DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Bank of Canada seen leaving rates unchanged as growth stalls
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem holds a news conference at the Bank of Canada, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Ottawa, Canada, June 22, 2020. "We expect the Bank of Canada to be the first G10 central bank to hold rates," said Jay Zhao-Murray, a forex analyst at Monex Canada. Money markets expect the policy rate to be left on hold on Wednesday but are pricing in another tightening by September. "Look for the Bank of Canada to point to slowing GDP growth and inflation when justifying its decision to maintain the level of rates," said Royce Mendes and Tiago Figueiredo, Desjardins economists, in a note. "The central bank is unlikely to do much to endorse the view that further rate hikes will be necessary," they said.

☆ Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Ukraine opts to fight on in Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 11 (Reuters) - Ukraine has decided to fight on in the ruined city of Bakhmut because the battle there is pinning down Russia's best units and degrading them ahead of a planned Ukrainian spring counter-offensive, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. DIPLOMACY, WEAPONS* The European Union could soon top up the fund used for purchasing weapons for Ukraine by 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion), a senior EU official said on Friday. * The United States accused Russia on Friday of seeking to destabilize Moldova and said it would help the Eastern European country fight off such attempts by sharing information and providing other assistance, the White House said. * Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in India last week was "constructive", but he heard nothing new from the U.S. side. * Canada on Friday banned the import of all Russian aluminum and steel products in a move that Ottawa said was aimed at denying Moscow the ability to fund its war against Ukraine.

☆ Canada posts surprise January trade surplus of C$1.9 billion on export gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OTTAWA, March 8 (Reuters) - Canada recorded an unexpected trade surplus of C$1.9 billion ($1.38 billion) in January, driven by broad-based gains in exports, while imports posted a smaller increase led by motor vehicles and parts, Statistics Canada data showed on Wednesday. Statscan also revised December's trade figures to a surplus of C$1.2 billion from an initial C$160 million deficit. read moreTotal exports rose 4.2% in January on the back of gains in all product categories that more than offset a fall in energy products exports. By volume, total exports were up 5.3% in January. Imports increased 3.1% after two consecutive monthly declines, largely driven by motor vehicles and parts as well as industrial machinery, equipment and parts.

☆ Canada doesn't want 'tit-for-tat' with US on green transition -gov't source
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Countries across the globe are trying to take advantage of a rapid shift to low-carbon energy, and the passage in the United States of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) last year provides massive incentives for those who invest there. In the 2023-2024 budget, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has promised to try to level the playing field, at least in some areas, with the United States after the IRA. "It's about growing the pie, not just dividing it up," said the source familiar with the file, who was not authorized to speak on the record. "We don't want to get into a game of tit-for-tat," the source said. Reporting by Steve Scherer; editing by Denny Thomas and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ NHL roundup: Stars rally, but Flames pull out late win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar each collected two assists, and goalie Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves. Sharks 3, Jets 2 (OT)Logan Couture scored in overtime after assisting on Tomas Hertl's late game-tying goal as San Jose outlasted host Winnipeg. Senators goalie Mads Sogaard made 16 saves on 21 shots after being pressed into action when Cam Talbot was scratched due to a lower-body injury. Kings 4, Capitals 2Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist for Los Angeles in a win against visiting Washington. Luke Evangelista scored two goals and Colton Sissons also scored for the Predators, whose two-game win streak ended.

☆ Canada police probe media reports on alleged Chinese election interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, March 6 (Reuters) - Canadian police are investigating media reports that cited secret intelligence on alleged Chinese attempts to influence elections for potential violations of information security laws, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Monday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada's top security officials have acknowledged interference attempts by China, but they insist that election outcomes were not altered. They have not confirmed the media reports. "The RCMP has initiated an investigation into violations of the Security of Information Act associated with recent media reports. The Security of Information Act, which was previously known as the Official Secrets Act, deals with protecting sensitive government information.

☆ Canada's Ivey PMI shows activity expanding at slower pace in February
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

OTTAWA, March 6 (Reuters) - Canadian economic activity expanded at a slower pace in February, Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data showed on Monday. The seasonally adjusted index fell to 51.6 from 60.1 in January. The Ivey PMI measures the month to month variation in economic activity as indicated by a panel of purchasing managers from across Canada. The gauge of employment fell to an adjusted 59.4 from 60.5 in January, while the supplier deliveries index was at 55.8, up from 52.3. The unadjusted PMI fell to 50.8 from 54.7.

☆ NHL roundup: Bruins bounce Rangers for 10th straight win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

At the end of a board battle behind Elliott in the second period, Hinostroza one-timed his second goal off a pass from Casey Mittelstadt at 5:35 for Buffalo's first lead. Captain Dylan Larkin scored in the second period and Magnus Hellberg made 32 saves for the Red Wings, who have lost five straight games (0-4-1). Bennett, who had missed six straight games, scored one goal. Capitals 8, Sharks 3Craig Smith scored twice in Washington's four-goal second period and the visitors rallied for a win against San Jose. Predators 3, Blackhawks 1Philip Tomasino, Tyson Barrie and Colton Sissons scored for visiting Nashville in a win against Chicago.

