Author: Silas Reed

The federal government’s temporary “tax holiday” could deliver narrow savings for consumers, but some small businesses are unconvinced they’ll see any benefits. The two-month tax break comes into effect Saturday, cutting the goods and services (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST) from dozens of items, including prepared foods and select groceries.The Liberal legislation will save consumers an estimated $1.5 billion, according to a costing note published by the parliamentary budget officer.Pat Nicastro, owner of La Bottega Nicastro in Ottawa’s ByWard Market, is optimistic about the savings the tax break could deliver his customers, especially on prepared foods. La Bottega features…

An Ontario court has given The Body Shop Canada the approval it needs to sell the majority of its business to a private equity firm. During a virtual hearing on Friday, Justice Peter Osborne allowed the cosmetics retailer to proceed with a sale to an affiliate of Markham, Ont.-based Serruya Private Equity Inc.“Fingers crossed and wishes for success,” Osborne said to Serruya before concluding the brief hearing.The private equity firm is led by the co-founder of Yogen Früz and has invested in automotive, real estate and fast-food businesses including St. Louis Bar and Grill, Second Cup and Swensen’s. It has…

A member of the Edmonton Police Commission plans to serve the remainder of his term from Portugal and says he believes living abroad will not interfere with his role, even though a member of a local lawyers association has concerns. On Friday, Global News spoke with John McDougall from his home in the European country.Currently, McDougall serves as the chair of the police commission. His time as chair comes to an end on Dec. 31.However, McDougall does intend to complete his term as a member of the commission from abroad. He was appointed by the province to a three-year term…

By The Staff The Canadian Press Posted December 13, 2024 3:45 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage has been sworn  in as Nova Scotia’s 34th lieutenant-governor. Savage was installed during a ceremony today at the Nova Scotia legislature.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Savage’s appointment as the King’s representative in Nova Scotia in October. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. He replaces Arthur J. LeBlanc who had held the position since 2017 and who…

Several of United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin’s community programs are potentially at risk of losing funding. The local chapter is calling on the community to help fund some of their critical services through donations.Glenna Banda, executive director of United Way, said they fund 51 programs overall.“At a time when it’s more difficult to fundraise, there’s more that we need to do. And then to amplify that, many charities are really challenged right now with the Canada Post strike,” Banda said.The Canada Post strike has hit the four-week mark, continuing to impact organizations and charities alike nationwide. Get breaking National news…

By Jordan Omstead The Canadian Press Posted December 13, 2024 1:44 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size A Toronto hospital cancelled all “non-essential” activities on Friday after a boiler system failure cut off its supply of heat and hot water. Unity Health Toronto called the boiler failure at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in the city’s west end an “emergency situation” affecting its ability to provide services across the hospital.“The health and safety of all of our patients is a top priority and we are working to keep our buildings warm as possible as we resolve the issue,” a…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a British cellist who rose to international fame after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, had to cancel a highly-anticipated Toronto concert following a dispute with Air Canada over his cello’s pre-booked seat. Kanneh-Mason, currently on tour in North America with his sister and pianist, Isata Kanneh-Mason, detailed the incident in a heartfelt Instagram post.“We were deeply saddened not to be able to perform for you at Koerner Hall last night,” they wrote Thursday.The siblings were scheduled to perform at the Koerner Hall on Wednesday, but…

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada and the United States need to “make a deal” as president-elect Donald Trump’s threats of sweeping tariffs continues to loom over the two countries. Ford made those comments Friday, one day after Trump responded to his threat of stopping energy exports to the U.S. should Trump follow through.Trump told a CNBC reporter on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Thursday that it was “OK” if Ford did that, adding it was “fine.” He then went on to claim the U.S. is “subsidizing” Canada to the tune of US$100 billion a year —…

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The federal government says it’s funding the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer Project at the University of Manitoba to the tune of more than $206,000. The project, which began in 2015, monitors the evolution of Canadians’ understanding of and progress through reconciliation.MP Terry Duguid (Winnipeg South) announced Friday on behalf of Canada’s heritage minister, Pascale St-Onge, that the funding will go toward initiatives including the creation of an advisory council of elders and knowledge keepers, and the development of learning materials to help educate people. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news,…

By Staff The Canadian Press Posted December 13, 2024 11:50 am 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size The federal and provincial governments have announced a $100-million agreement to help fight homelessness in Quebec. The money will be used to pay for additional shelter spaces in Quebec communities, to build new warming centres and to support people at imminent risk of homelessness. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Ottawa is providing $50 million in funding over two…