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☆ Canada Revenue Agency investigating 600 employees over pandemic benefits -Globe and Mail
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

June 30 (Reuters) - The Canada Revenue Agency is investigating about 600 of its employees in a review of cases in which workers may have inappropriately received pandemic benefits payments, the Globe and Mail said on Friday. Twenty employees are no longer with the tax agency and more may depart, the newspaper quoted the CRA as saying. The CRA said 600 employees represent less than 1% of its total workforce, according to the paper. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was rolled out in 2020 to offer broad support to millions of Canadians who lost their jobs amid coronavirus shutdowns. Reporting by Bharat Govind Gautam in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Globe and Mail, Bharat Govind Gautam, William Mallard, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Canada Revenue Agency, Globe and, CRA, Thomson Locations: Canada, Bengaluru

☆ Canada Says It Will Expel Chinese Diplomat Amid Influence Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Yonette Joseph | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Canada said on Monday it was expelling a Chinese diplomat amid reports he had been intimidating and gathering information on a Canadian lawmaker who had been critical of Beijing’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority, a decision likely to increase tensions between Beijing and Ottawa. Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, said in a statement that the diplomat, Zhao Wei, had been declared “persona non grata.” Ms. Joly said the decision has been taken “after careful consideration of all factors at play.”“Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behavior, they will be sent home,” she added. “We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference.”Allegations of election interference have rocked Canada in recent months. The Globe and Mail newspaper and other prominent Canadian news organizations have published a series of leaked intelligence reports accusing the Chinese government and its diplomats in Canada of trying manipulate the last two elections to ensure that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party won.

OTTAWA, May 8 (Reuters) - Canada on Monday expelled Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei after an intelligence report accused him of trying to target a Canadian lawmaker critical of China's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority. The expulsion escalates already tense Sino-Canadian relations and is likely to prompt China, Canada's second-largest trading partner, to respond. China's embassy in Ottawa said it condemns the expulsion, and that it has formally protested the move to the government. China's Toronto consulate-general said the report on Chong has "no factual basis and is purely baseless." Trudeau said he found out about the intelligence report from the newspaper, and on Wednesday blamed the spy agency for not passing it onto him at the time.

CNN —Canada decided to expel a Chinese diplomat on Monday, following an uproar in the country over allegations of political meddling, which Beijing has fiercely denied. “Canada has decided to declare persona non grata Mr. Zhao Wei,” read a statement by Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. The intelligence service also said that Beijing had tried to sway the outcome of Canada’s federal elections in 2019 and 2021. Chong himself has focused much of his criticism on Trudeau’s government, which he says was too slow to act. Last week, Joly previewed the possibility of retaliatory action against China, but warned that Canada needed to carefully weigh how China might react.

☆ Did China Help Vancouver’s Mayor Win Election?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Dan Bilefsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Every day when he arrives at his office in City Hall, Mayor Ken Sim stares at a prominent black-and-white photograph of Chinese railway workers toiling on the tracks in British Columbia in 1884. Mr. Sim, the son of Hong Kong immigrants, said the workers’ weathered faces are a daily reminder of the symbolic importance of his election as Vancouver’s first Chinese Canadian mayor, and of just how far Chinese Canadians have come. Six months ago, his historic landslide victory was widely lauded, viewed as the triumph of a politically adroit change-maker whose centrist policies had swept him to power. But since February, the Globe and Mail newspaper in Toronto has cited classified intelligence reports in describing an effort by Beijing to manipulate Canadian elections, including those in Vancouver, raising questions about whether China played a role in his win. Across Canada, a political storm is raging over the intelligence reports, which have not been made public by Canada’s national intelligence agency but are said to conclude that the government of China and its diplomats wanted to ensure victory for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party in the two most recent federal elections, while encouraging wins for some candidates of Chinese descent.