☆ Miners grow anxious as Canada tightens foreign investment rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Divya Rajagopal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ottawa last fall proposed bolstering its Investment Canada Act (ICA) to give government ministers power to block or unwind critical minerals investments if they believe such deals threaten national security. Nearly half of the world's mining companies are listed in Toronto and the city has long been a premier destination for junior mining companies to raise funds, above even rival exchanges in Sydney, New York and London. Canadian officials last fall ordered Chinese companies to sell stakes in three Toronto-listed lithium companies, two of which are developing mines outside Canada. Canada's Industry Ministry, which is spearheading the rules change, called critical minerals "key to the future prosperity of our country." However, the government's crackdown could rebound and hurt Canada as the mining industry underpins a large part of the country's economy, investors and analysts say.

☆ For First Time in More Than 50 Years, No Ice Skating on Ottawa’s Canal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Paul Vieira | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-first-time-in-more-than-50-years-no-ice-skating-on-ottawas-canal-3ccf861f

☆ Canada will 'never tolerate' foreign interference, minister tells China
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

OTTAWA, March 3 (Reuters) - Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told her Chinese counterpart that foreign interference will not be tolerated in Canada's internal affairs, amid calls for a broad public inquiry into China's alleged meddling in the past two elections. "Canada will never tolerate any form of foreign interference in our democracy and internal affairs by China," Joly told China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, in their first-ever meeting, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, according to a statement on Friday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada's top security officials acknowledge interference attempts by China, but they insist that election outcomes were not altered. Earlier on Friday, Qin refuted allegations that Chinese embassies and consulates in Canada were trying to interfere in Canadian elections, saying the alleged interference was "completely false and nonsensical." Canada's main opposition party slammed Trudeau for not endorsing a public inquiry, accusing him of trying to cover-up Chinese influence.

☆ NHL roundup: Bruins become fastest to 100 points
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

With their ninth consecutive win, the Bruins improved to 48-8-5 on the season and became the fastest team in NHL history to record 100 points, doing so in 61 games. Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo and David Krejci each recorded two assists while Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton also scored goals. Casey Mittelstadt scored the lone goal and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves for the Sabres, who dropped their second straight. The Lightning are 2-3-3 in their past eight games and have lost three straight for the first time. The Stars gave goalie Matt Murray his NHL debut, and he finished with 19 saves for the win.

☆ Trudeau's TikTok ban to curb social media reach of opposition leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jenna Zucker | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The leaders of the two biggest opposition parties - Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic party leader Jagmeet Singh - are among politicians who actively used TikTok to reach constituents. That prompted lawmakers from both the ruling Liberals and opposition Conservatives to go even further by suspending their accounts on TikTok. "Any limitation on social media is a problem for any opposition politician," Nik Nanos of Nanos Research told Reuters, saying they do not have the incumbent advantage of being featured regularly on more traditional media outlets. Singh also told reporters that taking a pause to assess how to safely use the social media platform is "something that I feel very comfortable doing and I have no hesitation to do." Poilievre - who has styled himself as an anti-establishment figure - has relied on a strategy of directly reaching voters through social media platforms such as TikTok, where he frequently attacks opponents and makes parody videos.

☆ Toronto man charged with 96 offences related to child sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Toronto Police Service/Handout via REUTERSOTTAWA, March 1 (Reuters) - A 31-year-old Toronto man is facing 96 charges related to sexual assault of children in person as well as on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, police in Canada said on Wednesday. The charges against Daniel Langdon include 39 counts of sexual assault, 39 counts of sexual interference, as well as allegations of making and possessing child pornography, Toronto Police said in a statement. Police allege that Langdon, who they believe was operating alone, used several email addresses and social media platforms, as well as altered photos that made him look younger. Authorities started working on a child luring and sexual assault investigation last year which led to Langdon's arrest in February. Police searched his home and recovered child sexual abuse material as well as evidence indicating that he sexually assaulted a seven-year-old child at a Toronto park.

☆ NHL roundup: Linus Ullmark's record night lifts Bruins
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Dmitry Orlov scored twice in a three-point game while Pavel Zacha also scored for the Bruins. Panthers 4, Lightning 1Eric Staal, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen scored first-period goals as Florida broke Tampa Bay's club-record 16-game home point streak. Sergei Bobrovsky's 29 saves helped him set a record for most NHL wins by a Russian goaltender (354). Jesse Ylonen, Kaiden Guhle and Christian Dvorak scored third-period goals for the Canadiens, who have won three of four. Travis Boyd, Barrett Hayton and Jack McBain also scored goals and Clayton Keller added a pair of assists for Arizona, which snapped a two-game losing streak.

☆ Canada's economy unexpectedly stalled in Q4; January rebound likely
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OTTAWA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The Canadian economy recorded zero growth in the final three months of 2022, massively underperforming expectations, though economic activity likely rebounded with a 0.3% increase in January, Statistics Canada data showed on Tuesday. The 0.0% growth reading in fourth-quarter gross domestic product capped five consecutive quarterly increases and missed analysts' average forecast of a 1.5% rise. It was also well below the Bank of Canada's forecast for 1.3% annualized GDP growth in the quarter. The economy contracted 0.1% in December from November, also below analysts' expectations that GDP would be unchanged in the month. Still, Statscan said the economy likely started 2023 on a stronger footing, with increases in sectors including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction and wholesale trade indicating a 0.3% rise.

