Shares of BlackBerry plunged more than 28 per cent in early trading after the smartphone maker’s latest results fell short of analyst expectations and it warned that further losses were likely to come next quarter. CTV
Aeroplan says it may move to the TD Visa
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Behind-the-scenes dealing with two major banks over the right to stamp their Visa card with the Aeorplan name is now being played out in public. There’s probably a good reason for that as Aeroplan — which is operated by Aimia Inc.– seeks to enlist cardholder support to improve its position with the banks. Aimia says it has an open mind about replacing CIBC as its bank credit card partner at the end of 2013 unless the Commerce matches contractual terms offered by TD Bank. Aeorplan has been a CIBC product for as long as most of its cardholders can remember. It started as an Air Canada frequent flyer program. In recent years Aeroplan has evolved into an extensive loyalty scheme operated by Aimia Inc. “It’s basically a battle for Canada’s most affluent credit card holders. That’s a key and attractive market to essentially own,” Kenric Tyghe, industry analyst at Raymond James told the Star. The potential bidding war between the banks was set up as Aimia announced what it called groundbreaking changes to Aeroplan to take effect Jan. 1, 2014. The company’s new Distinction recognition program will reward top-accumulating members with flight reward benefits, bonus mile offers, and preferential treatment. As well, Aeroplan plans to cancel its current policy where unredeemed miles expire after seven years. Instead, miles will not expire as long as members stay active in the program with at least one accumulation or redemption activity every 12 months. ,
Persistent BCE poised to buy Astral Media
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The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has approved Bell’s proposed acquisition of Astral Media. As part of its second bid, Bell had offered to sell some of Astral’s specialty TV channels and radio stations to satisfy CRTC concerns that it would be too dominant in the market.
Laureen Harper helps clean out flooded basement
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If anyone wondered if living in 24 Sussex Drive has softened up Laureen Harper, they should have seen her go Wednesday. The prime minister’s wife — along with a whole bunch of Calgary MPs, friends and assistants — cleaned out literally tonnes of garbage from flood-damaged Calgary-area homes, helped deliver tonnes of food at the Morley reserve and then — after putting in a solid eight hours of work and travel, continued on to Exshaw, where she helped clean out a couple more damaged homes. Calgary Herald
Canada Day weekend events and road closures
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Here are weekend events that will cause slowdown in traffic.
Church Street Pride Festival – Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1 – Church Street from Carlton Street to Hayden Street will be closed from Friday, June 28 at 6 p.m. to Monday, July 1 at 6 a.m.
Pride and Remembrance Run – Saturday, June 29 – Wellesley Street from Jarvis Street to and including Queen’s Park Circle will be closed on Saturday, June 29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Dyke March – Saturday, June 29 – All roads in the route will be closed between noon and 5 p.m. (The march takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.) – March route: begins at Church and Hayden Street, proceeds north on Church Street to Bloor Street East, west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to Carlton Street, east on Carlton Street and finishes just before Sherbourne Street.
Pride Parade – Sunday, June 30 – All roads in the route will be closed for varying periods between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (The parade takes place from 2 to 6:30 p.m.) – Formation area: Rosedale Valley Road, from Bayview Avenue to Park Road. – Parade route: begins at Church Street and Bloor Street East, proceeds west on Bloor Street East to Yonge Street, south on Yonge Street to finish at Dundas Street. Pride Concert at Yonge-Dundas Square – Sunday, June 30 – Yonge Street from Dundas Street to Queen Street will be closed from 1 p.m. to midnight.
Canada Day Celebrations at Mel Lastman Square– Yonge Street, from North York Boulevard to Park Home Avenue, will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 7 to 11 p.m.
Canada Day Celebration at Queen’s Park – Queen’s Park/Queen’s Park Circle from College Street to Hoskin Avenue will be closed on Monday, July 1 from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Canada Day Parade in Scarborough – Brimley Road will be closed from Progress Avenue to Ellesmere Road from 1 to 6 p.m. and from Ellesmere Road to Lawrence Avenue East from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 1. – Ellesmere Road will be closed from Midland Avenue to McCowan Road from 4 to 5 p.m.
