WestJet issues lockout notice to mechanics’ union

WestJet has issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the union representing the Calgary-based airline’s mechanics. The notice paves the way for a work stoppage to begin on Tuesday. Last week, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents the carrier’s aircraft maintenance engineers, announced that members would begin taking a strike vote on May 2. … Read more

Canada Post lost $748 million last year, warns of ‘critical’ financial situation

Politics·New Canada Post warns its financial situation is so grim it could run out of operating money in less than a year, citing declining revenue and increased competition from private delivery companies. Crown corporation could run out of money in less than a year, cites declining revenue and stiff competition CBC News · Posted: May 03, 2024 … Read more

Canada’s biggest documentary festival says it’s dying. Documentarians worry they’re next

A misunderstood and mistreated killer whale. An investigation into the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and American gun culture at large. An inconvenient truth about the future of planet Earth in the face of devastating climate change. If you go by overwhelmingly successful films like Blackfish, Bowling for Columbine and An Inconvenient Truth, it might seem like documentaries are … Read more

With Bill 20, Danielle Smith sows fear and loathing (and confusion) in Alberta councils, big and small

It’s hard to get 260 Alberta municipal governments to agree on much, which is why their blanket organization seldom has anything provocative to say. What advocacy points can members as disparate as Calgary, Lethbridge, the town of Two Hills and the villages of Czar, Barons and Bawlf agree on? Safer fare, typically — suggestions that … Read more

London Drugs stores remain closed after ‘cybersecurity incident’

All London Drugs stores remained closed across Western Canada on Tuesday morning, two days after the B.C.-based company announced it was dealing with a “cybersecurity incident.” A statement issued by the company at 7:20 a.m. PT Tuesday said its stores “will remain temporarily closed … until further notice while continuing to provide customers with urgent pharmacy care.” … Read more

Trans Mountain pipeline ushers in new economic era for Fort McMurray

As the urban centre at the heart of Canada’s oilsands industry, Fort McMurray has seen more than its share of ups and downs. A decade and a half ago, the northern Alberta community was this country’s most famous boom town. High oil prices helped to drive unprecedented demand for the thick, viscous bitumen that lies … 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

Federal, provincial politicians leave door open to foreign workers’ involvement in Honda deal

Parties to the massive Honda EV investment deal reached this week have tacitly acknowledged that foreign workers will be involved in setting up the proposed auto plants, while attempting to downplay an issue already seized upon by the federal Conservatives. In response to questions throughout the week, federal officials, their provincial counterparts and executives for the … Read more

Feds give financial boost to biofuel sector amid growing U.S. competition

Canada’s biofuel industry is welcoming a proposed multi-billion dollar package of financial support from the federal government, although concerns remain about whether it will be enough to compete with lucrative subsidies south of the border and reverse the growing dependence on U.S. imports to meet clean fuel regulations. The federal government is committing $1.27 billion toward … Read more

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