Nova Scotia gets high marks in internal trade report card: CFIB
The Nova Scotia flag flies next to the Canadian flag. (Source: Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)
The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) is giving Nova Scotia the highest mark in its report card on internal trade while the other Maritime provinces received more mixed evaluations.
CFIB is an advocacy group for small and medium-size businesses with 100,000 members. Its 2025 State of Internal Trade report looks at ongoing efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers.
'While progress to date has been encouraging, we also have seven different jurisdictions taking seven different approaches to mutual recognition. That kind of patchwork can wind up recreating the barriers it was meant to knock down,' said Ryan Mallough, vice-president of legislative affairs for CFIB, in a news release. 'The premiers and the prime minister have instructed the Committee on Internal Trade to reach a pan-Canadian mutual recognition agreement for December.'
The report broke down its grading of the provinces in three categories:
Canadian Free Trade Agreement exceptions (40 per cent of the grade)
Select barriers to internal trade (20 per cent of the grade)
Status of items from reconciliation agreements (40 per cent of the grade)
There was also a bonus indicator for provinces that accept the regulations and standards of other regions.
Nova Scotia, which introduced the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act last February, received an overall 'A' (9.4 out of 10) grade in the report. It scored an 'F' (2.3) for agreement exceptions, a 'D' (5.9) for select barriers and an 'A-' (8.9) for reconciliation agreements.
It also got an 8.5 for its bonus indicator.
Nova Scotia scored the highest on the report card with Ontario and Manitoba rounding out the top three with an 'A' (9.2) and an 'A-' (8.9), respectively.
Prince Edward Island landed in the middle of the pack with a 'B' (7.8). It got an 'F' (3.1) for agreement exceptions, a 'D' (4.7) for select barriers and an 'A-' (8.8) for reconciliation agreements. It scored a one for its bonus indicator.
New Brunswick scored two placements below P.E.I., earning a 'C' (6.6). It got a 'D' (4.8) for agreement exceptions, a 'D' (4.7) for select barriers and a 'B+' (8.5) for reconciliation agreements. It also got a one for its bonus indicator.
All three territories (Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories) scored the lowest overall with a 'D' grade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
22 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Victory Square Technologies Reports 2024 Results: Revenue Growth, Strategic Investments, and Portfolio Progress
Victory Square Reports $23 Million in Adjusted Revenue for 2024, Highlighting Portfolio Growth Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2025) - Victory Square Technologies Inc. (CSE: VST) (OTC Pink: VSQTF) ("Victory Square" or the "Company"), a venture builder that invests in and develops high-growth technology companies, is pleased to share a summary of key milestones and audited financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company delivered a year of meaningful progress across its portfolio, highlighted by record financial performance, strategic asset monetization, and accelerating growth in its healthcare investments. These results position Victory Square for continued execution, strong momentum and a clear vision for long-term shareholder value creation in 2025 and beyond. 2024 Financial and Strategic Highlights Adjusted Revenue: Victory Square generated approximately $23.0 million in adjusted revenue in 2024, up from $17.6 million in 2023. GAAP Revenue: $16.7 million in 2024, compared to $12.1 million in the prior year, representing a 39% year-over-year increase. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): $10.4 million in 2024, compared to $6.6 million in 2023. Gross Margin: $6.4 million in 2024, compared to $5.5 million in 2023. Asset Monetization: Completed the sale of BlockX to Edge Total Intelligence Inc. (TSXV: CTRL) in Q3 2024 for $1.7 million in listed shares. Strong Balance Sheet: including $6.16 million in cash and marketable securities, providing ample resources to fuel future growth and pursue strategic initiatives. Please see SEDAR+ for the Company's condensed consolidated audited financial statements and MD&A for audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. Hydreight Technologies: A Scalable Health Platform Hydreight Technologies Inc. (TSXV: NURS), a digital health company incubated by Victory Square, continued to scale its mobile wellness and telehealth platform across the U.S., achieving: $16.0 million in GAAP revenue for FY2024, up 39% YoY, and $22.3 million in adjusted revenue, up 31% YoY. Q1 2025 revenue of $6.53 million, up 34% YoY, with positive net income and adjusted EBITDA of $163,000. National recognition including rankings on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 (Canada, #9), Fast 500 (North America, #56), and Ranked #13 on the Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2025 list. Expanded National Network: Hydreight's platform now supports a network of over 3,000 registered nurses and 200+ prescribing physicians, serving patients