Canada & World

Canadian and international business news relevant to local business leaders here in Ottawa. Includes stories related to inflation, interest rates, employment, major government announcements and more.

Feds plan $30M ad buy to help media deal with COVID-19 fallout

The federal government announced Wednesday that it is planning a $30-million COVID-19 awareness advertising campaign and moving...

Ontario introduces $17B COVID-19 package; more than doubles deficit

The spending boost includes a $1-billion COVID-19 contingency fund, nearly $1 billion more for hospitals, and more personal protective equipment for front-line workers

Liberals rejig benefits for workers affected by COVID-19

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the measure allows companies to temporarily let go of workers to cut payroll costs and leave money in the affected employees' pockets

Small business confidence falls to record low amid COVID-19 pandemic, CFIB says

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says small business confidence has fallen to a new low amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Business, labour groups say Liberals’ COVID-19 wage subsidy too little to help

A growing number of business and labour groups are urging the federal Liberals to up their promised wage subsidy to help companies hit hard by COVID-19 keep people on their payrolls

Ontario set to temporarily reduce hydro rates: Ford

Ontario has slashed the price of hydro temporarily as many people work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic

Restaurants ask government for help to stay afloat amid coronavirus shutdowns

Restaurant owners are struggling to stay afloat as health authorities and governments urge wide-scale shutdowns

Travel company Transat AT lays off 3,600 staff, about 70 per cent of workforce

The decision comes as non-essential travel around the world comes to a standstill as governments close borders in an effort to slow the COVID-19 pandemic