Business

Statistics Canada is set to release its January consumer price index report on Tuesday and forecasters expect Canada’s inflation rate fell. A customer browses an aisle at a Metro grocery store In Toronto on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Housing still ‘thorn’ in Bank of Canada’s side: economists

As high borrowing costs cause consumers to pull back on spending, inflation is expected to inch closer to two per cent

Statistics Canada is set to release its January consumer price index report on Tuesday and forecasters expect Canada’s inflation rate fell. A customer browses an aisle at a Metro grocery store In Toronto on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
FILE - A Microsoft Xbox Series X video game console is seen, on Dec. 7, 2021, in Marple Township, Pa. One small step for an intrepid crew of 24th century space explorers could be a giant leap — or flop — for Microsoft when the Xbox-maker launches its long-awaited video game Starfield. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Microsoft is making 4 exclusive Xbox video games available to rival consoles

Several exclusive Xbox games will be soon making their way to rival…

FILE - A Microsoft Xbox Series X video game console is seen, on Dec. 7, 2021, in Marple Township, Pa. One small step for an intrepid crew of 24th century space explorers could be a giant leap — or flop — for Microsoft when the Xbox-maker launches its long-awaited video game Starfield. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Softwood lumber is pictured along the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Fibre access feeds concern as B.C. forestry firm posts US$153M loss

West Fraser Timber encouraged by overall outlook despite ongoing B.C. challenges: CEO

Softwood lumber is pictured along the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C.’s economy grew by just 0.9 per cent in 2023 and is forecast to grow only 0.7 per cent in 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The mayor of Delta, B.C., calls the lack of communication from FortisBC “an egregious oversight” after the utility company failed to notify the public for more than four hours after a gas leak at a renewable gas plant. British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Lacklustre economic growth expected in B.C. this year: report

Combination of local and global factors adds up to a forecast of 0.7% economic increase

B.C.’s economy grew by just 0.9 per cent in 2023 and is forecast to grow only 0.7 per cent in 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The mayor of Delta, B.C., calls the lack of communication from FortisBC “an egregious oversight” after the utility company failed to notify the public for more than four hours after a gas leak at a renewable gas plant. British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, a ride share car displays Lyft and Uber stickers on its front windshield in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of U.S. ride-hailing workers plan to park their cars and picket at major U.S. airports Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in what organizers say is their largest strike yet in a drive for better pay and benefits. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Delivery, ride service job action targets date night in US, UK

Valentine’s Day work stoppage could be prelude to more as workers lobby for better pay, conditions

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, a ride share car displays Lyft and Uber stickers on its front windshield in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of U.S. ride-hailing workers plan to park their cars and picket at major U.S. airports Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in what organizers say is their largest strike yet in a drive for better pay and benefits. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Flickr/oatsy40

Coal exports boom to 8-year high despite Canada’s talk of ban

NDP to move bill calling for halt to the practice as Canadian output jumps 60 per cent

Flickr/oatsy40
Vitamin-rich microgreens are proving a popular crop for new generations of farmers in the North Okanagan-Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Popular micro-green superfood takes root, sprouts new farms in B.C. Interior

Nutrient-rich greens can be grown indoors year-round at high speeds and yields

Vitamin-rich microgreens are proving a popular crop for new generations of farmers in the North Okanagan-Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. The fallout from a mid-flight panel blowout on a Boeing Co.-made plane last month has reached Canada, as WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of aircraft deliveries.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Blowout grounds WestJet plans to acquire multiple new Boeing planes

Production expansion at Boeing halted until safety concerns sufficiently addressed

A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. The fallout from a mid-flight panel blowout on a Boeing Co.-made plane last month has reached Canada, as WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of aircraft deliveries.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A non-profit organization in British Columbia says it has asked Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate athletic-wear giant Lululemon, arguing the company is misleading customers about its environmental impacts. The Lululemon logo is seen on a wall at the company’s headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, May 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Environmental group accuses B.C.’s Lululemon of greenwashing

Stand.earth says clothing firm’s records don’t reflect marketing, wants competition bureau probe

A non-profit organization in British Columbia says it has asked Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate athletic-wear giant Lululemon, arguing the company is misleading customers about its environmental impacts. The Lululemon logo is seen on a wall at the company’s headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, May 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill after Bell Media announces job cuts, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

B.C.-based Vista promises no layoffs after buying 21 Bell radio stations

Pledge comes as politicians slam Bell Media for slashing after being granted $40M in relief

Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill after Bell Media announces job cuts, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
The Canfor Vavenby mill shut down in summer 2019. (File photo)

Canfor selling northeastern B.C. pulp mill for $7M

Firm says Taylor mill near Fort St. John being purchased be buyers committed to repurposing site

The Canfor Vavenby mill shut down in summer 2019. (File photo)
Bell Canada head office is seen on Nun’s Island, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Bell Canada head office is seen on Nun’s Island, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Radio tuning to Vista as Bell broadcasts sell-off of 21 B.C. stations

Move part of Bell national restructuring that includes sale of 45 stations and loss of 4,800 jobs

Bell Canada head office is seen on Nun’s Island, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Bell Canada head office is seen on Nun’s Island, Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
This image provided by Pringles shows the Pringles 2024 Super Bowl NFL football spot. (Pringles via AP)

Advertisers jumping the kickoff with sneak peeks of their Super Bowl ads

At $7M for a 30-second spot, companies trying to maximize return on investment

This image provided by Pringles shows the Pringles 2024 Super Bowl NFL football spot. (Pringles via AP)
Former Prince George councillor Cameron Stolz has purchased the city’s only newspaper after watching multiple outlets in other British Columbia Interior communities shut down last year. Stolz is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Prince George Citizen

Prince George newspaper bought by former city councillor

‘I do believe firmly that there is a need for local news for communities’

Former Prince George councillor Cameron Stolz has purchased the city’s only newspaper after watching multiple outlets in other British Columbia Interior communities shut down last year. Stolz is seen in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Prince George Citizen
Imperial Oil Ltd. raised its quarterly dividend by 20 per cent as it reported a fourth-quarter profit of $1.37 billion, down from $1.73 billion a year earlier. An Imperial Oil logo is shown at the company’s annual meeting in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Imperial Oil breaking production records as industry awaits Trans Mountain completion

Imperial has been working for some time to improve productivity and lower costs

Imperial Oil Ltd. raised its quarterly dividend by 20 per cent as it reported a fourth-quarter profit of $1.37 billion, down from $1.73 billion a year earlier. An Imperial Oil logo is shown at the company’s annual meeting in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
An Indigo bookstore is seen Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in Laval, Que. Shares of Indigo Books & Music Inc. were up more than 50 per cent in early trading after it received a proposal to take the retailer private from a pair of companies owned by controlling shareholder Gerald Schwartz. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Proposal to take Indigo private would lower scrutiny, boost flexibility: experts

The company has spent the bulk of the last year recovering from a major cyberattack, coping with a succession

An Indigo bookstore is seen Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in Laval, Que. Shares of Indigo Books & Music Inc. were up more than 50 per cent in early trading after it received a proposal to take the retailer private from a pair of companies owned by controlling shareholder Gerald Schwartz. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A truck loaded with logs travels down Highway 20 past the Tolko Industries Ltd. Lakeview Division log yard during the second week in March 2023. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Shift idled at Williams Lake mill as rough run continues for B.C. forestry

Tolko’s Lakeview mill drops to one 50-hour shift per week, affecting 60 workers, fibre supply cited

A truck loaded with logs travels down Highway 20 past the Tolko Industries Ltd. Lakeview Division log yard during the second week in March 2023. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
An employee walks across the lumber yard at Ledwidge Lumber Co. in Halifax on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. The federal government is lashing out at the U.S. Commerce Department over plans to raise duties on Canadian softwood lumber. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

U.S. softwood duties going up, along with Canada’s displeasure

Canada’s trade minister calls pending hike ‘disappointing and entirely unwarranted’

An employee walks across the lumber yard at Ledwidge Lumber Co. in Halifax on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. The federal government is lashing out at the U.S. Commerce Department over plans to raise duties on Canadian softwood lumber. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
(Black Press file photo)

Alberta uncorks wine flex that leaves B.C. vintners feeling sour

Alberta liquor branch threatens not stocking B.C product from wineries selling directly to consumers

(Black Press file photo)
File - TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew waves as he attends the Paris Peace Forum, in Paris, Nov. 10, 2023. The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday about child safety on their platforms. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool via AP, File)

Child exploitation probe calls social media CEOs before U.S. senate

Leaders of Meta, TikTok and other firms asked to respond to concerns about their effect on youth

File - TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew waves as he attends the Paris Peace Forum, in Paris, Nov. 10, 2023. The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday about child safety on their platforms. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool via AP, File)