across all 50 U.S. states. In addition to its core clinical provider base, Hydreight powers 400+ direct-to-consumer (D2C) healthcare brands and multiple white-label wellness partners, enabled by its scalable, plug-and-play infrastructure. On December 31, 2024, Victory Square held a 64% stake in Hydreight and continues to support its platform expansion and growth across new healthcare verticals. Health Innovation: Strategic Initiatives in 2024-25 Victory Square deepened its commitment to digital health through several key initiatives: VSDHOne Platform: A national, plug-and-play infrastructure for launching compliant direct-to-consumer healthcare brands across all 50 U.S. states. $10M Health Accelerator: Designed to incubate and invest in digital health startups focused on areas like biomarker testing, peptides, tele-pharmacy, and longevity. Pet Health: Victory Square is evaluating the growing pet wellness sector, building on prior virtual care solutions for animals. Insu Therapeutics: Advancing Oral Insulin for Diabetes Care Another promising digital health holding in Victory Square's portfolio is Insu Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company developing a non-invasive, oral insulin tablet for people living with diabetes. Victory Square holds approximately 22.8% ownership in Insu, which originated from research at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Insu's tablet uses a buccal delivery system —absorbing insulin through the inner cheek-bypassing the digestive tract and mimicking the body's natural insulin absorption via the liver. Preclinical trials have demonstrated insulin uptake comparable to injections, with prolonged glucose control and improved liver targeting. This innovation addresses a global health need. According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 500 million people worldwide are living with diabetes as of 2021, with the number expected to rise to 783 million by 2045. The global diabetes therapeutics market is projected to reach USD $118 billion by 2032 (Source: Market Research Future, Key highlights from Insu's development roadmap: Filed U.S. and international patents covering its novel tablet formulation and delivery polymers. Pursuing an FDA 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, aiming to reduce development costs and timelines. Planning first-in-human trials in 2026, following preclinical success. Exploring domestic insulin tablet manufacturing to increase supply chain resilience. Insu is led by a multidisciplinary team: Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh (CEO & Co-Inventor): UBC Professor with 100+ publications and 7+ patents. Ammad Shorbaji (COO): Former senior executive at Sanofi with 25 years of regulatory and commercial experience. Dr. Tom Elliott (Medical Director): A leading Canadian endocrinologist with extensive clinical and academic credentials. Insu's work has garnered national and international media attention, with coverage from CBC, Global News, and other major outlets. This growing visibility supports early awareness as the company moves toward commercialization. Victory Square believes Insu Therapeutics represents both a strong commercial opportunity and a mission-aligned investment aimed at improving global health outcomes. The Company continues to support Insu through its next phase of growth and development. Outlook for 2025 and Beyond Victory Square enters 2025 with a strengthened balance sheet, a growing healthcare ecosystem, and a pipeline of high-potential assets. The Company's focus for 2025 includes: Scaling adoption of VSDHOne and expanding digital health verticals. Supporting growth of Hydreight and advancing Insu's clinical roadmap. Monetizing additional assets where appropriate. Continuing investment in biotech, health, and scalable technology platforms. " 2024 was a pivotal year for Victory Square," said Shafin Diamond Tejani, CEO. "We strengthened our balance sheet, scaled promising platforms, and unlocked value across the portfolio. We're committed to supporting innovation and creating long-term value for our shareholders in 2025 and beyond." Victory Square thanks its shareholders for their continued support and looks forward to sharing additional updates throughout the year. Sign up to VST's official newsletter at On behalf of the Board of Directors "Shafin Diamond Tejani" Director and Chief Executive Officer Victory Square Technologies Inc. For further information about Victory Square, please contact: Investor Relations Contact — Abbey Vogt Email: ir@ Telephone: 604 283-9166 Peter Smyrniotis — Director Telephone: 604 283-9166 ABOUT VICTORY SQUARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. Victory Square is a Venture Builder that provides investors a liquid way to invest in early-stage technology companies without buying a venture fund that requires accredited investor status or multi-year commitments. A diverse portfolio of 25+ innovative companies from around the world (founders come from: Ireland, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Australia, India, Brazil, the Middle East and North America) Sectors include: Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain/Web3, Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Gaming, Climate Tech Owner-operated (approx. 