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA, May 4 (Reuters) - China sharply criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comment that linked Chinese-produced lithium to slave labor, and warned Canada could face consequences if it continues "denigrating maliciously" the human rights situation in China. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this," the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said in a statement late on Wednesday. The embassy accused Trudeau of "political manipulation under the pretext of human rights" and seeking to undermine China. "The Canadian side should respect facts, set aside prejudice, and stop denigrating maliciously the human rights situation in China, otherwise Canada will certainly take the consequences." Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Canada summons Chinese ambassador over allegations of political interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Paula Newton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Ottawa CNN —Canada summoned China’s ambassador on Wednesday to respond to allegations of political interference and intimidation. However, she admitted Canada’s government was carefully weighing the possibility of retaliation by China, which denies interfering in Canadian political affairs. CNN asked China’s foreign ministry about the allegations, specifically the accusations made by CSIS about political interference and attempts at intimidation made by a Chinese diplomat. “China always opposes any country’s interference in other countries internal affairs. We have never had and have no interest in interfering in Canada’s internal affairs.

☆ Canada's spy agency withheld information about China's threats to lawmaker, Trudeau says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OTTAWA, May 3 (Reuters) - Canada's spy agency withheld information about Chinese threats against a Canadian lawmaker and his family in 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday, adding that he had told the agency that in the future such threats must be revealed immediately. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had determined that information about the threats against Michael Chong, a member of parliament with Canada's main opposition Conservative party, were not concerning enough to inform him, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. Trudeau has previously said China attempted to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 votes, but did not change the outcome. On Wednesday, Trudeau said he learned about the threats against Chong from the Globe report and upon enquiring about it, found out that CSIS had decided to withhold information. Chong was sanctioned by Beijing in 2021 after his motion passed the Canadian parliament declaring China's treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority genocide.

☆ A Canadian woman who revived a candy bar as a side hustle had to give 133,000 away for free
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Canadian woman had to give away 133,000 candy bars for free, reports say. Crystal Regehr Westergard was bombarded with the candy, which had an expiry date of June this year. Crystal Regehr Westergard, a physiotherapist, started a candy company as a side hustle in 2018 to bring back old favorites that had long ceased production. Through her company Canadian Candy Nostalgia, Westergard first brought back Cuban Lunch, a candy dating back to the Second World War. She's struggled to give away the retro candy bars, even for free.

☆ Teck's base metals business attracts offers from Freeport, Vale, Anglo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Mrinmay Dey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

These approaches from international miners come as the Vancouver-based miner is fending off unsolicited bids from Glencore Plc (GLEN.L). Freeport, Vale and Anglo American declined to comment. Teck investors will decide on the Canadian miner's restructuring plan on April 26. Influential proxy advisor Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) on Thursday advised shareholders to reject Teck's restructuring plan on uncertainties and structural issues. The Globe and Mail first reported interest in Teck's base metals business.

☆ Teck approached by other companies while fending off Glencore offers -Globe and Mail
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A vote on Teck's plan to fully separate the copper and zinc business Teck Metals from the steelmaking coal Elk Valley business is scheduled on April 26. These approaches from international miners come as the Vancouver-based miner is fending off unsolicited bids from Glencore Plc (GLEN.L) that would involve combining and spinning off the thermal and steelmaking coal businesses of both companies. The Swiss mining company has offered Teck shareholders 24% of the combined metals group and up to $8.2 billion in cash for those who may not want exposure to thermal coal. Two proxy shareholder advisory firms have recommended that Teck Resources shareholders vote against the planned split. On Saturday, Bloomberg News reported that Glass Lewis also asked Teck Resources shareholders to vote against Teck's plan to spin off its coal business.

☆ Take a look back at 24 Sussex Drive, the iconic residency of the Canadian PM now abandoned and overrun with rodents
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, is in total disrepair. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien meets with Premiers and Territorial leaders Chretien's residence in Ottawa, February 4, 2003. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin (L) holds a First Ministers' meeting at his official residence in Ottawa, January 30, 2004. Conservative leader and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper reacts in between songs while practicing with his band "Herringbone" at 24 Sussex Drive, Harper's official residence, in Ottawa April 22, 2011. Since taking his post as head of state, prime minister Trudeau has opted to live in Rideau Cottage, just less than a mile away from 24 Sussex Drive.

