logo
Why these landlords blame real estate agents for their bad tenants

Why these landlords blame real estate agents for their bad tenants

CBC5 days ago
In a tight rental market, many small landlords are turning to real estate agents to help find reliable tenants, but it doesn't always work out that way. For The National, CBC's Eli Glasner breaks down whose responsibility it is to screen potential tenants and why there's a push for change.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sudbury's Valley East twin-pad arena gets $10M in provincial funding
Sudbury's Valley East twin-pad arena gets $10M in provincial funding

CTV News

time22 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Sudbury's Valley East twin-pad arena gets $10M in provincial funding

The Minister of Sport announced $10 million for a state-of-the-art facility in Valley East featuring two NHL-sized accessible rinks and a multipurpose gymnasium The Ontario government is providing $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario, with the largest share – $10 million – going toward Greater Sudbury's long-awaited Valley East Twin-Pad Multipurpose Sports Complex. Neil Lumsden Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden announced $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario while in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) Provincial funding supports arena upgrades, economic growth The funding, announced Friday by Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden and Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie, is part of the province's $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. The Greater Sudbury project, estimated at nearly $50 million, will feature two NHL-sized accessible rinks, a multipurpose gymnasium, daycare facilities, a café and administrative offices, positioning it as a community hub and potential event venue. 'The Twin Pads we have been talking about for over a decade now, but the city has always said we would only advance it if we had other levels of government funding,' said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. 'The province of Ontario established a $200 million fund for the whole province – we received 5% of that fund for Sudbury alone. That is the $10 million, which is really a recognition, I believe, by the province of the importance of Sudbury to the overall economy of Ontario.' Sport as an economic and social driver Minister Lumsden emphasized the broader impact of recreational investments, particularly in northern communities. 'I feel real strong that sport does so much more than just having people running around a field – it makes a big difference in communities,' he said. 'Especially on the sport tourism side, which drives revenue back into a community for weekends at a time. People don't always think about that, but it's important to all the businesses here.' Funding announcement - Sudbury - July 18 The Ontario government is providing $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario – including $10 million going toward Greater Sudbury's Valley East Twin-Pad Multipurpose Sports Complex. Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg, Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden and Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie are shown at the announcement in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) The province framed the funding as part of its strategy to counter rising costs while promoting active living and economic resilience. 'At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services,' Lumsden said in a news release on July 18. Smaller communities benefitting from repairs, upgrades Beyond Sudbury, the new sports infrastructure funding allocations include: $1 million to replace the aging refrigeration system at Espanola Arena with an energy-efficient CO₂ system. to replace the aging refrigeration system at with an energy-efficient CO₂ system. $614,600 for critical repairs at Kashechewan Arena , including roof replacement and safety upgrades. for critical repairs at , including roof replacement and safety upgrades. $585,250 for renovations at Markstay-Warren's Multiplex to expand programming like pickleball and Zumba. for renovations at to expand programming like pickleball and Zumba. $484,100 to replace the roof at Temiskaming Shores' Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena. Philip Goodwin, the executive director of Kashechewan First Nation, highlighted the significance of the funding for his remote community. 'In a fly-in access community, having an operational arena is critical to bring people together through hockey tournaments, cultural events, and community gatherings,' he said. 'These much-needed repairs mean our children, youth, families, and the wider community will continue to have a safe and welcoming space.' Northern priorities and long-term vision Minister Pirie tied the investments to broader regional development goals. 'By investing in important community spaces, our government is helping to ensure our northern communities have the resources to support their health and well-being now and in the future,' he said. Funding announcement - Sudbury - July 18 Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden, alongside Minister of Northern Economic Development George Pirie and Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg announced $12.6 million in funding to upgrade recreation facilities across northeastern Ontario while in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 18, 2025. (Neil Lumsden/X) Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, echoed the sentiment, framing sports infrastructure as a tool for social cohesion. 'Investing in community sports isn't just about physical activity; it's about cultivating connection, inclusivity, and pride across generations,' he said. Next steps for Sudbury's twin-pad With provincial funding secured, Sudbury's twin-pad complex is expected to move forward after years of delays. The city will now focus on finalizing design and construction timelines, with the goal of creating a facility that serves both athletes and families. The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund program remains open to applications from municipalities, Indigenous communities, and nonprofits seeking support for repairs or new builds. Ontario's total infrastructure spending under the fund is part of a larger $200 billion provincial commitment to highways, hospitals, and other critical projects. With files from journalist Alana Everson

