National Business
Pilots talking strike as labour dispute escalates
MONTREAL — Air Canada headed closer to another possible labour disruption Thursday after its pilots began a strike vote in response to what they said was a “rigid” company position that appeared aimed at escalating their contract dispute.
A strike mandate after the schedule five days of voting would put the airline’s 3,000 pilots in a legal strike position early on Feb. 17, or 72 hours after the end of a legally manadatory cooling off period. READ
Internet service providers not broadcasters: top court
Internet service providers should not be treated as broadcasters under the law, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed Thursday. READ
Watchdog clears State Department of impropriety in Keystone pipeline review
WASHINGTON — The State Department’s internal watchdog cleared the agency Thursday of any impropriety in its review of a permit for a controversial pipeline that would carry oil produced from Alberta’s oilsands to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast. READ
Shoppers boosts dividend, gives rosy outlook
TORONTO — Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (TSX:SC) gave a rosy outlook and raised its dividend Thursday after reporting strong sales of non-pharmacy items as the retailer works to reduce its reliance on prescription sales. READ
Canadian Tire sales jump 21%
TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) revenues jumped 21 per cent in its fourth quarter, boosted by strong retail sales in the holiday shopping season despite unseasonably warm weather. READ
Air Canada headed for threat of labour disruption
MONTREAL — Air Canada headed closer to another possible labour disruption Thursday after its pilots began a strike vote in response to what they said was a “rigid” company position that appeared aimed at escalating their contract dispute. READ
Canadians paring down debt but not racking up savings
The Royal Bank says Canadians are managing to pay down their debts but most haven’t got any savings set aside for a rainy day. READ
Investment protection deal with China a historic step forward: PM
The conclusion of 18 years of talks with the Chinese for an investment protection deal marks a historic step forward in Canada-China relations, the prime minister said Wednesday. READ
Canadian airlines adopt early all-in ad pricing to ease shopping comparisons
MONTREAL — Canada’s largest airlines have all launched all-inclusive pricing efforts that make it easier for passengers to determine the actual cost of flying. READ
Profits, higher salaries at heart of price gap with U.S.: manufacturers
There are many reasons why retailers charge consumers more in Canada than they do in the United States, but one is simply that they can, witnesses told a Senate committee Tuesday. READ
Retail profits, higher salaries at heart of price gap with U.S.: manufacturers
OTTAWA — There are many reasons why retailers charge consumers more in Canada than they do in the United States, but one is simply that they can, witnesses told a Senate committee Tuesday. READ
Walmart Canada to spend $750 million this year on new, remodelled stores
TORONTO — Walmart Canada plans to spend more than $750 million this year to open, relocate or remodel 73 retail stores, including former Zellers locations. READ
RIM up against ’bring your own device’ trend in workplace where it dominated
Energy services giant Halliburton Co.’s move to replace BlackBerry smartphones with Apple’s iPhones continues a trend that has been eating away at Research In Motion’s traditionally dominant position in the workplace, analysts said Tuesday. READ
OSC launches new insider trading probe; high-profile mining exec named
TORONTO — The Ontario Securities Commission has launched an insider trading probe involving a former employee of venerable Canadian investment bank GMP Securities. READ
Tweak immigration system to focus on job market: TD Bank
OTTAWA — The federal government could put the equivalent of 370,000 more people to work if it tweaked the immigration system to focus on the long-term needs of the job market, says a new report by Toronto-Dominion Bank. READ
Canada no longer leading the G7 in economic growth and job creation
It’s going to get harder for Prime Minister Harper and his ministers to keep boasting that Canada is No. 1 among economic rivals. READ
Traders watching earnings
Corporate Canada will be in focus this week as the earnings season starts to move into high gear amid a light calendar for economic news. READ
Waterloo standing by RIM
The markets may be hitting Research in Motion hard after its most recent restructuring, but the community considered synonymous with the BlackBerry isn’t letting bad news get it down. READ
TFSAs an option to RRSPs
The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) offers Canadians a significant opportunity to develop a tax free income and is another retirement planning option to the older and better-known Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). READ
Waterloo stands by RIM despite market turmoil
WATERLOO, Ont. — The markets may be hitting Research in Motion hard after its most recent restructuring, but the community considered synonymous with the BlackBerry isn’t letting bad news get it down. READ