15% Management Ownership) Business Model: The Victory Square business model is to buy, build and invest in early stage tech companies. We spend upwards of 48 months with those companies until they're ready to spin-off or stand on their own. There are a couple of unique elements to our business model… We have unparalleled access to startups through our internal incubator and International network with over 250+ founders, investors, tech accelerators and venture capital firms from more than 60 countries. Second, our management team and advisors are actively involved in our investments from incubation through monetization, providing them with financial, operational, and strategic support to scale globally. We drive value by monetizing investments and reinvesting the gains in new innovations. The strategy was to build a self-sustaining business. VST is a publicly-traded company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (VST), Frankfurt Exchange (6F6) and the OTC Pink (VSQTF). For more information, please visit Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this news release are forward looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, execution of business strategy, future performance and future growth, business prospects, synergies and opportunities of the Company and its related subsidiaries, and other factors beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made, including, but not limited to the Company being able to capitalize on the acquired assets, the ability of acquired assets to maintain its value as presently contemplated, the synergies of the acquired assets with the Company's operations, and such other assumptions presented in the Company's disclosure record. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and GameOn disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release contains references to non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines Adjusted Revenue as gross cash income before adjustments for the deferred portion of business partner setup, license, and sponsorship fees and gross and accrued receipts from blockchain grant funding. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and before (i) transaction, restructuring, and integration costs and share-based payments expense, and (iii) gains/losses that are not reflective of ongoing operating performance including inventory impairment. The Company believes that the measure provides useful information to its shareholders and investors in understanding the Company's 2023 operating cash flow and may assist in the evaluation of the Company's business relative to that of its peers more accurately than GAAP financial measures alone. This data is furnished to provide additional information and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of other metrics presented in accordance with GAAP.
CTV News
23 minutes ago
- CTV News
Canadian flags selling fast in Montreal for July 1
With Canada Day approaching, Montrealers are snapping up flags and showing renewed national pride. Across the country, many people will be showing their Canadian colours on July 1, and it seems the maple leaf has been flying high since January for many Montrealers. At Le Flag Shop in Cote-St-Paul, owner Marc-Andre Bazergui said he's seen an increase in Canadian flag sales since the beginning of the year and a renewed pride for Canada Day amid the recent U.S. tension. 'A big rise in flag sales,' he said. 'People flying their flags in Quebec, the Canadian flag. It's always been a dilemma. Do I do I fly the Canadian flag? Fly the Quebec flag? So with everything happening in the South, the Canadian flag has kind of taken a new position.' Le Flag Shop customer Philippe Blais said buying and flying Canadian flags is his way to show unity. 'When they started talking about the tariffs and the whole bit, it was just very encouraging to see how the Canadians held together, how they basically mobilized in certain ways,' he said. 'How the premiers from the different provinces decided to work together.' One shopper came in to buy the Indigenous Canadian flag designed by West Coast Kwakwaka'wakw artist James Curtis Wilson. 'It's nice to have a flag that represents all Canadians, but also especially the people who have been the custodians of this land for a very long time, much longer than anyone in my family has ever been,' the shopper said. Curtis Wilson designed flag Kwakwaka'wakw artist Curtis Wilson designed an Indigenous themed flag, which is selling fast. (Christine Long/CTV News) In Pointe-Claire, Karen Robson and neighbour Dan Gelinas have been flying the flag since January. 'After a certain loud-mouthed, tiny, tiny-handed person started to threaten our sovereignty, so I thought, no, I'm not having it,' said Robson. 'First, they went up when Trump was saying that we should become the 51st state and we said, 'no way.'' said Gelinas. 'So we hung our Canadian flags up, and then we took them down, and now for July 1st, they're back up.' Canadians aren't usually known to be flag-waving patriots, yet, this year, there seemed to be renewed pride in this country. 'We're selling a lot of flags. I'm actually a little bit low on stock right now,' said Bazergui. All of his stock is made in Canada, of course.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Alberta government will appoint 'action team' to address classroom aggression
