Ford recalling 465,000 vehicles due to gas leak
June 3rd, 2013 | Comments (0)
Ford is recalling about 465 thousand cars and SUVs including 23 thousand in Canada beacuase the fuel tanks can leak and cause fires. Ford says a connector from the fuel tank to the fuel line is the source of the leak. The global recall affects the Fusion, Explorer, Taurus, and Flex. Also affected are the Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ. All the vehicles are from the 2013 model year.
Relief coming for wireless customers
June 3rd, 2013 | Comments (0)
Wireless customers will be able to cancel their cellphone contracts after two years without any penalties even if they’ve signed up for longer terms under a new code of conduct unveiled Monday by the C.R.T.C. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission says the new code will apply to new wireless contracts starting December 2nd. It’s part of a new set of national standards for the content and clarity of cellphone contracts. The C.R.T.C. is also capping extra data charges at $50 per month and international data roaming charges at $100 per month to avoid huge, surprise bills. The regulator will require providers to allow customers to unlock their devices after 90 days, or immediately if they pay the full amount of the device. Customers will also be allowed to return their cellphones within 15 days and specified usage limits if they’re unhappy with their service.
Ontario Court of Appeal refuses to dismiss $50 billion tobacco lawsuit
May 31st, 2013 | Comments (0)
Several big foreign tobacco companies have lost a bid to have a $50 billion lawsuit by the Ontario government thrown out of court. Ontario’s Court of Appeal has refused their request. The three-judge panel unanimously said it sees no legal reason to overturn a lower court ruling that the case should proceed. Ontario launched a lawsuit against 14 tobacco companies in September 2009 to try to recoup past and present health-care costs related to smoking. The province claims the corporations should be on the hook for billions of dollars because they misrepresented the risks of smoking, did not take steps to reduce the effects and marketed cigarettes toward children and teens. The tobacco companies argued that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice didn’t have jurisdiction to hear the case.
Canada’s largest private sector union will be called Unifor
May 30th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Canada’s largest private sector union now has a name. The new group – which brings together the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers – will be called Unifor. Its logo will be a red U on a white shield. The CEP and CAW voted last year to join forces; a move they hope will boost the national labour movement. The new union would represent more than 300,000 workers across roughly 20 sectors of the economy.
After a lengthy debate, Vaughan declares interest in new casino
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
It took nearly eight hours, but Vaughan has decided to pursue a casino. A final vote was passed by council around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, and the city will now alert the OLG. The two potential locations for the facility would be at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre or the 407 subway station. Meantime, Vaughan will get no competition from Markham, as city councillors there voted against a motion to reopen a debate on the issue. Last week, Toronto council said no both a downtown casino and a possible expansion at woodbine racetrack.
Workers at Woodbine Racetrack reach tentative agreement with the OLG
May 27th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Ratification votes will be held over the next couple of days for over 400 workers at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Members of the Public Sector Alliance of Canada and the OLG reached a tentative agreement on Sunday. The union says it’s pleased it was able to reach a deal that gives members a better work-life balance. OLG’s Senior Vice President, Gaming, Larry Flynn says the agreement will ensure customers continue to get an excellent experience without disruption. No details of the deal have been released.
The issue of a new casino in Toronto being debated at special council meeting
May 21st, 2013 | Comments (0)
The debate over whether or not Toronto council supports a casino in the city will get going once again. Councillors will weigh in on the issue Tuesday at a special meeting and are expected to hold a vote. Last week, Mayor Rob Ford threatened to kill plans for a new casino, unless the province agreed to give the city $100 million a year in hosting fees. The government says a new formula would give Toronto nearly $54 million a year, far below expectations.
Yahoo buying Tumblr for $1.1-billion
May 20th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Some big business news has made headlines, Monday morning. Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion. CEO Marissa Mayer says she’s trying to rejuvenate Yahoo – the Internet icon she feels has fallen behind the times. The deal is Mayer’s boldest move since she left Google 10 months ago to lead Yahoo’s latest comeback attempt. It marks Yahoo’s most expensive acquisition since the California company bought online search engine Overture a decade ago for $1.3 billion in cash and stock. The online blogging site will be independently operated, and to remain a separate business with David Karp staying on as its CEO.
Strike averted at the LCBO ahead of the Victoria Day long-weekend
May 17th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Alcohol will be flowing across Ontario over the long-weekend after all. The LCBO and OPSEU reached a tentative agreement just before a midnight strike deadline. A walkout in advance of the Victoria Day long-weekend would have been the first in the agency’s 87-year history. No details have been released pending ratification from both sides. LCBO spokesperson Heather McGregor says the agreement is fair to taxpayers and the 6,700 employees. Head of the union’s bargaining team, Denise Davis, says the deal meets workers’ expectations and is recommending they accept it.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford threatens to kill plans for a new casino in the city
May 17th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The casino debate in Toronto could have just come to an abrupt ending. Mayor Rob Ford, frustrated with the provincial government’s refusal to divulge information, says if the province doesn’t agree to $100 million in hosting fees, the “deal is dead.” The comments were made after the government said a new formula would give Toronto nearly $54 million a year. The OLG had to revise the formula after Premier Kathleen Wynne made it clear in march that she didn’t want Toronto to get a special deal.
Union representing LCBO employees has started opening strike headquarters as Friday deadline looms
May 14th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Anyone in need of a trip to the LCBO ahead of the long weekend might want to start thinking about doing it soon. Management is urging people to stock up before the weekend hits as a precaution. OPSEU has begun opening strike headquarters as a Friday deadline creeps near. A walkout would be the first in the 87-year history of the LCBO. The union says a major issue in the dispute is the pay disparity between full- and part-time employees.
Big three North American automakers claw back some of the market share in April
May 13th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The big three North American automakers continued to claw back some of the market share. According to the figures released by Desrosiers Automotive Consultants, GM, Chrysler and Ford combined for just under 46 per cent of sales in April, which was an increase of nearly two per cent over the same time in 2012. General Motors led the way with a nearly 19 per cent year-over-year increase, while Ford sold the most vehicles with just under 28,000. Chrysler had the smallest increase, but was still ahead five per cent.