Are you renting with no plans to buy? Here’s what the federal budget has for you

The federal government tabled its annual budget on Tuesday with a promise to open the door to homeownership for millennial and Gen Z renters. You’ll have to read the fine print to find measures for young renters who can’t buy a home — or just don’t want to. In her budget document, Finance Minister Chrystia … Read more

Quebec employers group worried ‘political’ immigration debate will hurt jobs

The latest spat between Quebec and Ottawa over immigration is based on politics and not the reality of the labour market, says the head of a major employers group. “In some ways, it’s deplorable,” said Karl Blackburn, president and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec. His comments come as Quebec Premier François Legault … Read more

After community backlash, celeb chef David Chang will no longer enforce ‘chili crunch’ trademark

Day 69:34A small business owner resists Momofuku’s bid to trademark Chili Crunch Celebrity chef David Chang says he will no longer enforce the trademark for his chili crunch condiment.  The reversal comes after days of criticism, as some said his company, Momofuku, had attempted to bully business owners from selling their own version of the … Read more

CEO leaves Native Women’s Association of Canada engulfed in turmoil

The most prominent Indigenous women’s organization in Canada announced on Friday the departure of its chief executive officer amid internal turmoil. In an email viewed by CBC News, Carol McBride, president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), informed staff that Lynne Groulx is no longer employed as the organization’s CEO. “NWAC continues to … Read more

Poilievre calls on Trudeau to meet with premiers opposing federal carbon price

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should convene an emergency meeting with the country’s premiers to discuss the federal carbon price, Conservative Pierre Poilievre wrote in a letter Tuesday. Poilievre circulated the letter following the $15-per-tonne increase to the consumer carbon price that kicked in on Monday. The scheduled increase added about 3.3 cents to the carbon … Read more

Some consumers, businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy, say BoC surveys

The Bank of Canada says business and consumer sentiment improved during the first quarter of the year, despite higher interest rates still putting a drag on the economy. The central bank on Monday released its business outlook and consumer expectations surveys, which showed increased optimism as people expect interest rate cuts are nearing. Although firms … Read more

This business owner brought most of her manufacturing home from China — and feels punished for it

A Canadian company that manufactures children’s toy couches finds itself facing a stiff bill for import tariffs after bringing production home to this country. While Barumba Play is no longer importing a majority of its product, a single component of the couches has been reclassified by the Canada Border Services Agency and is no longer … Read more

Niagara Falls, Ont., mayor, police and telecoms brace for eclipse day crowds as 1 million visitors expected

Niagara Falls, Ont., mayor Jim Diodati says that when he goes out on April 8 to watch the total solar eclipse, he’s packing everything he might need for the entire day. “My plan is I’m riding my bike down there with my backpack. And it’s going to be loaded with cereal bars and water bottles. … Read more

SaltWire’s money woes a sign of bigger problems in the newspaper business: experts

The recent decision by SaltWire Network Inc., Atlantic Canada’s largest newspaper company, to seek protection from its creditors is another sign of the decline of the business and the growing threat to local journalism, experts said Tuesday. “We’re seeing a resurgence in a steady spate of closings and scaling back of local news operations,” said … Read more

SaltWire Network files for creditor protection, has $94M in debt

A company that owns nearly two dozen newspapers in Atlantic Canada has debts of almost $100 million and is filing for creditor protection. SaltWire Network made the application in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, according to court documents filed on Monday. The court documents said SaltWire has assets of almost $33 million and more than $94 … Read more