High interest rates are hurting wallets, but there may be an end in sight. Supplement-maker The Bountiful Company will pay a US$600,000 fine to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a first-of-its-kind ruling against “review hijacking” on Amazon. Companies across the country are trotting out all sorts of new incentives to entice workers to trade in their sweatpants and mid-day naps for office life, per The Globe and Mail. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/t...
Apr 12, 2023•9 min
If you thought tax season couldn’t get any more stressful, the people responsible for getting your returns back are out of office for the foreseeable future. While you were counting sheep, Sleep Country has been busy counting dollars. Something called “The Mr. Big” tactic has a 95% success rate in jailing criminals, but critics want it banned. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 11, 2023•7 min
Apple’s first-ever retail store in India is set to open any day now, but that’s hardly the only move the biggest tech giant is making into the world’s fastest-growing major economy. When 24 Sussex Drive, the Prime Minister’s official residence since 1951, was shut down over health concerns last year, we thought, “How bad could things possibly be?” The answer: mountains of dead rodents bad. Europe’s strict labour laws are slowing down the international leg of the tech layoff tour. Celebrating som...
Apr 10, 2023•8 min
Don’t freak out, but global investors are staking a lot of money on one of Canada’s biggest banks hitting some seriously choppy waters. To paraphrase The Beatles, we can always get by with a little help from our friends… but maybe we shouldn’t rely on them too much. It will soon be easier than ever for Ontarians to find a doctor with a charming accent. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 06, 2023•9 min
The happiest people on earth have joined the West’s most important military alliance. Today in news we wish was an April Fool’s joke, Twitter is **all in on pay-to-play. Canada’s downtown cores aren’t quite ghost towns, but their office buildings are eerily quiet. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 05, 2023•9 min
Hot off of WrestleMania, the world’s largest pro wrestling promotion is linking up with the world’s biggest mixed martial arts brand to bodyslam their way to bigger broadcast deals. For Ontario’s Jeremy Hansen, the sky is not the limit. NASA is sending him to [deep space](https://exploredeepspace.com/deep-space-mission-3/what-is-deep-space/#:~:text=Deep space%3A Beyond the Moon,Earth is 3%2C100%2C000 miles away.). Canadian clothier Aritzia is having a moment in the sun, but some clouds are comin...
Apr 04, 2023•9 min
The federal government approved Rogers’ ~$26 billion takeover of Telus, and slapped down 21 conditions to ensure the deal benefits Canadians. Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) reported over $3 billion in revenue last quarter, breaking its record set in the previous quarter of $2.7 billion. Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson warned of a brewing “subsidy war” between the US and its allies in the clean energy space. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typefor...
Apr 03, 2023•8 min
We’ve got good news and bad news. Good news: Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) promise to boost productivity and global GDP! Bad news: it could cost you your job. Think bailing out banks seems tricky? China’s been bailing out entire countries, according to a new study. With interest rates and the cost of living way up, at least one important number is going down—the maximum interest rate on loans. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 31, 2023•9 min
Kind of like us at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, AI is doing too much way too fast. With warmer weather ahead, Google wants to make sure you don’t get too hot this year. From a green energy push to expanded dental care, the feds put forward ambitious but pricy goals in this year’s budget. They also made it clear who would help pay for it all. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 30, 2023•8 min
Strap on a fancy new pair of shoes and step into The Peak’s 2023 federal budget analysis. Like a used car salesman covered in flop sweat in an ill-fitting suit, Twitter is desperately trying to get you to buy what it’s selling. The metaverse might be the next digital media frontier, but Disney has decided to stay put in its Magic Kingdom for now. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 29, 2023•8 min
Do you ever scroll Uber Eats, looking for a well-deserved treat, and stumble upon fake-sounding restaurants you’ve never heard of? Well, they are fake… kind of. Officials at the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank are warning about a potential lending squeeze resulting from turmoil in the banking sector. If you’ve been anxious about your household budget lately, take heart: The federal budget very likely involved some truly stomach-churning decisions. Celebrating something? Let us know ...
Mar 28, 2023•8 min
Hockey history is full of iconic rivalries, and the newest one is currently underway: fans vs. the official provider of NHL merchandise. In case bank executives didn’t have enough to worry about these days (read: near-collapse of Credit Suisse), the Bank of Montréal is also trying to stave off a run against Air Miles. The latest Chinese interference drama has offered us a very valuable lesson: always confirm any hot goss you get before spreading it around. Celebrating something? Let us know here...
Mar 27, 2023•7 min
Folks, it’s time to talk about Canada’s gross domestic profit as it relates to you. It turns out, the next “big space” is literally just more space. Yesterday, Congress had its first opportunity to grill TikTok CEO Shou Chew about the company’s relationship with its Chinese owner, ByteDance, its handling of US user data, and the risks it may pose to teens. And, well, we knew we were in for some spicy questions. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 24, 2023•7 min
Today, Joe Biden makes his first official visit to Canada since taking office. He’s set to partake in 24 hours of pure, uncut diplomacy, including an address to Parliament. Next time you tune in to The Bear, The Cougar, The Falcon, the Squirrel, The Yeti, or whatever your local radio station is called, don’t be alarmed if the DJ sounds a little bit off. Let’s take a peek behind the curtain and into the exclusive world of private investments. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepe...
Mar 23, 2023•8 min
With everyone from Mountain Dew to Sunny D now slinging hard seltzers, the leader of this overcrowded market is looking to diversify and capitalize on new trends. Ryan Reynolds isn’t the only producer setting up shop in Canada—camera crews are flocking here in droves. After its “don’t call it a bailout” bailout for Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank depositors, the US government is doubling down on its no depositor left behind mindset. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak...
