Valhalla Private Capital

Canada’s unemployment rate is on the rise once again, this time reaching a 21-month high of 5.7% according to Statistics Canada. leading many to hint at an “economic slowdown” for the Great White North.

This marks the fourth month of an increase in unemployment in the past six months, with the rate expected to reach 6% by the end of 2023.

Tu Nguyen, economist RSM Canada shared via LinkedIn that “the impact of high interest rates on businesses and households is undeniable.”

On the topic, she continued: “Those currently unemployed and those just entering the workforce –youths, for instance, are finding it more challenging to find work as labour demand eases. Even though companies are not going through mass layoffs, hiring freezes are becoming the norm.”

The Bank of Canada will get one more jobs report before its next interest rate decision next month on 6 December, with experts predicting the central bank will not add a further rate hike.

This viewpoint is maintained by Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist at Credit Union Central Alberta, who explained: “The softening of the labour market, with weak job gains, slower wage growth and a rising unemployment rate, suggests that some slack is being created in the economy. This will be welcomed by the Bank of Canada, and we believe it means that another rate hike is very unlikely.”

However Stephen Tapp, PhD, chief economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, claims this further rise in unemployment is “certainly not a cause for alarm yet”, though signals the strain of an increase in immigrants to Canada’s labour supply.

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The one and only R Stewart (Randy) Thompson made an appearance at MNP's Tech the Halls Christmas party this year!

Rumor has it he brought his own red feather boa for the occasion... Goodlawyer BDC Fasken Innovate Calgary InterGen UCeed Investment Funds Olympia Trust Company Startup Canada Startup TNT

Amid Valhalla Private Capital's 2023 highlights was our 20th anniversary, which saw R Stewart (Randy) Thompson and the gang celebrate bringing upwards of $74m of capital to more than 300 companies over the span of two decades.

Speaking of the companies achievements to date, Randy shows gratitude for "geographic coverage in six cities at one time, with chapters in Red Deer and Medicine Hat at one point in our history, and (just before COVID) more than 150 investors, 14 partners and employees creating a “cradle to exit” experience for more than 1,200 companies a year in 29 countries."

"You were part of it, and many of you still are," he added. Read more of Randy's letter via our blog: https://www.valhallaprivatecap.com/members-alumni-message-randy-stewart-thompson

Happy 20th Anniversary Members and Alumni Our chairman Randy Thompson takes a moment to remember where Valhalla Private Capital came from and where we see ourselves going.

With another year almost in the books, we look back at the predictions of our Valhalla Vikings for 2023 with insights from R Stewart (Randy) Thompson, Rod Brown, Grant Lawrence, Marco Donadeo and more!

On the topic, our chairman Randy explained: "As entrepreneurs whether we like it or not there is at least one time in the journey where your expectations, assumptions, repetitive behaviors all get challenged.. and not like Kodak where you get boiled slowly, but like a sports car hitting a brick wall. That was my year.

"The other truth about a 'recalibration' in your journey is that the recalibration is spiritual... resetting what you believe and what's important and make sure you and your company stand for those values."

Read more via our blog: https://www.valhallaprivatecap.com/2023-year-ahead-angel-investing-entrepreneurs-business-canada

2023 and The Year Ahead for Valhalla Private Capital 2023 has finally arrived, signaling a bittersweet farewell to another tumultuous year for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Find out what our team has to say about 2022 and the year ahead.

More than half of workers believe that disclosing details on will lead to better , according to the latest iteration of LinkedIn’s Index.

The index - which is based on a survey of 3,302 members in Canada between June and September 2023 - found that 52% of people asked felt that people sharing their information (including and ) would improve workplace equality, compared to 48% in 2022.

This number varies between different generations, with younger Canadians more likely to express support for pay transparency (73%), followed by 69% of Millennials, 46% of Gen X and 44% of Baby Boomers.

However, 37% of those surveyed remarked that they felt anxious about sharing their pay information - a 2% rise from the year prior.

Likewise, just under half (49%) said they felt well for the work they do while 74% expressed that the between and had become too wide.

The people of LinkedIn have come out in their dozens to give their two cents on the topic, with Adrienne Tom, executive resume writer for executives, saying: “I'm all for salary transparency, so long as the number is clear and legit. Some postings list salary ranges so wide that the actual salary number isn't entirely clear, leaving job seekers confused.”

“If you have a manager who is not advocating for the pay gap, you are working for the wrong manager,” remarked career strategist Sweta Regmi, while noting that women in Ontario earn an average of $0.87 for every dollar earned by men.

On the topic, she added: “Salary ranges with job postings can help close the gender pay gap while allowing companies to find qualified candidates more quickly.”

Read more via our blog: https://www.valhallaprivatecap.com/pay-transparency-workforce-confidence-index-linkedin

Workers Call for Pay Transparency More than half of workers believe that disclosing worker compensation details on job postings will lead to better equality in pay, according to the latest iteration of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index.