☆ Blue Jays slam five homers to beat Tigers 9-3 in home opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Apr 11, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (26) hits a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at the Rogers Centre. While work continues on both the team and stadium the early reviews are positive, the Blue Jays living up to their explosive reputation with a home opener record five homers that underscores their status as World Series contender. 'Take me out to the ball game' can still be heard at every ball park but vendors shouting out, "peanuts , cracker jacks" not so much. You do not even need to be that interested in baseball, said Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro, adding the ball park can just be a place to go. The Tigers' Nick Maton hit a three-run second inning homer but the Blue Jays hit back in the bottom of the inning, Kirk answering with an RBI double.

☆ Canadian entrepreneur Lassonde plans to buy blocking stake in Teck's Elk Valley, Globe and Mail reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 8 (Reuters) - Canadian entrepreneur Pierre Lassonde is planning to buy a blocking stake in Elk Valley Resources, the steel-making coal unit to be spun off by Teck Resources Ltd (TECKb.TO), the Globe and Mail reported. In an interview with the Canadian newspaper published on Friday, Lassonde expressed his interest in the soon-to-be divested unit of Teck, saying he wanted the company's assets to "remain Canadian." Teck Resources could not be reached immediately for comment. Under terms of a deal offered previously by minority shareholder Nippon Steel, the Elk Valley unit will have an enterprise value of C$11.5 billion. Teck Resources in February said it will receive an 87.5% interest in gross revenue royalty from the steel-making coal business through the transition period.

☆ Ukraine PM to visit Canada in coming weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 7 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is planning to visit Canada in the coming weeks, a spokesperson for the Canadian Prime Minister told Reuters on Friday. Ukraine is expected to launch a counter-offensive to seize back land in the south and east of the country from Russian forces in the coming weeks or months. The Ukrainian premier was quoted by the Globe as saying Ukraine would also like Canada to offer war risk insurance to Canadian companies investing in Ukraine to support reconstruction and foreign investment. "So if a Canadian company will decide to invest money into Ukraine, we will ask the Canadian government to create some mechanism to support Canadian investments," he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government has been one of Ukraine's most vocal international supporters and provided Kyiv with more than C$5 billion ($3.70 billion) in financial, military and other aid.

☆ 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' is set for a big opening weekend — despite bad reviews
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In this article 7974.T-JP Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTChris Pratt and Charlie Day voice Mario and Luigi in Universal and Illumination's "The Super Mario Bros. Universal"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" isn't looking like a smash with the critics. And box office analysts don't foresee poor critical reviews deterring moviegoers, particularly families, from venturing to the cinema to see "The Super Mario Bros. Jack Black voices the villainous Bowser in Universal and Illumination's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" UniversalRadheyan Simonpillai, Globe and MailLong before critics sat down to watch "Super Mario Bros.," there was a big question about the film's top-billed voice actor — Chris Pratt. "I wonder whether the filmmakers were too timid to draw outside the lines with this copyright protected material, lest they end up with something like the disastrous live-action 1993 movie, 'Super Mario Bros.,'" he said.

☆ Canada's decision on Rogers-Shaw deal may come on Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne is set to rule on Rogers Communications Inc’s C$20 billion ($15 billion) deal to buy Shaw Communications Inc on Friday, The Globe and Mail reported on Thursday, citing two sources. FILE PHOTO: Ethernet cables are seen in front of Rogers and Shaw Communications logos in this illustration taken, July 8, 2022. The announcement relates to the minister’s review of the takeover deal, The Globe and Mail reported. Both Rogers and Shaw did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report. Champagne’s approval is needed to transfer spectrum licenses of Freedom Mobile unit to Quebecor’s Videotron.

☆ Canada's decision on Rogers-Shaw deal may come on Friday -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) -The Canadian government is set to announce on Friday a decision on Rogers Communications Inc’s C$20 billion ($15 billion) bid for Shaw Communications Inc, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. FILE PHOTO: Ethernet cables are seen in front of Rogers and Shaw Communications logos in this illustration taken, July 8, 2022. The announcement is about the government’s decision on whether to allow the transfer of Shaw’s wireless licences to Quebecor Inc’s Videotron Ltd., which has agreed to acquire Shaw’s Freedom Mobile wireless carrier for C$2.85 billion, the source told Reuters. To address the issue, Rogers and Shaw agreed to sell Freedom Mobile to Quebecor, which is also expected to close by March 31. Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

