the-market

Loblaws, Sobeys owners under investigation by Competition Bureau for alleged anti-competitive conduct

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Loblaws, Sobeys owners under investigation by Competition Bureau for alleged anti-competitive conduct

Canada’s Competition Bureau has launched investigations into the parent companies of grocery chains Loblaws and Sobeys for alleged anti-competitive conduct, court documents reveal, with Sobeys’ owner calling the inquiry “unlawful.” The Federal Court documents show the commissioner of competition launched the probes on March 1, saying there’s reason to believe the firms’ use of so-called … Read more

Corporations are buying local vet clinics — raising questions about price, choice and quality of care

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Corporations are buying local vet clinics — raising questions about price, choice and quality of care

Dr. Ryan Redgrave isn’t a dying breed, but his kind aren’t as common as they once were.  You see, Redgrave is an independent vet.  “It’s a busy job in and of itself,” he said, “and the running of a small business is challenging.” Redgrave owns Weste Animal Hospital in Lawrencetown, N.S., near Halifax.   After working … Read more

Quebec to force gas stations to report their prices. Will it lower fuel costs?

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Quebec to force gas stations to report their prices. Will it lower fuel costs?

Quebec wants to boost transparency around gas prices. The province will force gas stations to report their prices to the government, and it’s going to publish them online.  Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec’s economy minister, made the announcement on Thursday as he revealed a government-commissioned study that recommended making some changes to how Quebec regulates gas stations.  The … Read more

Minister suggests Canada is considering tariffs on Chinese EVs following U.S. move

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Minister suggests Canada is considering tariffs on Chinese EVs following U.S. move

Canada’s industry minister says Ottawa is “considering all measures” after the U.S. announced it would be hiking tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other related goods. François-Philippe Champagne wouldn’t rule out Canada imposing similar tariffs during an interview with CBC News Network’s Power & Politics on Friday. “It’s fair to say that everything is on the … Read more

Home sales and new home construction both drop in April

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Home sales and new home construction both drop in April

The annual rate of housing starts in Canada fell slightly by one per cent compared with March 2024, while the number of residential home sales dropped in the same period of time, according to separate sets of numbers released today by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Canadian Real Estate Association. The CMHC, … Read more

‘Roaring Kitty’ returns, sending meme stocks like GameStop surging once again

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‘Roaring Kitty’ returns, sending meme stocks like GameStop surging once again

The man at the centre of the pandemic meme stock craze appeared online for the first time in three years, sending the prices of three quirky and volatile shares sharply higher Monday. Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” posted an image Sunday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, of a man sitting … Read more

Flair Airlines CEO bullish on future of discount airlines. Others aren’t so sure

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Flair Airlines CEO bullish on future of discount airlines. Others aren’t so sure

With Swoop folded into WestJet and Lynx folded altogether, Edmonton-based Flair Airlines has emerged as the only ultra-low cost carrier left standing in Canada.  Is CEO Stephen Jones nervous? “Not at all, we’re going to have a great summer,” said Jones, speaking to CBC News on the sidelines of the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in … Read more

Is the Loblaw boycott privileged? Here’s why some people aren’t shopping around

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Is the Loblaw boycott privileged? Here’s why some people aren’t shopping around

Location. Costs. Time and convenience. There are many reasons that people aren’t participating in the Loblaw boycott, a movement fuelled by customers fed up with high prices at the grocery retailer. The boycott was started by a Reddit group with about 70,000 members called “Loblaws is out of control.” It calls for shoppers to avoid the retailer’s Loblaws stores, along with its offshoot … Read more

Trans Mountain pipeline ushers in new economic era for Fort McMurray

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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

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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