Business

People walk along Ste-Catherine Street in Montreal, Sunday, January 2, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. Some measures put in place by the Quebec government, including the closure of stores to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Statistics Canada says economy added 55,000 jobs in December, unemployment rate 5.9%

Numbers show lowest unemployment rate since before the pandemic

People walk along Ste-Catherine Street in Montreal, Sunday, January 2, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. Some measures put in place by the Quebec government, including the closure of stores to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A moviegoer steps into an auditorium at a Cineplex Movie Theatre in Toronto on Friday, July 16, 2021. Cineplex Inc. says it has temporarily laid off nearly 5,000 part-time employees because of mandated closures of its Ontario movie theatres.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Nearly 5,000 layoffs at Cineplex after Ontario closes movie theatres

Canada’s largest movie chain will get its employees back to work when restrictions are lifted

A moviegoer steps into an auditorium at a Cineplex Movie Theatre in Toronto on Friday, July 16, 2021. Cineplex Inc. says it has temporarily laid off nearly 5,000 part-time employees because of mandated closures of its Ontario movie theatres.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
In this Oct. 7, 2010, file photo, a Green Mountain Coffee single-serving brewing cup is seen in a Keurig machine in Montpelier, Vt. The Competition Bureau says Keurig Canada will pay a $3 million penalty in Canada for making false or misleading claims that its single-use K-cup pods can be recycled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toby Talbot, File

Keurig to pay $3 million fine for false, misleading claims on recycling of its K-CUPs

Keurig Canada has to change its packaging, publish notices about the changes

In this Oct. 7, 2010, file photo, a Green Mountain Coffee single-serving brewing cup is seen in a Keurig machine in Montpelier, Vt. The Competition Bureau says Keurig Canada will pay a $3 million penalty in Canada for making false or misleading claims that its single-use K-cup pods can be recycled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toby Talbot, File
A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, June, 12, 2018.  THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

Real estate board says Metro Vancouver home sales hit record in 2021

Sales in 2021 rose 42.2 per cent over previous year and smashed a sales volume record set in 2015

A real estate sign is pictured in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, June, 12, 2018.  THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward
Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had their second-best year ever in 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic left this country in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Top CEOs in Canada were paid at second-highest level ever during the pandemic

Country’s highest-paid CEOs earned an average of $10.9 million in 2020

Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had their second-best year ever in 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic left this country in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Houses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday May 16, 2018. Home sales in Metro Vancouver remain well below the 10 year average for the region but sellers continue to hold the upper hand as the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says demand for properties is steady but buyers have little to choose from. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. home values increase by 22% for 2022, biggest changes in single-family houses

Breaking down what homeowners can expect, region by region

Houses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday May 16, 2018. Home sales in Metro Vancouver remain well below the 10 year average for the region but sellers continue to hold the upper hand as the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says demand for properties is steady but buyers have little to choose from. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Blackberry logo located in the lobby of the company's B building in Waterloo, Ont. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Ryan

Many BlackBerry phones to stop working as company decommissions several services

Service dropped for BlackBerry 7.1 OS, BlackBerry 10 software, PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions

The Blackberry logo located in the lobby of the company's B building in Waterloo, Ont. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Ryan
Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem participates in a media availability at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Federal documents hint at sweeping economic impact from central bank ‘digital loonie’

Central bank met with federal officials over 2020 to gauge the implications of own cryptocurrency

Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem participates in a media availability at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. Canada Pension Plan contributions are going up again by more than originally planned, and the reason again lies with the unique impacts of the pandemic on the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

CPP premiums are getting a bigger bump than planned, here’s why

Like last year, contributions are going up again by more than originally planned

Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. Canada Pension Plan contributions are going up again by more than originally planned, and the reason again lies with the unique impacts of the pandemic on the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. Canadian business and labour groups are at odds over the preferred isolation times for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Business, labour groups divided over preferred COVID-19 isolation policies

U.S. CDC shortened isolation period to 5 days

A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. Canadian business and labour groups are at odds over the preferred isolation times for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A pedestrian walks past the TransAlta building in downtown Calgary, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

TransAlta completes conversion from coal to natural gas power in Canada

TransAlta will also close its Highvale thermal coal mine

A pedestrian walks past the TransAlta building in downtown Calgary, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)

B.C. old-growth forest preservation plan off to a slow start for 2022

Canfor buys Alberta sawmills, sends harsh message to NDP

Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)
Greenpeace activists stage a demonstration outside a bank in Toronto, as they protest major Canadian bank’s investment in fossil fuels, on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Banks offer big climate commitments in 2021, but key details are yet to come

Pressure is mounting as Canadians live through the very real effects of climate change

Greenpeace activists stage a demonstration outside a bank in Toronto, as they protest major Canadian bank’s investment in fossil fuels, on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Credit cards are displayed in Montreal, Wednesday, December 12, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Feds still plan to act on credit card fees as merchants worry over pandemic delays

Business associations said they’re looking for federal action to ease costs

Credit cards are displayed in Montreal, Wednesday, December 12, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Gift cards rule retail as B.C.’s mall shops work around supply chain issues

Shopping anywhere is a boutique experience right now, says Victoria mall general manager

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Candy canes and music boxes stand on a holiday display in a Lowe's store Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Northglenn, Colo. Candy canes and other festive sweets are harder to find this year due to supply chain challenges affecting the food industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-AP/David Zalubowski

Candy cane sellers, chocolate makers hit with holiday supply chain challenges

Candy makers have been having trouble sourcing everything from sugar and cocoa to packaging supplies

Candy canes and music boxes stand on a holiday display in a Lowe's store Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Northglenn, Colo. Candy canes and other festive sweets are harder to find this year due to supply chain challenges affecting the food industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-AP/David Zalubowski
Economic Development Minister, International Trade Minister and Small Business and Export Promotion Minister Mary Ng rises during Question Period, Monday, December 6, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals kick-start trade pact challenge to U.S. duties slapped on softwood lumber

Canada has been successful in previous challenges under the North American Free Trade Agreement

Economic Development Minister, International Trade Minister and Small Business and Export Promotion Minister Mary Ng rises during Question Period, Monday, December 6, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Conservative member of Parliament Tom Kmiec rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 26, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals, Tories co-operate on extending leave for grieving parents

Parts of Tory MP Tom Kmiec’s private members bill will be incorporated into Liberal legislation

Conservative member of Parliament Tom Kmiec rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 26, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Construction workers stand in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway where a massive section of the separate southbound lanes was washed away by flooding last month near Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on December 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coquihalla Highway reopening a major boost for B.C.’s battered supply chain

Crews repaired and patched about 20 stretches of the highway over 130 kilometres

Construction workers stand in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway where a massive section of the separate southbound lanes was washed away by flooding last month near Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on December 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland adjusts her notes during a joint news conference in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Business is up heading into 2022, but so too are worries about paying off COVID debt

Report last month found that 15.1% businesses expected to have ‘major challenges’ repaying government aid

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland adjusts her notes during a joint news conference in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang