It’s time to update the old warning, “Don’t believe everything you read,” to “Don’t believe everything you see.” Here’s an only-in-Canada story for you: Government officials are worried that it’s too difficult to sell people weed right now. Voters in Alberta will decide on their next premier today in a close election that’s being watched around the country. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO - Loblaw purchase announcement: https://www.loblaw.ca/en/I...
May 29, 2023•14 min
Our high-level bank earnings summary: “Not great, but things could be worse.” How do you mine critical minerals in Canada? Very slowly, according to one of the largest miners in Ontario’s Ring of Fire. The days of no-questioned-asked returns are numbered, as retailers crack down on one of their biggest profit suckers in a worsening economic climate. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 26, 2023•8 min
Sometimes being number one isn’t anything to brag about—take Canada’s household debt situation, for example. There are a lot of podcasts. About 4 million, to be exact. From old roommates to distant relatives to yours truly, starting a podcast has become a right of passage into adulthood. We regret to inform you that city budgets across the country have gotten so tight (relatable) that they’re starting to take away the fun stuff. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.c...
May 25, 2023•8 min
Becoming an engineer in Ontario just got easier (you know, aside from all the math). By the end of this year, plastic straws are set to officially become a relic of the past. After taking a look into allegations of China’s interference in Canadian politics, former governor general (and current “special rapporteur”) David Johnston has decided the whole thing represents an “increasing threat to our democratic system” but has not called for a public inquiry into the matter. Celebrating something? L...
May 24, 2023•9 min
A group representing Canadian truckers is sounding the alarm about a scam it thinks has reached a “crisis level.” And unlike a novelty mudflap, it’s no laughing matter. Everyone wants to be a big EV player… as long as someone else pays for it. A startup called Telly has dominated the news headlines after offering a smart TV with a market value of $1,000 for free. The catch? To subsidize your free TV, the screen comes with a small display attached to the bottom that will run advertisements as you...
May 18, 2023•9 min
If anything can bring two sides of the aisle together, it’s regulating artificial intelligence. Some surprises are good, like a b-day party or finding a $20 bill in your coat. Others are less good, like a cancelled reservation or a blister. Recent inflation data is one of those surprises. If you thought long weekend travel couldn’t possibly get any more chaotic, think again. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 17, 2023•9 min
Vice, which started out as a tiny punk zine in Montréal before becoming the bad boy idol of new media brands, filed for bankruptcy protection. A group of its creditors put in a US$225 million bid to buy the company, an amount that would be covered by existing loans. Western Canada has seen more than 600 wildfires so far this year, but officials say the season is just getting started. The Motion Picture Association (MPA)—a trade group made up of major Hollywood studios, including Disney and Netfl...
May 16, 2023•9 min
A new lawsuit against TikTok owner ByteDance could discredit the company’s primary defence against efforts by some Western lawmakers to ban the app. The Bank of Canada is determined to crush inflation, but that doesn’t mean prices are going back to pre-pandemic levels. For proof, look no further than the used car market. The last year has been tough if you’re a middle-of-the-pack consumer or retailer. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 15, 2023•7 min
Only Softbank Group would lose US$7.2 billion and give itself a little pat on the back. Space startup Vast partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch a school bus-sized space station into orbit by 2025, as more private companies race to capture low-orbit real estate. Canada’s search for health care workers continues! Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 12, 2023•9 min
After Google’s developer’s conference yesterday, online search might never be the same. Yesterday, Canada unveiled a new passport design that’s sure to draw some double-takes during your next international trip. A new report co-authored by former national security advisor Vincent Rigby found that not only did Canada’s allies leave it out of the AUKUS security pact, they never sent an invite. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 11, 2023•8 min
Developing countries are teaming up to take on the global monetary order as we know it. A pricing dispute in Canada’s crustacean heartland has crabby fishers calling out seafood processors for their shellfishness. It’s once again time to check in on the US debt ceiling debacle. Spoiler alert: Joe Biden and GOP lawmakers are no closer to reaching a resolution on raising the debt ceiling after the president met with Congressional leaders yesterday. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://...
May 10, 2023•9 min
The Bank of Canada (BoC) wants to know how you’d feel about swapping those cold hard coins for a less tangible alternative. When it comes to tech regulation, Europe is like the friend who sucks it up and calls the Uber when everyone pretends to stare off into space. Cracking down on AI is no exception. Want to get a free pair of Lululemon leggings? You just have to buy a fake pair first. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
May 09, 2023•8 min
In case you weren’t up at 4 a.m. on Saturday waiting with bated breath and a full English breakfast, King Charles III’s coronation was this morning, generating fawning and furor. From the role of AI in the writers' strike to IBM’s hiring freeze, it’s time to talk about how we plan to defend jobs against the robots. Wildfire season has arrived early in Alberta this year, forcing the province to declare a state of emergency over the weekend and expand evacuation efforts. Celebrating something? Let...
May 08, 2023•9 min
After weeks of speculation about the fate of a takeover deal that would make TD Bank the sixth-largest lender in America, the offer is officially off the table. The grocery code of conduct that would govern the actions of Canada’s grocers and their suppliers is in its final draft, but it’s still leaving top grocery critics hungry for more. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO - Loblaw purchase announcement: https://www.loblaw.ca/en/In-a-canadian-first...
May 05, 2023•13 min
If you’re been looking to gift that special someone a lightly used retail outlet, act fast: nearly half of the now-emptying 65 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Canada have been snapped up. These days, it’s easy to find yourself in the midst of planning your dream vacation only to checks bank account realize, you know what, a weekend camping trip is actually just fine. While bankers no doubt rejoiced after the US Federal Reserve signalled it would move to pause rate hikes, the sector is still full...