Corktown Common to open Friday, June 28
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Corktown Common, Waterfront Toronto’s newly-named park in the West Don Lands off Bayview Ave. will open to the public on June 28. A key component of the revitalization of the area, Corktown Common is intended to become the heart of a new waterfront community.
Homeless honey bees land on yellow backhoe
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A swarm of around 45,000 honeybees descended on a construction site at Toronto’s Union Station Wednesday. The bees landed on a piece of yellow equipment at the Front Street and York Street area and remained there until pest control specialists showed up just after noon. “When they swarm like that, they’re just looking for a new home,” said Paul Hayden, owner of Bees and Pest Removal in Toronto and a beekeeper for four decades. National Post
Elgie House selling price was $2.5 million
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The historic home known as Elgie House at 262 Bessborough Drive sold for $2,5 million. The asking price had been $2.75 million. The sale has been confirmed and information published by the Toronto Real Estate Board. Previous post.
Want a short commute? Move to Thunder Bay
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It’s sometimes hard not to laugh over the apparent expectations of “congestion” experts for commute times. Today its reported that “all those stuck on the Gardiner Expressway (and) the Don Valley Parkway” should know that their time in transit is “the longest among Canada’s big cities.” Statistics Canada puts the average trip at 32.8 minutes. Shorter than New York and Washington but not much. Then, seemingly with a straight face, writer Bruce Campion-Smith, in the Star, adds that among Canada’s “metropolitan areas” Saguenay, Thunder Bay and Moncton have the quickest average commute at 17 minutes. This would seem to say it all. If you want to flit to work in mere moments, go to Thunder Bay or maybe get a position down the street.
Jack will march Monday in his RCN uniform
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| Young Jack Aldred |
Jack Aldred of Cosburn Ave. will march in the Canada Day Parade in his 1940s issue Royal Canadian Navy uniform this coming July, 1 — and it will be legal. The RCN has apologized for an order to WWII vets, like 89-year-old Jack, that they needed official permission to wear their uniforms. Of course that’s not what the Navy intended to say. As reported in the Star: “Apologizing for the “confusion” and “insult” it may have caused to veterans, the Royal Canadian Navy has clarified an order that seemed to require vets to obtain permission to wear their uniforms. In a letter written Monday, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman said “wartime patterns, historic headdress, medals, and uniforms that are no longer in use” were not intended to be included in the Navy order. “Their use in celebrating previous service and sacrifice should continue and be encouraged,” he wrote. Read about Jack Aldred and his plans for Canada Day.
John Tory “considering” a run for mayor
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| Barbara Hackett and John Tory |
John Tory has told Stephen LeDrew on CP24 that he is “considering” another run for mayor of Toronto. Mr. Tory said he had had so many people tell him to run that he just couldn’t help but think about it. The accomplished 59-year-old lawyer and talk show host is still youthful-looking with a full head of hair. His wife, Barbara Hackett, is a strong and congenial public wife. It is whispered around Toronto that Mr. Tory and Ms Hackett’s recent vacation in Turkey was an opportunity for the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party leader to persuade his wife to join him in another dive into politics. She had been a huge support during his loss in the 2003 mayor’s race to David Miller. In 2007 Tory faced the defeat of his own party and personal defeat in the riding of Don Valley West. He lost to Kathleen Wynne. It is said that Barbara Hackett felt that her husband should give up politics for good. But today, it seems, there is at least a chance that we may yet see John Tory back on the municipal ballot for mayor.
RBC to finance new stock exchange for Toronto
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The Royal Bank is a major player in a plan to start a new stock exchange in Toronto. The exchange would compete with the dominant TMX Group and it would prohibit so-called high-frequency trading, one of the most contentious issues for small traders. The new exchange operator, Aequitas Innovations the new exchange is expected to launch in late 2014. It will solicit business from retail and institutional investors who complain they have been short-changed by predatory high-frequency trading practices. Reuters