How Canada reached the brink of an unprecedented railway stoppage

How Canada reached the brink of an unprecedented railway stoppage

For the first time, Canada’s two main railway companies — Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City — are on the verge of a simultaneous labour stoppage that could inflict billions of dollars’ worth of economic damage. Why are both companies poised to stop? Contract talks between the Teamsters union and the companies usually take place … Read more

N.B. fishermen test new gear in bid to stay on the water when right whales spotted

N.B. fishermen test new gear in bid to stay on the water when right whales spotted

As of Aug. 13, fishermen in New Brunswick were forced to pull their traps and stop fishing on 35 separate occasions this year after North Atlantic right whales were spotted. But a new pilot program in the southwest is trying to keep lobster and crab boats on the water. Crab fisherman Greg Beckerton and two lobster fishermen, Judson Mitchell and … Read more

Why is gas more expensive in the summer? Competition, logistics — and the blend

Why is gas more expensive in the summer? Competition, logistics — and the blend

Cost of Living5:50Why is gas always more expensive in the summer? As summer approaches, Canadian drivers have likely already experienced the all-too-familiar rise in prices at gas station pumps. A boosted demand for gasoline by people on road trips affects prices, as did the latest increase in the federal carbon tax in most provinces and territories.  But there’s another key … Read more

‘Urgent’ safety recall leaves couple with dangerous Dodge truck for nearly 2 years

‘Urgent’ safety recall leaves couple with dangerous Dodge truck for nearly 2 years

When the recall notice came in the mail, Michele Ashenden and her husband Vittorio Pulcini knew it was serious. The words “Urgent Vehicle Recall” in red letters were sprawled at the top, along with a warning that a defective fuel pump on their truck could lead to sudden loss of power and a crash. Ashenden … Read more

Loblaw ending 50% discount on some food items raises concerns about anti-competitive behaviour

Loblaw ending 50% discount on some food items raises concerns about anti-competitive behaviour

The revelation that Loblaw will end its 50 per cent discount on perishable foods like meat, fruit and vegetables as they near their best-before dates should attract the attention of Canada’s Competition Bureau, says one industry expert.  Prof. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-food Analytics Lab, believes the action taken by the grocery chain to align its policy with other food retailers might be … Read more

The U.S. is heading for a momentous vote. Canada’s ambassador says we have to be ready

The U.S. is heading for a momentous vote. Canada’s ambassador says we have to be ready

Canada’s ambassador to the United States says Ottawa must take concrete steps to prepare for the outcome of this fall’s pivotal presidential election, which could see Donald Trump returned to power. In an interview with CBC News on Saturday ahead of a Canadian cabinet retreat in Montreal — where she will brief ministers — Kirsten Hillman said … Read more