National Business
Technology will be key to conquering climate change
NEW YORK — Global warming will only be brought under control by deep international collaboration and intense investment in technology — not yelling on street corners, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says.
Harper was in New York all day Thursday, addressing an influential group of American academics at the Council on Foreign Relations and meeting separately with a tight-knit group of business leaders. READ
Election boosts pipeline chances
The re-election of British Columbia’s Liberal government means a pipeline from Alberta to Canada’s Pacific coast that would allow tankers to export oil to Asia now has a better chance of being built, a Canadian senator said Wednesday. READ
Harper to face grilling
When Stephen Harper takes the stage at a leading U.S. think-tank today to talk about Canada’s energy prospects, his pitch will more than likely mention that Canada is halfway towards meeting its greenhouse gas emissions target. READ
Wall pitches carbon capture tech to U.S.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says the province has game-changing carbon capture technology and he’s trying to sell the idea to the world. READ
Loblaw moves on plant safety
Loblaw Companies Ltd. (TSX:L) said Tuesday that it will sign a pact to improve fire and building safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of a factory in that country that killed more than 1,100 workers. READ
Flaherty discounts fears over housing
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is dismissing fears about Canada’s housing market, saying the current slowdown is welcome news and that there is no need for further government intervention. While some observers are expressing fears that a steep correction is underway that will bring down housing values and possibly affect bank credit ratings, Flaherty said Tuesday that he believes government mortgage tightening last July actually helped avert what could have turned into a housing bubble. READ
Saint John, N.B., mayor urges work on ‘in-between’ provinces
A New Brunswick mayor says it’s important that producers understand the advantages of a pipeline that would carry western crude oil to eastern refineries. Mel Norton of Saint John says he and other delegates have been in Alberta for the last couple of days talking about what’s been dubbed the Energy East pipeline. READ
Rona keeps network
Rona has decided not to sell its network of big box stores outside Quebec as the home renovation retailer attempts to build a turnaround by improving the customer experience, its new CEO said Tuesday. “If you have a happy customer that’s coming into your store and he’s leaving satisfied it helps to get him to come back,” Robert Sawyer, a former food retailing executive, said after speaking to shareholders for the first time. Sawyer said he plans to unveil his strategy next quarter, but the chain has decided not to sell its network of big box stores outside Quebec. READ
‘Made in the North’ oil pipeline promoted
The Northwest Territories is promoting the idea of a “made-in-the-North” oil pipeline as a means to get Canadian crude to international markets, bypassing jurisdictions that have been less than keen on such developments. READ
Conservatives boost resources ad spending to $16.5M, target U.S.
Ottawa is dramatically ramping up ad spending by Natural Resources Canada as the Conservatives take their environmental and natural resources fight directly to the American market. READ
Arctic moratorium demanded
growing number of Arctic aboriginals have called for a moratorium on energy development in the North in a statement that seeks an end to offshore drilling and a pause in northern energy projects unless local aboriginals consent. READ
BlackBerry focuses on cool factor
BlackBerry will pull out all the stops this week as the company welcomes thousands of industry players for BlackBerry Live, its annual three-day conference which promises to offer some perspective into its future. Chief executive Thorsten Heins will take the stage on Tuesday and is expected to deliver a keynote speech that could reveal a lower-priced version of its latest phone and some clues about whether the company plans to abandon tablet technology forever. READ
Mortgage rules may be tightened more
Canada Mortgage Trends says it has been notified that the national banking regulator is looking at a possible further tightening of mortgage rules — this time for those with low risk mortgages that don’t require government-backed insurance. READ
Business to have role in Arctic debates, says Aglukkaq
Creating a bigger presence for industry at the world’s premiere international forum on northern issues won’t distract from its work on environmental problems, says the Conservative cabinet minister about to lead the group. READ
Markets anxious for data
Investor attention will turn to a number of economic reports out of the U.S. this week as they look for signs the world’s largest economy is in fact on track with its recovery. READ
Ag issues stall trade deal
The Canada-European Union free trade talks are nearing an end with agriculture issues the last major stumbling block to an agreement both sides say will boost economic growth, the EU ambassador Matthias Brinkmann said Thursday. READ
Telus sees Netflix as opportunity
Instead of being viewed as only a threat, online movie service Netflix could be bundled in with TV packages, Telus CEO Darren Entwistle said Thursday. Telus has “no regrets” about not owning any media or broadcast assets to provide the telecommunications company with content for TV, smartphones and tablets, Entwistle said after the company’s annual meeting. READ
Fast insists EU talks making progress
Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fasts insisted Wednesday he is not worried about missed deadlines in free trade talks with Europe as negotiators wrapped up a scheduled three-day session in Brussels with no apparent deal. READ
Tim Hortons not making big changes
Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX:THI) has finally found a new leader nearly two years after the abrupt exit of its former CEO, but it doesn’t plan to make any sweeping changes in the short term, despite recent calls from an investor. READ
WestJet reports ’best ever’ profit
WestJet Airlines Ltd.’s “best ever” quarterly earnings were overshadowed Tuesday by a major stock drop, as investors worried whether the carrier will be able to profitably fill its new capacity. Shares fell as much as 13 per cent to $21.45 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, but by early afternoon had recovered to $22.55, 8.8 per cent lower than the previous close. READ
