Mark Carney joins Liberals’ economic growth task force

Mark Carney joins Liberals’ economic growth task force

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tapped Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, to chair a Liberal party task force on economic growth ahead of the next federal election, the party announced Monday. Carney, whose possible future in politics has been the subject of much speculation, will consult with business, labour and … Read more

Unemployment rate unchanged in July, though jobless rate for young people continued to rise

Unemployment rate unchanged in July, though jobless rate for young people continued to rise

Canada’s economy shed 2,800 jobs in July while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.4 per cent, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Employment fell in wholesale and retail trade, which shed 44,000 jobs, and in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, which shed 15,000 jobs. Public administration, transportation and warehousing, and utilities saw jobs gains. … Read more

Over 100,000 short-term rentals could be homes: StatsCan report

Over 100,000 short-term rentals could be homes: StatsCan report

A new report by Statistics Canada shows the country’s total number of short-term rental listings increased by more than 60 per cent between 2017 and 2023, while the number of short-term rental units that could be used as long-term housing grew by more than 80 per cent. The report identified more than 100,000 short-term rentals that … Read more

Trade your zucchini loaf for my jar of tomatoes? Why some Canadians are turning to bartering again

Trade your zucchini loaf for my jar of tomatoes? Why some Canadians are turning to bartering again

Cost of Living5:08Trade you a breadmaker for banana bread? When Samantha Fanning was expecting her second child, the room that would become the baby’s nursery needed a major glow-up. But as a professional photographer and at the time a single mother, Fanning didn’t have room in her schedule — or the painting skills required — to transform … Read more

The carbon tax has plagued the Liberals politically. Research says that’s not surprising

The carbon tax has plagued the Liberals politically. Research says that’s not surprising

It was supposed to do the heavy lifting for Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. And it was supposed to remain a major part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s legacy, both at home and abroad — part of an urgent global push to fight climate change. But instead of fulfilling those Liberal hopes, carbon pricing has … Read more

Mortgage debt is growing at its slowest pace in 23 years — but that could be short-lived, says CMHC

Mortgage debt is growing at its slowest pace in 23 years — but that could be short-lived, says CMHC

Mortgage debt grew at its slowest pace in 23 years in February, amid high borrowing costs and reservations related to the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate — but the slowdown likely won’t last, according to Canada’s housing agency. Canadian mortgage debt totalled $2.16 trillion that month, up 3.4 per cent from the same period last year — a historically low … Read more

Ontario electronics retailer Factory Direct to liquidate stores

Ontario electronics retailer Factory Direct to liquidate stores

Toronto Court documents show the discount electronics and home goods retailer wanted to close its 14 stores in the province because it has found the business is “no longer viable.” Discount retailer says business is ‘no longer viable’ The Canadian Press · Posted: Feb 16, 2024 11:43 AM EST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago … Read more

High interest rates aren’t to blame for housing crisis, Bank of Canada governor says

High interest rates aren’t to blame for housing crisis, Bank of Canada governor says

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank can’t solve the housing crisis with interest rates because the root cause is a supply shortage. Macklem faced multiple questions on housing affordability during an appearance before the finance committee on Thursday — one week after the bank yet again kept its key overnight interest rate at … Read more

Hong Kong court orders Chinese property developer Evergrande to liquidate

Hong Kong court orders Chinese property developer Evergrande to liquidate

A Hong Kong court on Monday ordered the liquidation of property company China Evergrande Group, a move likely to send ripples through China’s crumbling financial markets as policy-makers scramble to contain the deepening crisis. Evergrande, the world’s most indebted developer with more than $300 billion US in total liabilities, sent a struggling property sector into a … Read more