☆ The U.S. and China have a culture clash around their telephone hotline
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It isn't the first time China didn't answer the phone — a hotline set up for emergencies. Chinese culture is a reason why, said Shen Yamei, deputy director and associate research fellow at state-backed think tank China Institute of International Studies' department for American studies. She said she wasn't aware of what actually happened between the U.S. and China regarding the declined phone call. "The PRC did not do that," the secretary said, referring to the official name of China. Using a hotline to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation does imply there's a situation that needs to be diffused, Bodine said.

☆ NHL roundup: Connor McDavid's 49th, 50th goals can't stop Bruins
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Edmonton's Connor McDavid scored twice for the first 50-goal season of his NHL career. Rantanen has goals in five straight games and MacKinnon recorded at least a point in his eighth consecutive game. Andrei Kuzmenko scored the winner 48 seconds into the overtime for the Canucks, who are 3-1-1 in their past five games. Isac Lundestrom, Jakob Silfverberg and Troy Terry also scored goals for the Ducks, with Silfverberg recording his 150th in an Anaheim uniform. Tyler Johnson and Andreas Athanasiou each scored goals for the Blackhawks, who saw their season-best five-game winning streak come to an end.

☆ Canada Follows U.S., Europe With TikTok Ban on Government Devices
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Paul Vieira | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A TikTok representative said the company is disappointed by Canada’s decision. OTTAWA–Canada on Monday followed the lead of the U.S. and European Commission and banned the TikTok app from government-issued devices, citing an “unacceptable” level of risk to privacy and security. The prohibition in Canada, effective Tuesday, would add to a patchwork of bans affecting government employees in the U.S. and Europe, based over national-security concerns about TikTok’s owner, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. Some U.S. and European lawmakers and officials have expressed concern that Beijing could force TikTok to hand over data on its users, or to influence the videos they view.

☆ 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.

First Nations ice fishermen risk going out on ice as climate change affects the quality of the ice. He blames climate change for the unseasonal weather and worries ice fishing season will only get shorter in future. "People tell us across the board they would like more traditional food but there are barriers, and one of them is climate change," Batal said. Families in communities like Kitigan Zibi wind up spending more in grocery stores to supplement their diet. Reporting by Blair Gable in Kitigan Zibi and Nia Williams in British Columbia Editing by Denny Thomas and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Canada bans TikTok from government devices citing security risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"This may be a first step, it may be the only step we need to take," he said referring to the action against TikTok. As government bans TikTok on work phones, "many Canadians, businesses and private individuals will reflect on the security of their own data and perhaps make choices in consequence," he said. The ban was issued "without citing any specific security concern or contacting us with questions," a TikTok spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Ottawa has also previously excluded Chinese firms from Canada's critical minerals and telecommunication sectors, citing risks to its national security. "The Communications Security Establishment’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) guidance strongly recommends that Canadians understand the risks and make an informed choice on their own before deciding what tools to use."

☆ NHL roundup: Roope Hintz's SO goal lifts Stars past Knights
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Rookie Wyatt Johnston also scored a goal and Jamie Benn added two assists for the Stars. Eichel and Michael Amadio both scored goals for Vegas, which saw its five-game home winning streak snapped. Patrik Laine had a goal with two assists and Kirill Marchenko scored twice for the Blue Jackets, who swept the two-game season series from Edmonton. It was Oshie's first career game with a goal, assist and a fight, known as a Gordie Howe hat trick. Tyler Toffoli scored, Jacob Markstrom turned away 18 shots and Nazem Kadri had an assist in his return to Colorado.

☆ NHL roundup: William Nylander's OT goal lifts Leafs past Wild
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsFebruary 25 - William Nylander scored at 1:05 of overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Friday night. David Kampf also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won two in a row. Brandon Duhaime scored for the Wild, who had won their fourth straight game 2-0 on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Canadiens 5, Flyers 2Jesse Ylonen had one goal and one assist to lift Montreal past host Philadelphia. Compher and Nathan MacKinnon each had a goal and an assist for visiting Colorado in a win over Winnipeg.

☆ Fact Check-"15-minute city" slogan on Ottawa construction site not evidence of any government policy where citizens will be "locked in"
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Furthermore, the 15-minute cities concept does not suggest locking residents within certain areas or using checkpoints and fines, as social media posts suggest. The 15-minute city concept is widely credited to Carlos Moreno, a city planning researcher who coined the term in 2016 (here). He said “15-minute neighbourhoods” are a part of the city’s Official Plan (here) but Brigil’s adoption of it “is a market choice and not a policy requirement”. Wise added: “The idea of 15-minute cities is not new and does not aim to limit movement across the city. The urban planning concept known as ‘15-minute cities’ does not include plans to limit freedom of movement or fine people for leaving their neighbourhood.

Search resuls for: "OTTAWA"

25 mentions found