High-contact services like restaurants and hotels were the largest contributors to the quarterly gain
The sector faces challenges as the pandemic stymies immigration and causes people to rethink their careers
Pandemic has driven return to surplus after years of deficits
People are generally more confident about their finances, despite economic anxiety, according to IG Wealth's latest index
Businesses expect profits to hold up, even as prices rise and amid labour shortages
Managing the withdrawal of monetary and fiscal supports remains key
The Finance Department's fiscal monitor says the deficit now reflects current economic challenges caused by Covid-19
Employers have made 18 million new hires since April 2020
Growth could surge to an 8% rate in the fourth quarter, some economists say
Crisis not as catastrophic as first feared thanks to fiscal supports