May 04, 2023•8 min
The Writers Guild of America (WGA)—the union representing 11,500 scribes behind American film and TV—is on strike after failing to reach a new deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, AKA, the suits that sign their cheques. It’s not every day an NHL team goes up for sale, so interest in buying the Sens is booming. Just in time for the movie about its dramatic rise and fall, BlackBerry is back in the news. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform...
May 03, 2023•9 min
After 12 days of picketing, most striking federal government worker strikes are back on the job. After realizing it couldn’t make a fashion line in partnership with freakin’ Beyonce marketable, Adidas is stepping back to reassess its entire business. British-Canadian computer scientist and University of Toronto professor Geoffrey Hinton—known as one of the three “Godfathers of AI”—stepped down from his role at Google’s AI division so he could freely talk about the dangers AI currently poses. Cel...
May 02, 2023•10 min
If you thought there already weren’t enough homes to go around, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) wants you to know you ain’t seen nothing yet. Faced with a litany of annoying bugs and bewildering product changes, many Twitter users are looking for an alternative—the question has always been, what would that alternative be? The federal government is making it easier for you to win arguments with airlines’ customer service departments. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://t...
May 01, 2023•8 min
Since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), it’s been tough sledding for US regional banks… and investors worry that First Republic could be the next to fall. Like a university student with a full course load, Hydro-Québec has taken on too much and is running low on energy… literally. Is commercial real estate the next domino to fall in our creaking global economy? A growing number of signs point to very possibly. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdY...
Apr 28, 2023•9 min
Microsoft’s proposed US$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is in jeopardy after the UK’s competition regulator delivered, to put it in gamer parlance, a 360 no-scope kill shot. What do Amazon and your ex have in common? Both face accusations of being way too controlling. The company synonymous with “affordable furniture” is working hard to keep it that way. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 27, 2023•8 min
On Alphabet and Microsoft’s earning day, let’s unpack the results… Pizza Pizza isn’t the only Canadian entity heading to Mexico. Soon, Canadian railcars will be making like us on Spring Break and taking trips down south. The contentious Bill C-11, or The Online Streaming Act, is set to pass in the Senate any day now. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 26, 2023•8 min
Pizza Pizza opened its first international location in Guadalajara, Mexico, as Canada’s largest pizza chain looks to expand its horizons beyond its provincial borders. If you’re looking to renew your passport, apply for Canadian citizenship, or send a 40-foot shipping container’s worth of stuff anywhere, this might not be your week. The Port of Vancouver is planning a serious update to its operations, but updating a port isn’t as easy as updating your phone’s operating system or your LinkedIn he...
Apr 25, 2023•9 min
Bed Bath & Beyond, the home goods retailer known for sky-high merch displays and really bright lighting, has finally thrown in the towel and filed for bankruptcy. Apple is expanding its push into the realm of mental health products with a new pre-downloaded app (codenamed Jurassic) that will utilize iPhone usage data to make suggestions for what to jot down If we learned anything from House of Gucci, it’s that the fashion biz isn’t always pretty. Celebrating something? Let us know here: http...
Apr 24, 2023•9 min
Every friend group has that one buddy that’s happy to have all the fun but let someone else foot the bill. In NATO, Canada might be that guy. As Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) workers hit the picket line, their fight for higher wages could disrupt more than just your spring travel plans. After over ten years in operation, BuzzFeed has pulled the plug on its news division. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 21, 2023•7 min
This year for Snap: Flying selfie drones are out, and everything augmented is still very in. Top travel destinations for 2023: Venice, Maui, Seoul, and… the Moon? In what’ll be the single-most newsworthy strike since Shohei Ohtani’s final pitch at the World Baseball Classic, Canada’s federal workers are hitting the picket line. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 20, 2023•9 min
President’s Choice spokesman and Loblaw President Galen Weston will step back from the day-to-day operations of Canada’s biggest grocer after two years at the helm. In the last few days, a new song featuring Drake and the Weeknd racked up over 600,000 Spotify streams and 15 million views on TikTok. The only problem? The artists didn’t make it. There are many reasons to be proud to be Canadian, but some Canuck companies are feeling a lot less patriotic when it comes to going public these days. Ce...
Apr 19, 2023•9 min
It’s not often that Google's parent company Alphabet takes an L, but yesterday, shares dropped after news of a potential disaster on the AI chatbot front broke. After ten months of withholding funding, the feds are hoping the black sheep of Canadian sports has turned a new leaf. Fair warning to all the hard-working remote workers (we include ourselves in that mix), this new set of remote work data might hurt a bit. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 18, 2023•9 min
Your car dashboard is shaping up to be the next front in the fight to own the screens we look at all day. When you think of a warehouse, you probably think of rusted shipping containers or movie fights scenes, not a bountiful harvest. Vertical farming may change that perception. Companies are using the “Santa Claus” method to win over customer service reps, i.e. showering them with practical gifts. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak.typeform.com/to/MNdYA3TO
Apr 17, 2023•9 min
Like a pitcher waving off his catcher’s pitch…Canada’s largest diversified miner is repeatedly fending off the advances of an unwanted suitor. The federal government wants a shiny new battery supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs). Capitalizing on Foxconn’s move away from China might be one way to nab it. “How’s the weather out there today?” might be a simple question to ask, but coming up with an answer is a multi-billion dollar industry. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepe...
Apr 14, 2023•8 min
Tiff Macklem is nothing if not a man of his word. Despite mounting pressures, the Bank of Canada (BoC) kept its promise and continued to hold steady on interest rates. Canadian tax courts are cracking down on TFSA day trading, taking aim at investors that are doing so well that their trades could be classified as a business activity… well, kind of. Big Canola is betting that canola oil will be used to deep fry potatoes and power vehicles. Celebrating something? Let us know here: https://thepeak....
Apr 13, 2023•9 min
