Should Canada launch its own automaker? One industry voice says it's time to seriously consider it
Flavio Volpe outlines his vision for a Canadian-owned automaker during a Canadian Club Toronto panel on May 21, 2025. (Source: Canadian Club Toronto) (Picasa)
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Winnipeg Free Press
36 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Interest in ‘elbows up' merchandise waning ahead of Canada Day, businesses say
When Rachael Coe decided to launch an 'elbows up' merchandise line at her store in Yarmouth, N.S., in March, she said it was an immediate bestseller. Within a week, Coe said her Timeless Memories shop had already made 400 sales. By the end of the first month, she had sold 2,500 products ranging from T-shirts to hoodies to car decals. Demand for items bearing Canada's rallying cry against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats was so high that Coe launched a website to keep up with the surge. 'It was a response from all over Canada,' she said. 'We reached every single province then we started covering worldwide. Our 'elbows up' merch went everywhere.' Many Canadian businesses hopped on the patriotic trend that also saw Ontario Premier Doug Ford wearing a 'Canada is not for sale' ball cap ahead of a January meeting with Canada's premiers and prime minister. But Coe's sales started slowing down by May. And despite a slight boost ahead of Canada Day, she said the 'elbows up' line is now selling at similar rates to the classic red-and-white merchandise she sells every year around this time. Although business owners say they are selling more Canada-themed products this year leading up to July 1, many have also noted a decline in 'elbows up' merchandise sales. The rallying cry, initially embraced as a grassroots movement at the height of cross-border trade tensions and Trump's musings about making Canada the 51st state, has shifted to a more generic expression of Canadian pride amid continued tensions, retailers and experts say. Others note that the phrase 'elbows up' has increasingly been used in a partisan context, contributing to the marketing shift. Stephanie Tomlin, Toronto-based owner of the online business Shop Love Collective, said she saw an explosion in 'elbows up' merchandise sales in March, selling as many as 10 or 15 products per day. Similarly, her sales began to stagnate in May. Leading up to Canada Day, she said she's selling 'quite a bit more' merchandise compared with previous years, but that's due to interest in Canada-themed products across the board. 'I think the climate in Canada is a little bit more settled after the election and that … we feel like we will never be the 51st state,' Tomlin said, adding that Canadian patriotism is becoming less combative as annexation talks have died down. Howard Ramos, a professor of sociology at Western University, said 'elbows up' became 'more partisan than it used to be' when Prime Minister Mark Carney embraced the phrase in his election campaign ads in late March. 'It's just added to how the expression is dying down as a pan-Canadian claim,' he said. 'Now you see on social media, especially from Conservative handles, the use of 'elbows up' in a sarcastic way to criticize Mark Carney or Liberal policies.' Negative online comments about the 'elbows up' movement have discouraged Coe from promoting her products on Facebook. But when she's interacting with customers in her Yarmouth shop, she said the phrase isn't as divisive. 'It's not a political term, and it simply means that you're defending your country, and everyone should be defending our country, just like you would defend (against) a goal in hockey,' Coe said. Danielle McDonagh, owner of Vernon, B.C.-based Rowantree Clothing, said she stopped promoting her 'elbows up' merchandise on a large scale when she noticed the phrase being interpreted as an 'anti-Conservative' and 'boomer' movement. For McDonagh, increased concern about the political climate in the United States has also chipped away at the lightheartedness of the 'elbows up' movement. 'I think some of the levity is gone for me,' she said. While sales of her 'elbows up' products have dropped by about 90 per cent since hitting 1,000 in the first month, she said she continues to promote the merchandise in small batches at local markets in Vernon. Business owners say their customers continue to prioritize supporting the Canadian economy, as they are routinely answering questions about where their products are manufactured. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. And the push to buy Canadian isn't just coming from this side of the border. Coe said many American tourists arriving by ferry from Maine visit her shop in search of Canadian merchandise. '(Tourists) want to support us just as much as Canadians want to support us,' Coe said. McDonagh said her business sees similar interest from Americans. 'I'm shipping a lot of Canada-centric merchandise to the States, which I just love,' McDonagh said. 'People chat with me on my site and say … we're supporting you.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Here's How You Can Build Up a $1 Million Portfolio Even if You Have $0 in Savings Right Now