Alberta's education minister will be assembling a group of superintendents, teachers and school trustees to study how to best tackle what the government says is a rising incidence of aggression in classrooms. Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced an "aggression and complexity in schools action team" in Calgary on Monday, promising to consider some of the team's recommendations by fall. "Alberta's government believes that every student and every staff member deserves to feel safe, respected and supported at school, and we're taking concrete steps here today to make sure that that happens," Nicolaides said. The panel comes as Alberta's 51,000 public, Catholic and francophone school teachers belonging to the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) are in a legal strike position after voting 95 per cent in favour of job action. Among the top concerns are classroom conditions, including what they say are growing class sizes with more students who have labour-intensive or specialized needs. The complexities include a growing proportion of English-language learners, children with intellectual, behavioural or physical disabilities, and mental health challenges. "We recognize that this is a serious and growing issue, and that is why we are taking action today, immediately and in the long term, to ensure that every student and staff member has the supports that they need to thrive," Nicolaides said. The government is still finalizing a list of 20 team members, and their names will be publicly posted later. They will include school trustees from Edmonton and Calgary, ATA representatives, and the College of Alberta School Superintendents. The group's timeline for work will be six months. Nicolaides expects the team to submit to him a report with recommendations by fall 2025. Province wants 'practical' solutions However, the minister told reporters he doesn't have billions of extra dollars to invest in the system, and would not commit to acting upon costly solutions. "We really want to focus on what's really practical, what's really achievable," Nicolaides said. He said data gathering would be a part of the team's work, to get a better understanding of how often students act aggressively. He would not commit to restoring the collection of class-size data, which the UCP government eliminated in 2019. Speaking at the announcement, Alberta School Boards Association president Marilyn Dennis said her board, the Calgary Board of Education, has leaders and programs in place to address complex needs. The board needs more resources to roll them out to students, she said. ATA president Jason Schilling says he's pleased to see the government acting upon teachers' concerns about class complexity and violence. But he is concerned about the short timeline to find potential solutions. "Teachers are struggling to meet the needs of their students day in and day out," Schilling said. "We are seeing members leave the profession altogether." He said teachers know what they need to better meet student needs, and declining public funding granted per student is a major problem. Members who have experienced violence or aggression on the job say they need more teachers in schools, smaller class sizes, and mental health support for students with behavioural challenges, Schilling said. Failing to track class sizes will leave the government without a full picture of the challenges, he said. Advocate concerned about segregation The action team will also seek input from Inclusion Alberta, an organization that represents families of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. CEO Trish Bowman said in an interview Monday these students face barriers to accessing full-time classes with the general student population. Staffing shortages sometimes prompt schools to tell parents to keep their students home for part or all of a school day, she said. The government will have to go beyond boosting funds to hire more educational assistants, Bowman said. Success depends on leaders who get kids access to the right professionals, teachers having training and resources to help students with challenges, and having the time to understand and use those resources. "I'm not sure what can be more important than children and education and making sure that all children have access to a high-quality education," she said. Bowman worries the action team exercise will lead to more segregation of disabled students in specialized classrooms rather than shared classrooms with their more typical peers. She said research does not support this approach. "It's a concern for us that without access to the right training and resources, that the default answer becomes removing kids from the classroom and then, potentially, disciplinary practices that can be really harmful, like seclusion and restraint," she said. Premier Danielle Smith said last weekend on her Your Province, Your Premier radio show that some teachers rejected a contract offer from government because they do not feel safe on the job. Smith questioned whether there are places where integration of students with disabilities doesn't work. "We've gone down the path of inclusion for a very long time. I think most students can be included, but maybe some can't," Smith said.