Mar 22, 2023•8 min
A coalition of central banks, including Canada, the US, the EU, England, Japan, and Switzerland, came together to keep US dollars circulating through an achy-breaky banking system. Book publishers are trying to shut down the Napster of libraries. Starbucks is welcoming a new CEO two weeks ahead of schedule. Laxman Narasimhan will unseat the coffee chain’s founder and three-time CEO Howard Schultz, who returned to the company last year—earning a $1 salary—to help right the ship and mentor his suc...
Mar 21, 2023•9 min
Welcome to the future, where staying out of trouble depends on how well you can impress the government’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools. It’s been a minute since we’ve discussed Canada’s ambitions to become a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. How are things going? Honestly, not great. Though we're still upset about Couche-Tard killing off Mac's Milk, we admit its recent big money moves are impressive. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA...
Mar 20, 2023•8 min
It’s not a Happy St. Patty’s for everyone. On the year’s premier drinking day, Big Beer is ramping up a fight with the federal government over a looming tax hike on the sudsy stuff. After Google unveiled some sweet AI Workspace features, Microsoft reasserted its pole position in the AI arms race with a product it claims will “transform work as we know it.” Wide open spaces. Majestic mountains. Cheap housing. Alberta is marketing itself as the new land of opportunity to east coasters. Celebrating...
Mar 17, 2023•9 min
Despite bank stocks enjoying a slight but promising rebound on Tuesday, news of a potential funding crunch faced by Credit Suisse quickly put the good news times to an end. Canada’s air travel regulator has been handing out fines left and right, at 10,000 feet and on the ground, amid a surge in customer complaints. In the biggest moon-related conspiracy since “NASA faked the moon landing,” one Reddit user claims that Samsung is faking its moon photos. Celebrating something? Let us know here: htt...
Mar 16, 2023•9 min
Good news for all you tapwater fans, the US and Canada are moving towards making drinking water free of toxic chemicals. Canada’s banking regulator wants to be kept in the loop as Silicon Valley’s financial crisis ripples out. Canada’s chief science advisor released a report on long COVID, claiming the illness could be a “mass-disabling event” with the potential to ravage healthcare and the labour market. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 15, 2023•9 min
Imagine this: Before you settle in for today’s Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) coverage, you should listen to yesterday’s episode to get caught up. Like any bingeable show these days, you gotta start at the first episode. Does the idea of lab-grown meat weird you out a little? Well, scientists hope the rise in lab-grown dairy could at least help you warm up to the idea. We’re taking it back to Grade 9 civics class and giving you an update on the Senate. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https:/...
Mar 14, 2023•10 min
We explain the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Headlines announcing layoffs continue to crowd our feeds, and yet there are very few signs of cracks in the Canadian and US labour markets… so, what gives? Remember floppy discs? You might not! Used to store data way before the cloud and USBs, they haven't been commonly used since the 90s. But they're still kicking. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 13, 2023•8 min
Imagine this: A future where your phone battery is so good that you never have to get through the day on a 10% charge again. Online purchase scams were the leading type of scams in Canada last year, per the Better Business Bureau, but a more dangerous contender is now coming for the crown. An acclaimed researcher has adjusted his happiness hypothesis with inflation, and then some. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 10, 2023•9 min
Alberta has introduced new legislation to give itself more power over gun control. Who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines? US officials say they have new clues. We regret to inform you that Twitter drama has reached unfathomably silly new levels. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 09, 2023•9 min
Global birth rates are on the decline, but one Japanese town has cracked the baby-making code. Lawyers for the plastics industry are fighting to make sure your kitchen cupboard stuffed with plastic bags stays well-stocked. Even as it deals with that pesky little issue of a potential ban in North America and the EU, TikTok is keeping on and looking for new ways to bolster its domination of Gen Z's eyeballs. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 08, 2023•8 min
Waiting on a promotion? Well, there are two big names you’ll likely have to impress first: Myers and Briggs. Everything must go: Prices on some Teslas are down ~20% since January. From trading hiccups to stablecoin woes, the world’s largest crypto platform has had a rough 2023. And now, after a new report, regulators are circling like sharks before a feeding frenzy. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 07, 2023•8 min
As the global semiconductors arms race gets hotter than a ten-year-old laptop trying to run a browser with multiple tabs open, one Canadian chip leader just got a lot less Canadian. Now might be a good time to buy Planet Fitness stock, because over half the world’s population will be either overweight or obese by 2035 if trends hold, according to a new report by the World Obesity Federation. The newest trend sweeping TikTok is yet another example of why you can't trust everything you see online....
Mar 06, 2023•8 min
A parliamentary committee voted to call on the Prime Minister to open an independent public inquiry into foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections. The Chief Science Advisor of Canada wants to get to the bottom of this UFO business. If you’ve been waiting to order a copy of Prince Harry’s memoir or various home goods of questionable usefulness from Indigo, you’re gonna have to keep waiting. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Mar 03, 2023•9 min
GoerTek, a major Apple supplier, invested millions into a new production plant in Vietnam and is weighing an Indian expansion as it looks to [leave China](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-suppliers-are-racing-to-exit-china-airpods-maker-says-1.1889086#:~:text=(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.,US company's most important partners.). Netflix’s first stage play will premiere later this year in London’s famous West End. Shopify is revamping its compensation structure to reward individual contributors with ...
Mar 02, 2023•8 min
We have some terrible, no-good news: rewards programs are getting less rewarding. A new paper in Frontiers in Science details one research group’s case for organoid intelligence—the practice of using tiny clumps of human stem cells to power computers. Provincial budget season is in full swing after Alberta and BC unveiled their #spendinggoals. In case you weren’t watching with popcorn in hand like we were, here’s the lowdown. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/...
Mar 01, 2023•8 min