It's never too late or too early to start investing in the stock market. Even if you don't know much about stocks, there are easy ways to gain exposure to a wide range of companies through a single investment. By doing so, you can keep your risk relatively low while also setting yourself up to achieve some significant gains over the long term. If you don't have any money saved up today, you can still build up a portfolio of more than $1 million in the long run. As long as you have more than 30 investing years left and can afford to set aside $350 per month, you can set up a strategy for creating a portfolio worth more than $1 million. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » When investing for the long haul, focus on growth stocks To maximize your gains over the years, you'll want to invest in growth stocks because they have the most upside in the long run. While it may seem challenging to track the best growth stocks, an easy way to accomplish this is by investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks them. The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) can be the ideal investment for this purpose. The Invesco ETF holds a portfolio of 100 stocks -- the largest non-financial stocks on the Nasdaq exchange. It will rebalance and adjust over time to ensure that its holdings are reflective of the most valuable stocks on the exchange. Some examples of the stocks you'll get access to through this ETF today are Apple, Netflix, and Tesla. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.2%, which isn't terribly high, especially when you consider the impressive returns it has generated over the years; it has soundly outperformed the market. S&P 500 vs QQQ data by YCharts How many years will it take for your portfolio to reach $1 million? Investing $350 per month in the ETF can be a great way to slowly build up your position. At that rate, you would be investing about $4,200 per year. And if you can keep up that habit for the long haul, it can potentially make you a millionaire. Here's how your portfolio might increase in value over the years, at varying annual returns. The market has averaged a long-run return of 10% and in the table below, I've included that rate along with a scenario where the Invesco fund both does better and worse. Year 9% Growth 10% Growth 11% Growth 30 $645,566 $797,764 $990,580 31 $710,535 $885,735 $1,109,667 32 $781,599 $982,917 $1,242,536 33 $859,328 $1,090,276 $1,390,779 34 $944,350 $1,208,877 $1,556,177 35 $1,037,347 $1,339,897 $1,740,715 Calculations by author. If the fund averages a 10% return, it would take 33 years for your portfolio to be worth $1 million. This involves investing $350 per month throughout those years. If, however, the ETF's returns aren't that high and it averages a rate of 9% instead, it would take 35 years of regular monthly investing before your portfolio would reach $1 million. A lot hinges on that annual return. If it's lower than you expect it to be, then you can adjust by changing your expectations and planning to invest for longer, or by adding more money to your portfolio. This can be done by either increasing the amount of your monthly investment or by adding a large lump sum to boost your balance. The more money in your portfolio that's growing and benefiting from the effects of compounding, the quicker you can get to your goal of reaching $1 million. But even with no money in your portfolio today, you can still set yourself up on a path to build up a big nest egg by the time you retire. Should you invest $1,000 in Invesco QQQ Trust right now? Before you buy stock in Invesco QQQ Trust, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Invesco QQQ Trust wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $713,547!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $966,931!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to177%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 23, 2025
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
10 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now
Dividend stocks not only offer a regular stream of passive income but are also proven wealth-builders, especially if you invest in top-notch dividend growth stocks and reinvest the dividends. Doing so could even earn you monstrous returns over time due to the power of compounding. I prioritize dividend stability and growth over dividend yield, and with that in mind, I have found 10 incredible dividend stocks you can buy and even double up on right now. The best part is that some of these stocks offer a rare combination of both dividend growth and a high yield. 1. Realty Income: Yield 5.6% Realty Income (NYSE: O) is the only stock on this list that pays a monthly dividend. Since Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT), it pays out most of its profits in dividends and has therefore paid a dividend regularly since going public in 1994. However, Realty Income has also increased its dividend by 130 times since then, largely due to its hugely diversified portfolio of over 15,000 properties that generate rent under long-term, triple-net leases. While the diversity insulates Realty Income from economic shocks, the triple-net lease structure ensures low costs and high margins. Realty Income is on solid footing, but the stock is trading 30% below all-time highs, making it a fantastic high-yield dividend growth stock to buy right now. 2. NextEra Energy: Yield 3.2% NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is the largest electric utility in America, the world's largest producer of wind and solar energy, and a leader in battery storage. The business combines stable cash flows from utilities with growth from renewables, which explains why NextEra Energy hasn't just paid a regular dividend since 1991 but also increased it every year for over 20 years now. NextEra Energy's renewables and storage pipeline alone currently stand at almost 300 gigawatts. With the company projecting 6% to 8% annual growth