U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead
U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead

CBC

time23 minutes ago

  • CBC

U.S. commerce secretary dismisses question that free trade with Canada is dead

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is dismissing the question of whether U.S. free trade with Canada is dead, calling the notion "silly" and saying a substantial amount of Canadian goods enter the U.S. tariff-free under the current North American free trade deal. "We have a plan called [the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], virtually 75 per cent of all goods coming from Mexico and Canada are already coming tariff-free," Lutnick said in an interview on Face the Nation that aired Sunday morning on CBS. But in the same breath, Lutnick suggested tariffs on Canada are here to stay, for now. "The president understands that we need to open the markets. Canada is not open to us. They need to open their market. Unless they're willing to open their market, they're going to pay a tariff," he added. The commerce secretary's comments come days after Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in French there's "not a lot of evidence right now" that the U.S. is willing to cut a deal with Canada without some tariffs included. WATCH | Carney says 'not a lot of evidence' for tariff-free deal: Carney says 'not a lot of evidence' for tariff-free deals with U.S. 5 days ago But the prime minister also said on Tuesday that Canada has "almost free trade" with the U.S. — a reference to tariff exemptions granted to Canadian goods that are compliant with USMCA, known as the Agreement (CUSMA) among Canadians. According to an RBC report released last month, approximately 79 per cent of U.S. imports from Canada were "explicitly duty free" in January 2025. That figure rose to approximately 89 per cent in April. "Why should we have our country be wide open while theirs is closed? This is an 80-year wrong that President Trump is trying to fix, and our businesses are going to really, really enjoy it," Lutnick told host Margaret Brennan. CUSMA negotiations looming Lutnick also told Brennan that Trump "is absolutely going to renegotiate [CUSMA], but that's a year from today." "It makes perfect sense for the president to renegotiate it. He wants to protect American jobs. He doesn't want cars built in Canada or Mexico when they could be built in Michigan or Ohio. It's just better for American workers," he added. CUSMA is not officially up for renegotiation until 2026, but some Canadian business leaders and others have called on the federal government to kick-start talks for the sake of economic stability. There are also lingering questions over whether negotiations will yield another trilateral trade pact. Last November, Ontario Premier Doug Ford pitched ditching Mexico and signing a bilateral deal with the United States — a move Alberta Premier Danielle Smith agreed was worth exploring. That suggestion sent a chill through Canada-Mexico relations, but Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appear to be closing the gap. The two leaders met with each other in June during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., and "looked forward to meeting again in Mexico in the coming months," according to a news release published on the prime minister's website. Canada-U.S. trade talks continue Carney and his negotiating team continue to work toward a deal with Trump in hopes of avoiding the U.S. president's latest threat — a 35 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods. The U.S. president made the threat in a letter he posted on social media that was addressed to the prime minister. He said the tariffs would come into effect on Aug. 1 and that the United States would increase levies if Canada retaliates. Lutnick said the White House will cut better deals with large countries that open their economies "to ranchers, fishermen, farmers and businesses," but if they keep tariff barriers in place then "it seems fair" to impose levies. WATCH | Trump threatens 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods: Trump threatens 35% tariff on all Canadian goods | Hanomansing Tonight 10 days ago In his letter, Trump cited fentanyl "pouring" into the U.S. from Canada as the reason for his latest tariff threat, even though data continues to show minimal amounts of the drug are crossing the Canada-U.S. border compared to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also took a shot at Canada's supply management system, a long-standing irritant that he claims leads to Canada imposing tariffs as high as 400 per cent on American dairy products. High Canadian tariffs only apply if the agreed tariff-rate quotas on U.S. dairy imports under USMCA are reached or exceeded. The U.S.-based International Dairy Association , but also claims it's because of "protectionist measures" from Canada that limit exports.

