• Gloom and doom

Many international bodies, including the IMF and the OECD, grimly warn 2012 may usher in more global economic turmoil. (Source) 

• Derailed recovery

The IMF warns Europe's fiscal troubles, combined with high Canadian household debt and overvalued housing could derail Canada's economic recovery. (Source) 

• Recession or slow growth?

• 55

Percentage of Canadians who plan to pay straight cash when gift buying this holiday season. (Source) 

• 37

Percentage of Canadians who plan to put their gift purchases on their credit card. (Source) 

• $640

• Early-1900s

The women's suffragette movement exercised quiet persistence, securing Canadian women's right to vote in federal elections in 1918. Provinces and territories eventually followed suit. (Source) 

• 1919

The Winnipeg General Strike paralyzed the city for days. Citizens joined the unions in a mass strike in a bid for better working conditions. Collective bargaining was recognized as a right 20 years later. (Source) 

• 1935

• $1.57 trillion
Canadians' household debt in the second quarter of 2011, reaching an all-time high this year. (Source and Source)

• 34.6 per cent
Canadians' housing equity at the end of 2010. That represents a 20-year low. (Source)

• 32

Percentage of two-parent families working full-time, year-round in 2005, more than double what it was in 1980 (15 per cent). (Source)

• 51

Percentage of single mothers working full-time, year-round in 2005, up from 43 per cent in 1980. (Source)

• 62.6

• 47
Percentage of Canadian workers who say they need a vacation more today than they've needed one in four years. (Source)

• 10
Number of statutory holidays Canadians are entitled to in a year. Lowest of 40 countries in an international survey of vacation time. (Source) 

• 30
Number of statutory holidays citizens in Finland, Brazil and France enjoy every year. (Source)