National Business

Small cellphone players want space set aside for them

MONTREAL — Wind Mobile and Public Mobile — two of Canada’s smallest cellphone companies — are threatening to sit out the next federal auction of radio waves needed to expand their wireless networks if space isn’t set aside for new players like themselves.

“We’re not suicidal,” Wind Mobile’s Anthony Lacavera said. “We’re not going to go out and try to bid on something we have zero chance of winning.” READ

Travel abroad highest in 18 years: StatsCan

Statistics Canada says Canadians made 5.1 million trips outside the country in December, up 1.5 per cent from November. READ

Consider both RRSPs and TFSAs

Do I put money into my RRSP (registered retirement savings plan) or my TFSA (tax free savings account)? READ

Inflation hike unlikely to impact interest rates

OTTAWA — A one-month pop in gasoline prices propelled Canada’s annual inflation rate up two notches to 2.5 per cent in January, reversing a recent trend toward moderating consumer price increases. READ

Economic hit expected

Canadian economic growth could be shaved by a third of a percentage point in the current quarter by the shutdown of a major oilsands project in northern Alberta, says an economic report by CIBC. READ

Canada-China trade expansion will be good for U.S.: envoy

The U.S. ambassador to Canada says he’s not worried about the impact of any energy agreements between Canada and China. READ

Oilsands shutdown could squeeze GDP growth, says CIBC report

Canadian economic growth could be shaved by a third of a percentage point in the current quarter by the shutdown of a major oilsands project in northern Alberta, says an economic report by CIBC. The big bank s READ

Canada-China trade expansion will be good for U.S.: envoy

MONTREAL — The U.S. ambassador to Canada says he’s not worried about the impact of any energy agreements between Canada and China. READ

Ontario must be scared into austerity: report

TORONTO — Bigger class sizes, higher utility bills, and fewer hospitals are among the bitter pills deficit-ridden Ontario must swallow to avoid the same fate as debt-plagued Greece, economist Don Drummond warned Wednesday. READ

Drop in home sales suggests market slowdown imminent

Canadian home sales posted their biggest monthly decline in a year-and-a-half in January, suggesting the long-expected market slowdown may finally be on its way. READ

‘Volcker rule’ overreaches

Canada is launching a full-court press in an attempt to prevent the United States from passing new bank reforms that may impact Canadian investors, financial markets and the economy. READ

Earnings in spotlight

Traders will be looking to another heavy slate of earnings from corporate Canada this week, with results largely concentrated in the financial, mining and energy sectors — the three main components of the Toronto stock market. READ

B.C. First Nation reviews its Enbridge deal

A second British Columbia First Nation says it has signed on to a sharing agreement with Enbridge Inc., (TSX:ENB) in exchange for its support for the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, but just as the first deal was nullified after an internal fight, this second one, too, appears in jeopardy after the chief that signed the agreement was turfed and a new band council looks at whether they can get out of it. READ

The impact of divorce on RRSPs

Regrettably, divorce is becoming an all too commonplace event in Canadian society. READ

Earnings in spotlight again

Traders will be looking to another heavy slate of earnings from corporate Canada this week, with results largely concentrated in the financial, mining and energy sectors — the three main components of the Toronto stock market. READ

B.C. First Nation reviews its Enbridge deal

VICTORIA — A second British Columbia First Nation says it has signed on to a sharing agreement with Enbridge Inc., (TSX:ENB) in exchange for its support for the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, but just as the first deal was nullified after an internal fight, this second one, too, appears in jeopardy after the chief that signed the agreement was turfed and a new band council looks at whether they can get out of it. READ

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight dispatchers

MONTREAL, Que. — Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association, representing the airline’s 74 flight dispatchers. READ

Air Canada reaches deal with machinists

MONTREAL — Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) has reached a tentative agreement with its 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers, and cargo agents — the carrier’s biggest union. READ

CN board votes to cancel Harrison’s pension

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. (TSX:CNR) is cancelling almost $40 million in future pension and other benefit payments to retired CEO Hunter Harrison, who has said he wants to take the top job at rival Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. READ

Dismissing free trade with China ‘foolish’ say analysts

OTTAWA — The Harper government would be “foolish” not to pursue a free trade agreement with China, despite the political differences between the two countries, says the head of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. READ

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