B.C. billionaire hosts job fair in Toronto amid bid for Hudson's Bay leases
B.C. billionaire hosts job fair in Toronto amid bid for Hudson's Bay leases

CBC

time23 minutes ago

  • CBC

B.C. billionaire hosts job fair in Toronto amid bid for Hudson's Bay leases

Social Sharing A British Columbia billionaire seeking to acquire dozens of former Hudson's Bay leases held a job fair in Toronto this weekend to attract people to work at the properties— despite not yet leasing the retail spaces in the city. Ruby Liu signed deals with Hudson's Bay in May to buy up to 28 leases across Canada belonging to the defunct retailer and its sister banner Saks. So far, only three leases have been transferred. Liu hosted the job fair at the Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, drawing workers, vendors and former Hudson's Bay employees, who were hopeful and uncertain about the future of the store. "If she pulls this off, she will be a Canadian hero," said Sandi Kveton, who worked at Hudson's Bay for 27 years. "We're hopeful that she can get the leases. She's still fighting in court, so we really don't know if we have jobs or not." The three spaces in B.C. were transferred to Liu last month after receiving court approval. The Bay has yet to seek that assent for up to 25 more in properties held by other landlords, who are overwhelmingly opposed to Liu moving in because they say she's yet to provide detailed business plans. An Ontario judge adjourned a court hearing last Tuesday initiated by a creditor of Hudson's Bay seeking to terminate Liu's purchase agreement. The judge urged Liu, who is now parting ways with two law firms, to hire a lawyer to represent her and her plans to buy the leases. WATCH | Who is Ruby Liu?: Who is Hudson's Bay benefactor and billionaire Ruby Liu? 25 days ago Ruby Liu, a billionaire with a big vision, now has legal permission to take over the leases of three former Hudson's Bay department stores located at three malls already under her ownership. For more on the new Bay benefactor, we're joined by retail analyst Carl Boutet. Speaking through her CEO and translator, Linda Qin, Liu expressed optimism about the outcome of the hearing. "She's very confident that we are going to get the stores," said Qin on Saturday. "We want to prepare for the store openings." "It's very obvious that Ruby Liu is a qualified bidder." Plan faces pushback A Toronto lawyer said the different Bay creditors are still unsure if this is in the best interest of their financial situation. "It's a disagreement about whether or not the information that's been provided so far offers enough comfort as it relates to whether or not this is in the best interest of the different creditor groups," said Sherena Hussain, lawyer and founder of Academic Collaboration Consulting. "In many cases, they're looking to recover cents on the dollar." Liu has budgeted $84 million to transform former Bay spaces into Asian-style department stores offering shopping, dining, and entertainment. She plans to use the properties to open a department store named after herself. WATCH | B.C. billionaire Ruby Liu shares her vision for former Hudson's Bay locations: B.C. billionaire Ruby Liu shares her vision for former Hudson's Bay locations 13 days ago B.C. billionaire Ruby Liu is hoping to expand her mall empire by taking over 28 former Hudson's Bay retail space leases. She joined CBC's Gloria Macarenko with a translator to share her vision for the department stores, in her first interview with English-language media in Canada. A vendor attending Liu's fair on Saturday said he believes in her vision and that this is the change Canada needs. "She actually came here to invest her own money and revitalize the retail businesses, which is a positive thing for Canadian industry," said Jay Lim, the CEO of K-Beauty Canada. But retail expert Jim Danahy said this could be a challenge for Liu. "These are big square boxes without windows and not easily redeveloped," said Danahy, who's the CEO of CustomerLab. "She's got some experience renting retail space, not operating retail space." Many landlords also said in court that they think Liu doesn't have the suppliers, financing, or retail management experience to run a department store.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store