Former Ornge employee sues for wrongful dismissal
November 8th, 2012 | Comments (0)
A former employee of Ornge is suing for wrongful dismissal. Lisa Kirbie was hired as the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs in 2010, but says she was let go in July without cause. Kirbie alleges her firing was to do with her helping to expose the wrongdoing at Ornge. She’s seeking back pay and $100,000 damages from the troubled air ambulance agency.
The Durham resale housing market remained strong in October
November 8th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Housing resales were exceptionally strong in October. According to the Durham Region Association of Realtors, there was an 11 percent increase in the number of sales, over September, with 849 homes sold. President Christine Marquis says things likely won’t remain as hot for the remainder of 2012. However, while real estate experts in the GTA have forecast a cooling market due to tightened mortgage rules, Marquis says Durham region isn’t as impacted because of its affordability. The average selling price in Durham last month was $339,000. The average cost of a single-detached home was just over $377,000.
Building permit sales up in Oshawa in October, but way down in Whitby
November 8th, 2012 | Comments (0)
October building permit sales were remarkably strong in Oshawa. According to recently released figures the total value of the permits was well over $40-million. $24-million is expected to be spent on residential construction, the third highest residential value for October on record. One of the highlights is a $9-million apartment building being constructed in the area of Simcoe Street North and Eastwood Avenue.
Meanwhile, Building permit sales in the Town of Whitby dropped significantly last month. The town sold 42 permits, compared to 89 in October of last year. Construction value also plummeted over 67 per cent from 2011 levels, coming in at just over $7-million. Year-to-date, over 200 fewer permits have been sold, and construction value is down 22 per cent overall.
Suzuki Canada says it’s not impacted by the money troubles of its US counterpart
November 7th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Suzuki has stopped selling vehicles in the US and decided to seek court protection from its creditors. In the meantime, Suzuki Canada says it’s business as usual on this side of the border. Suzuki Canada says it’s a separate company from its American counterpart. There 60 Suzuki dealerships in Canada, which sell about 500 vehicles a month.
Obama wins reelection, while Ontario keeps a keen eye on the US economy
November 7th, 2012 | Comments (0)
It’s four more years of US President Barack Obama. Obama defeated republican Mitt Romney by winning more than 300 electoral votes, though he won the popular vote by only a slim margin. Chief Economist at the Conference Board of Canada, Glen Hodgson says based on his social agenda, Canadians tend to prefer Obama, but he’s not necessarily looking out for us. During his presidency, Obama has put a number of protectionist measures in place, negatively impacting Ontario. Hodgson says Ontario needs to explore international business opportunities beyond the US, in order to diversify its commercial base.
Finance Minister warns economic trouble in the US would effect Canada
November 6th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Finance Minister and Whitby-Oshawa MP Jim Flaherty says Canada’s economy is tied to the US, for better or worse. Following two days of meetings with high Group of 20 counterparts in Mexico City, Flaherty said the United States has replaced Europe as the biggest threat to our economy. He says Washington must resolve its issues by the end of the year, or risk facing another recession. Flaherty says if that were to happen, Canada would likely follow.
Government will shut down ServiceOntario kiosks
November 6th, 2012 | Comments (0)
You’re most likely going to have to get back in line or hop online to change your address for Ontario documents or get your licence plate stickers. The Liberal government is shutting down the 72 ServiceOntario kiosks across the province. There were a number of security issues in June that prompted the government to call police. It’s anticipated there will be an 8.5 million dollar cost savings to the plan.
Housing activity to remain slow in the GTA
November 6th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Housing activity is expected to remain slow in the GTA for the rest of the year and into the first half of 2013. Senior Market Analyst for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Shaun Hildebrand, says there’s been changes to the market that is impacting activity, among which are tighter mortgage rules. Hildebrand says Durham Region offers the greatest level of affordability. The price gap between the average house in Durham and other parts of the GTA has risen steadily, standing at about 50 per cent.
Tobacco companies ask that a $50-billion lawsuit be dismissed
November 5th, 2012 | Comments (0)
Two tobacco companies want an Ontario lawsuit dismissed. British American Tobacco and RJ Reynolds Tobacco are asking Ontario’s top court to dismiss a $50-billion lawsuit brought against them by the province. The companies’ lawyers argue that the suit is based on the false theory that in the 1950s tobacco companies conspired to keep information about the harmful effects of cigarettes from smokers. The province launched the lawsuit against 14 companies in 2009, in an effort to recoup billions of dollars in health care casts.
Overstating fuel mileage lands Hyundai and KIA in hot water with US environmental agency
November 2nd, 2012 | Comments (0)
Two automakers finding themselves in trouble with the US Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA says Hyundai and KIA overstated the gas mileage on most of their models from the past three years. Both companies apologize for the error and will reimburse customers for the difference between the mileage figures. One model’s highway fuel economy was inflated by six miles per gallon. There’s no word on whether the companies will be fined.
Jobs picture for October a little bit gloomy
November 2nd, 2012 | Comments (0)
Not a very inspiring jobs outlook Friday as Stats Canada released unemployment numbers for October. While the rate stayed at 7.4 percent, only 1,800 jobs were added last month. Canadian Labour Congress Senior Economist Angela McEwen hopes the federal government realizes they still have a job to do with the economy and now is not the time to back off on infrastructure projects. In Oshawa the unemployment rate is up slightly to 9.1 percent while Toronto is at 8.6 percent, also a slight jump. In the US, the jobs reports shows American employers added 171,000 jobs in October even though the unemployment rate still inched up to 7.9 percent.
Mr Christie cookie factory to close
November 2nd, 2012 | Comments (0)
A landmark in west Toronto will close next year. 550 people will lose their jobs when the Christie Cookie factory closes in the third quarter of 2013. The plant has been making cookies for 64 years. Mondelez Canada says the facility is old and the area is changing to homes and shops.