Loblaw reports $13.58B in Q1 revenue, as Reddit group’s boycott kicks off

Loblaw Companies reported $13.58 billion in first-quarter revenue — a 4.5 per cent increase from a year earlier — on Wednesday morning, the same day that a group of frustrated shoppers said they would begin a month-long boycott of the grocery retailer. The company’s quarterly profit was $459 million, marking a 9.8 per cent increase. Earnings per share were $1.72 … Read more

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

An Indigenous ecologist on why we need to stop and listen to save the planet

Quirks and Quarks19:12An Indigenous ecologist on why we need to stop and listen to save the planet Indigenous ecologist Jennifer Grenz has spent decades working to protect ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest through restoration and invasive species management. But recently, frustrated by the limitations of her work, she set out on a mission to incorporate … Read more

Shoppers Drug Mart faces proposed class action for alleged ‘unethical corporate practices’

A former Shoppers Drug Mart franchise owner has filed a proposed class action lawsuit against the Canadian retail pharmacy chain, and its parent company Loblaw, alleging the companies imposed “unsafe and unethical” corporate practices on franchise owner pharmacists to increase profits. The claim was filed in Ontario Superior Court last week and intends to cover … Read more

NDP motion on Palestinian statehood passes after major amendments

The House of Commons passed a softened New Democrat motion on Monday night that no longer calls for the federal government to officially recognize Palestinian statehood after last-minute amendments brought in by the governing Liberals. Softening the motion’s original language, one of the 14 amendments called for the government to work toward “the establishment of the State of Palestine … Read more

Left with few options, major U.S. airlines are using Boeing’s safety crisis as leverage

Airline executives are frustrated with Boeing as its safety crisis has upended their business plans. But in a tight market for large aircraft supplied by two companies, they have little choice but do business with the U.S. plane maker. Despite some public displays of alarm — United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby flew to France to … Read more

White House confirms reports of Russia’s ‘troubling’ anti-satellite weapon capability

The White House publicly confirmed on Thursday that Russia has obtained a “troubling” emerging anti-satellite weapon but said it cannot directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. intelligence officials have information that Russia has obtained the capability, but that such a weapon is not currently operational. … Read more

U.S. economy grows more than expected at end of 2023, driven by consumer spending

The U.S. economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 3.3 per cent annual pace from October through December as Americans showed a continued willingness to spend freely despite high interest rates and price levels that have frustrated many households. Thursday’s report from the U.S. Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods … Read more

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown revives a classic series with swashbuckling success

The Prince of Persia series has been stuck in quicksand for a few years. The original 1989 game by Jordan Mechner dazzled with its realistic (at the time) animation of a prince running and leaping across death traps. In 2003, The Sands of Time rebooted the series with widely loved action and attitude that sustained … Read more

Trudeau goes into 2024 in dire need of a better story to tell

The memo sent to staff in the Prime Minister’s Office to announce the hiring of Max Valiquette as the government’s new executive director of communications said the former marketing executive would be focused on, among other things, “aligning the entire team under a clear narrative.” In politics, a clear narrative isn’t everything, but it’s a … Read more