2023 was a banner year for video games — and video game industry layoffs

2023 was a banner year for video games — and video game industry layoffs

The past calendar year has been a banner one for best-selling, critically acclaimed video games. Blockbuster titles like Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder headlined a year full of critically acclaimed games that sold tens of millions of copies. But behind the screens, the games industry has been in a dramatic … Read more

It’s not just a label for meat: halal investments target Islamic customers

It’s not just a label for meat: halal investments target Islamic customers

Whether it’s mutual funds, savings accounts or stock trading, millions of Canadians depend on investments for their financial future.  But for some Muslims, faith took many monetary options off the table because of religious restrictions around concepts like paying — or being paid — interest. It meant for years Canadians like Ammar Maqsud, who observes those religious tenets, couldn’t even put money in … Read more

Canada’s economy stalled again in October but likely up 0.1% in November

Canada’s economy stalled again in October but likely up 0.1% in November

Canada’s economy was essentially unchanged for the third consecutive month in October, missing growth forecasts, but gross domestic product likely edged up in November, Statistics Canada data showed on Friday. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.2 per cent month-over-month rise. September’s GDP was downwardly revised to zero growth from an initial report of … Read more

Freeland approves RBC’s $13.5B takeover of HSBC Canada with conditions

Freeland approves RBC’s .5B takeover of HSBC Canada with conditions

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has approved RBC’s $13.5-billion takeover of HSBC Canada, despite calls from opposition politicians and other groups to block it over concerns of reduced competition. Freeland’s approval was the last hurdle for the deal after the Competition Bureau approved it in September. The minister’s approval comes with conditions on RBC, including that … Read more

As Christmas tree farmers retire, who will take over?

As Christmas tree farmers retire, who will take over?

Brad Clements, 82, has been growing Christmas trees near Milton, Ont., since the 1980s but is getting ready to pack it in.  “We’re looking at closing it up in the next year or so, if not sooner,” said Clements, owner of Clembrook Christmas Farm.  Clements and his wife aren’t passing the business on to a … Read more

Outlook good for Canadian oil and gas sector, says industry report, but risks remain

Outlook good for Canadian oil and gas sector, says industry report, but risks remain

Canada’s upstream oil and gas industry and drilling services sector has a “very favourable” outlook for 2024, according to Enserva’s State of the Industry report released on Thursday. Key highlights of the report show that oil prices are expected to remain strong, demand will be robust, export capacity will increase, and investment and drilling activity are set … Read more

Ottawa expected to release promised EV sales regulations Tuesday

Ottawa expected to release promised EV sales regulations Tuesday

Automakers are set to get a jolt Tuesday when Ottawa unveils its promised electric vehicle regulations. CBC News has learned that Ottawa will release final regulations it says will ensure that all new passenger cars sold in Canada by 2035 are zero-emission vehicles, a senior government source said. The source — who was not authorized to speak publicly — … Read more

Canadian debt-to-income ratio narrowed slightly in third quarter, says StatsCan

Canadian debt-to-income ratio narrowed slightly in third quarter, says StatsCan

A report from Statistics Canada says that the ratio of Canadian household debt to income narrowed in the third quarter. The agency says household credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income in the third quarter fell to 181.6 per cent, on a seasonally adjusted basis, down from 181.9 per cent in the … Read more

National pharmacare plan is in limbo as health minister calls pending deadline ‘arbitrary’

National pharmacare plan is in limbo as health minister calls pending deadline ‘arbitrary’

Health Minister Mark Holland signalled Tuesday the government is unlikely to meet the end-of-the-year deadline imposed by the NDP for passing pharmacare legislation — a condition of the supply-and-confidence agreement that was struck to keep the Liberals in power until 2025. Holland said talks are ongoing with NDP MP Don Davies, the party’s health critic, … Read more