On Monday, Statistics Canada reports on building permits for August. Economists expect a drop of 1% from July.

Meanwhile, the Richard Ivey purchasing managers index for September is published, with economists expecting a lower reading of 51.

On Wednesday, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports on housing starts in September. Annualized starts are forecast to fall to 209,000.

On Friday, StatsCan issues its labour force survey for September. Economists forecast 12,500 new jobs and the unemployment rate to rise to 6.2% from 6.1%.

Separately, StatsCan reports on international merchandise trade for August. Economists expect a surplus of $4 billion.

Also Friday, the Bank of Canada releases its latest Business Outlook Survey.

U.S. and overseas

On Tuesday, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke addresses the annual meeting of the National Association for Business Economics, in Washington, D.C.

Separately, the U.S. Federal Reserve issues the minutes from the FOMC meeting of September 16.

On Wednesday, the U.S. National Association of Realtors reports on pending home sales for August. A decline of 1.1% from a month earlier is expected.

Overseas, the Bank of England holds a meeting of its monetary policy committee in London.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labour reports on U.S. initial jobless claims for the week ended Oct. 4. Economists expect 475,000 claims.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on wholesale inventories for August. An increase of 0.4% is forecast.

Overseas, the Bank of England announces its interest rate decision.

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on the trade balance in August. Economists forecast a US$59 billion deficit.

Corporate earnings

On Monday, Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. reports its second-quarter results.

On Tuesday, aluminum giant Alcoa Inc. reports its third-quarter share results, as does Safeway Inc. and Yum Brands Inc.

On Wednesday, Costco Wholesale Corp. reports its fourth-quarter results, as does Monsanto Co.

On Thursday, Chevron Corp. reports third-quarter results.

On Friday, General Electric Co. reports its third-quarter earnings.