☆ Canada set to approve Rogers takeover of Shaw with transfer -Globe and Mail
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 31 (Reuters) - Canada is set to approve on Friday a transfer of wireless licenses that will finally settle Rogers Communications Inc's (RCIb.TO) C$20 billion ($15 billion) bid for Shaw Communications Inc (SJRb.TO), the Globe and Mail reported. Rogers and Shaw agreed to sell Freedom Mobile to Quebecor for C$2.85 billion to win government approval for the merger. The minister will approve the transfer of Shaw's licenses to Quebecor's Videotron Ltd with a number of conditions attached, as well as financial penalties associated with breaking those conditions, the Globe and Mail said. The sale of Freedom Mobile to Quebecor is expected to close by March 31. Rogers in February extended the deadline for the deal to March 31 for the fourth time, as the companies awaited the final nod from Champagne.

☆ Canada to ramp up clean-tech push in budget to level playing field with US
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In Canada, there's more pressure to step up green investments to level the playing field with the United States, which passed a series of massive incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) last year. Last week Freeland said Canada is at a "crucial crossroads" for the green transition and that it would be "reckless" not to make major investments in clean tech. But she has also said she does not want to fuel inflation and slowing growth means fiscal responsibility is warranted. The budget will also include an increase in federal healthcare spending promised earlier this year to the provinces, which administer the public health system. Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Banking giants Citi (C.N), Wells Fargo (WFC.N) and JP Morgan (JPM.N) were also 1%-3% higher in the pre-market. Japanese financial institutions have sufficient capital buffers to absorb losses caused by external factors, including risks caused by SVB's collapse, the Bank of Japan said. Traders currently see a 50% chance of no rate hike at that meeting, with rate cuts priced in for the second half of the year. The prospect of higher rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks", Ikeda added. We just ask for a little bit of time because of the volume," FDIC employee Luis Mayorga told waiting customers.

[1/2] Customers wait in line outside a branch of the Silicon Valley Bank in Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brian SnyderMarch 14 (Reuters) - Silicon Valley Bank's collapse continued to pound global bank stocks on Tuesday as investors fretted over the financial health of some lenders, despite assurances from U.S. President Joe Biden and other policymakers. The European banks index (.SX7P) fell 0.6% after posting its biggest percentage loss in more than a year on Monday. "Bank runs have started (and) interbank markets have become stressed," said Damien Boey, chief equity strategist at Sydney-based investment bank Barrenjoey. The prospect of higher interest rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks", Ikeda added.

"Bank runs have started (and) interbank markets have become stressed," said Damien Boey, chief equity strategist at Sydney-based investment bank Barrenjoey. A furious race to reprice interest rate expectations also buffeted markets as investors bet the Federal Reserve will be reluctant to hike next week. Traders currently see a 50% chance of no rate hike at that meeting, with rate cuts priced in for the second half of the year. The prospect of higher interest rates had been "the reason investors have been really excited about Japan bank stocks." After marathon weekend talks, HSBC HSBA.L said it was buying the British arm of SVB for one pound ($1.21).

☆ Canada's Trudeau denies report that Liberals told to drop candidate over China ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Chinese government preferred Han Dong, a Chinese Canadian, over another Chinese Canadian Liberal, who was passed over in favor of Han, said Global News, a national broadcaster, citing anonymous security sources in a story posted online. The article said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) urged Trudeau's "team" to rescind Han's candidacy. "Dong is an outstanding member of our team and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained," Trudeau told a news conference in Mississauga. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the Global report. Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Alistair Bell and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Canada says it thwarted recent air, maritime surveillance attempts by China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Canada is aware of recent air and maritime surveillance attempts by China and has thwarted such efforts since last year, the Canadian defense ministry said on Wednesday, after a newspaper reported Chinese floating devices were found in the Arctic in autumn. A spokesperson for Canada's defense ministry declined to provide details but said authorities were aware of Chinese surveillance attempts using dual purpose technologies, which can have both commercial and military applications. "The CAF are fully aware of recent efforts by China to conduct surveillance operations in Canadian airspace and maritime approaches," the spokesperson said, adding the forces had stopped attempts to surveil Canadian territory since 2022. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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