year Crystal Award for excellence in economic forecasting for the year 2000. Leo de Bever of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Robert Fairholm of Standard & Poor’s DRI tied for the Five-Year Crystal Award for excellence in economic forecasting over the past five-year period.

The winners were selected by comparing the forecasts of survey participants to various actual market indicators and economic results published by Statistics Canada.

Watson Wyatt’s Survey of Economic Expectations 2001 provides forecasts for 24 indicators, based on the results of a questionnaire sent in December 2000. The results were compiled to give a consensus opinion on Canada’s economic prospects over the short term (2001), medium term (2002-2005), and long term (2006-2015).
-IE Staff