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17 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A ugust 13,2020 theifp.ca 905-877-8262 Noel Stoyles SALES REPRESENTATIVE DIRECT: (905) 866-8923 OFFICE: (905) 873-6111 (877) 306-IPRO (4776) 158 Guelph St., Unit 4 Georgetown, ON L7G 4A6noelstoyles@gmail.com To advertise in this Full Colour Directory, please email Kelli kkosonic@theifp.ca or call 905-234-1018 Your Real Estate Resource With 40 Year's Experience. Heather Morison Broker - ASA CIA CLHMS hmorison@royallepage.ca 905-873-4266 www.REresource.ca 519-853-0924 PETER DYMOND Sales Representative DEMAND THE DYMOND STANDARD 905-456-1000 REALTY SERVICES INC., BROKERAGE www.PeterDymond.com Elaine Corris Sales Representative 647-241-9927 ElaineCorrisSells@gmail.com www.elainecorrissells.ca REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY 324 Guelph Street, Georgetown ON L7G 4B5 Direct: 905.866.8766 Office: 905.877.8262 slpaglia@royallepage.ca www.sherylpaglia.ca Sheryl Paglia Sales Representative JanMcKEOWN sales representative 905-877-5211 info@mcqwinteam.com Don't forget when your list your property with the MCQWIN TEAM you also get 3 months free storage at a secure, heated & convenient in-town Storage facility. Our COVID-19 weak- ened economy got some good news recently. Retail sales rebounded 18 per cent in May, as re- ported by CBC in July. Despite the rebound, re- tail sales are still 20 per cent below pre-COVID-19 levels. After the Canadian economy suddenly switched from on to off, these rebound numbers are a good sign the econom- ic recovery may have start- ed. All indications are the June numbers will reflect continued recovery. That does not mean all retailers will regain the same level of financial strength they had going in- to this economic slowdown. The trend now is for major retailers to announce they will close some bricks-and- mortar locations or shut down entirely. Even though some Ca- nadians have shifted more of their shopping online, there is still a rough future ahead of the retail sector. The largest component of the Canadian economy is driven by consumer spend- ing. When we spend, the economy does well. Add in employment un- certainty and we can see how economically chal- lenging the future is. If we spend our way to an economic recovery, the carnage that could remain is Canadians spending their savings or adding per- sonal debt. And what are the impli- cations if there is a second wave of COVID-19 infec- tions in Canada? All previ- ous pandemics have had a second wave. For many, the economic future is a balancing act. We all have basic require- ments like food and shelter that must be purchased, but our ongoing employ- ment uncertainty may cause pause before we spend. And many are tired of the self-isolating times and want to regain the social and entertainment side of life. Our future is both un- certain and challenging. Decisions we make now could affect us for many years to come. We encour- age everyone to manage their finances carefully. Peter Watson, of Watson Investments MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI offers a weekly financial planning column, Dollars and Sense. He can be reached at www.watsoninvestment- s.com. OPINION UNCERTAINTY AND RISK AHEAD, DESPITE RECOVERING ECONOMY PETER WATSON Column CONSUMER SPENDING CRITICAL TO COUNTRY'S OVERALL WELL-BEING, BUT IT COULD HURT MANY CANADIANS IN THE LONG RUN, WRITES PETER WATSON A chipmunk climbs on a bird feeder. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. Ova Anderson photo ANIMAL TALES