business
Are you overpaying for a lab-grown diamond?
Marketed as an alternative to mined diamonds, lab-grown stones are growing in popularity among engaged couples, taking some of the shine from mined or “natural” diamonds, which have traditionally dominated the market. Source link
B.C. and feds enter lumber understanding with China during Carney visit
The five-year agreement, which is not legally binding, also involves the federal Department of Natural Resources. The deal calls for exchanges and joint research on modern wood construction. Source link
What's in store for Canada's housing market in 2026?
National home sales in Canada declined by 1.9 per cent in December compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, capping a year that saw lower interest rates but heightened economic anxiety. Source link
Saks Global files for bankruptcy after Neiman Marcus takeover leads to financial collapse
High-end department store conglomerate Saks Global filed for bankruptcy protection late on Tuesday, in one of the largest retail collapses since the pandemic. It comes barely a year after a deal that brought Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus under the same roof. Source link
Some Canadians are ready to work in Venezuela‘s oilpatch — if they're allowed in
In Alberta, there is excitement and hesitation from businesses and energy workers at the potential opportunity ahead in Venezuela. Source link
McDonald's Canada to freeze price of small coffee, drop cost of value meals for one year
McDonald’s Canada will freeze the price of a small cup of coffee at $1 for at least a year and drop the price of its McValue meals to $5 for the same duration, its CEO announced on Tuesday. Source link
Central bank heads, including Canada's, defend U.S. Fed chair Powell
Leaders of central banks from around the world, including Canada’s Tiff Macklem, have lined up in support of U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, issuing an unprecedented statement of solidarity after the Trump administration threatened him with a criminal indictment. Source link
Average asking rents fell to just over $2K in December — their lowest in more than 2 years
Asking rents in Canada fell 2.3 per cent year-over-year in December to an average of $2,060, marking a full calendar year of declines as prices reached their lowest level in 30 months. Source link
Appetite for a bargain: Rising food costs fuel boom in discount grocery stores
With the cost of living soaring, Ron Robinson is determined to save wherever he can — starting with his grocery bill. It’s why he shops at an ultra discount grocery chain in Montreal, where prices can be as much as 50 per cent less than a regular grocery store. Source link
Someone made big money betting on Maduro. What are prediction markets, and is it time they had tighter rules?
The huge sums of money swapped over the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have reignited questions about prediction markets — platforms that allow users to make yes/no wagers on nearly any kind of event, and which have shot from small startups to major companies in recent years. Source link