Blind musicians and teachers communicate through vibration using Canadian-made device

Blind musicians and teachers communicate through vibration using Canadian-made device

As It Happens5:32Blind musicians and teachers communicate through vibration using Canadian-made device A PhD student in Ottawa has developed a device that allows blind and low-vision students to feel music cues, replacing the need to see them.  Instead of having to follow a conductor’s baton, or a teacher’s hand gestures during a lesson, music learners … Read more

Bank of Canada summary suggests weak job market was a concern ahead of July rate cut

Bank of Canada summary suggests weak job market was a concern ahead of July rate cut

The Bank of Canada wants the economy to pick up speed again and some members of its governing council are concerned that weak job market conditions could hinder that process. That’s according to the central bank’s newly released summary of deliberations detailing discussions ahead of the July 24 rate decision. “With the emergence of slack … Read more

After early struggles, federal refugee employment program gains traction with employers

After early struggles, federal refugee employment program gains traction with employers

As the federal government moves to restrict the number of temporary workers in the country, a relatively new program to bring refugees to Canada on a permanent basis is beginning to catch on with employers. The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is a federal program aimed, in part, at easing the labour shortages facing many … Read more

With questions swirling about his future, Trudeau largely stays on message in speech to donors

With questions swirling about his future, Trudeau largely stays on message in speech to donors

In his first address to party faithful since Monday’s byelection loss, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the defeat but didn’t seem to waver from his usual message. “We have a time where people are facing huge challenges and huge uncertainty around the world. We saw that on Monday night in Toronto-St. Paul’s,” Trudeau told Liberal … Read more

Would you name your baby after a sexy fairy? It’s happening thanks to a popular book series

Would you name your baby after a sexy fairy? It’s happening thanks to a popular book series

There was a time when people were shamed for reading smutty books, whether for the steaminess factor or the misconception that romance wasn’t real literature. But now, thanks to the surging popularity of books by authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, readers are loudly and proudly embracing the genre — and even appear to be naming … Read more

Open banking could spur competition, but fintechs say Canada’s moving too slowly

Open banking could spur competition, but fintechs say Canada’s moving too slowly

Federal efforts to bring “open banking” to Canada are being welcomed by players in the industry — but there’s also criticism that, after years of waiting, any changes may not come fast enough to encourage innovation or allow smaller financial players compete with larger institutions. Open banking lets consumers or business customers share personal and financial information between approved banks and other … Read more

The end of the world is trending. Why are we so obsessed with the apocalypse?

The end of the world is trending. Why are we so obsessed with the apocalypse?

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and Jay Baruchel feels fine. On the second season of his Crave series We’re All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel), which launched last week, the host and namesake explores several possible apocalyptic scenarios, from insect extinction to a world ruled by artificial intelligence. “I think we are all understandably … Read more

In videos and podcasts, Poilievre and Trudeau are eager to explain themselves — at length

In videos and podcasts, Poilievre and Trudeau are eager to explain themselves — at length

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the Liberal MP who made a name for himself as a backbencher with his own voice, posted a nine-minute video to YouTube this week about the federal government’s carbon pricing policy. It would be an exaggeration to say the video is setting the internet on fire. As of Friday afternoon, it had a … Read more

Bombardier gets federal exemption from sanctions on Russian titanium

Bombardier gets federal exemption from sanctions on Russian titanium

Bombardier is now the second large Canadian corporation known to have been granted an exemption from federal government sanctions on Russian titanium. The Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer, along with its European partner Airbus, can continue to use parts containing titanium produced by Russia’s VSMPO-AVISMA, based in Verkhnyaya Salda. During a conference call Thursday with reporters following the release of Bombardier’s quarterly results, CEO … Read more

Jay Baruchel explains why he wants to live in Canada ‘as crazy as that sounds’

Jay Baruchel explains why he wants to live in Canada ‘as crazy as that sounds’

Jay Baruchel has always defined himself by his love for Canada. The Ottawa-born, Montreal-bred actor lives in Toronto now, where he intends to stay, but even when he started building his career in Hollywood at 18, he was known for his unabashed patriotism. “I went there proud to be Canadian and being there made me … Read more