in adjusted earnings per share and around 10% annual dividend growth through at least 2026, it's an attractive blue chip dividend stock to double up on now. 3. Enterprise Products Partners: Yield 6.9% Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) is one of the best oil and gas dividend stocks you can buy. EPD data by YCharts. Whether you go back five, 10, or 20 years, the stock's dividends have contributed significantly to shareholder returns. Enterprise Products generates steady cash flows under long-term, fee-based contracts for its midstream energy services and tops that with consistent growth spending. With $6 billion worth of projects coming online this year, Enterprise Products' cash flows should continue to rise. The stock has raised its dividend for 26 consecutive years and yields a hefty 6.9%, making it a rare high-yield dividend growth stock to buy. 4. Brookfield Infrastructure: Yield 4.2% Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE: BIPC)(NYSE: BIP) owns large assets, such as electric and gas utilities, rail and toll roads, midstream energy pipelines, and data infrastructure, most of which are regulated or contracted and generate stable cash flows that support dividends throughout all economic cycles. Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend every year since 2009, increasing it by a solid 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). It now expects to grow funds from operations (FFO) by over 10% and annual dividends by 5% to 9% in the long term, driven by investments riding global trends, such as digitalization and decarbonization. That, coupled with a dividend yield of 4.2% for the corporate shares or 5% for units of the partnership, makes it a rock-solid dividend stock to buy. 5. American Water Works: Yield 2.4% American Water Works (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S. In addition to 14 million consumers, the company also serves 18 military bases. It is the kind of low-risk business that can reward shareholders richly over time. American Water Works plans to spend a whopping $40 billion to $42 billion on infrastructure over the next 10 years. That should ensure a steady base rate growth, which should drive earnings higher. The water utility expects its earnings per share (EPS) to grow at a compound annual rate of 7% to 9% in the long term, and its dividend growth to be in line with EPS. So, with the stock offering a potential hike of at least 7% in dividends per share every year, it's a no-brainer dividend stock to buy now for anyone looking to secure a steady stream of extra income for years, even decades, to come. 6. Waste Management: Yield 1.5% Waste Management (NYSE: WM) is North America's largest waste management services provider, and it generates recession-resilient revenues and cash flows. Waste Management recently forayed into a lucrative market -- medical waste -- by acquiring the largest player in the industry, Stericycle, for $7.2 billion. Waste Management now expects to generate annual cost synergies of $250 million, which is twice its original expectation. Meanwhile, the company also sees significant growth opportunities in markets such as recycling. WM data by YCharts. The company has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years, growing it at a CAGR of 7.4% over the past three years. Waste Management's stock has delivered a monster performance in the past and could continue to generate big returns, given the company's acquisition and management's goal of paying out 40% to 50% of its free cash flow (FCF) in dividends. 7. Brookfield Renewable: Yield 4.6% The International Energy Agency projects that global electricity generation from renewable energy sources to jump by 90% from 2023 to 2030. Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEPC)(NYSE: BEP) is one of the best stocks to play the renewable energy boom, given its massive and highly diversified portfolio of assets in hydropower, wind, solar, and distributed energy and storage. Almost 90% of the company's cash flows are contracted, making its dividends stable and reliable. Backed by a huge pipeline, Brookfield Renewable is targeting FFO growth of over 10% and annual dividend growth of 5% to 9% in the long term, making it one of the best dividend growth stocks to buy. 8. Caterpillar: Yield 1.6% Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) is a cyclical stock, and its earnings and cash flows ebb and flow with the economy. Yet, the company's dividend history is a testament to its brand power; its global leadership in huge industries, such as construction and mining equipment and off-highway diesel and natural gas engines; and management's prudent and shareholder-friendly capital allocation policies. CAT data by YCharts. Caterpillar's projected fall in revenue for 2025 made some investors jittery, but the company put all fears to rest by announcing a 7% dividend hike and marking its 31st straight year of dividend increases. Caterpillar remains committed to returning the bulk of its FCF to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks, making it a solid S&P 500 dividend stock to buy now. 9. Emerson Electric: Yield 1.6% Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) is a Dividend King, one of the handful of publicly listed companies in the U.S. that have increased their dividend payouts for at least 50 years. Emerson's 69-year streak, in fact, is one of the longest among the Dividend Kings. The automation giant makes intelligent devices, control systems, and software for some of the largest sectors and industries, including energy, chemicals, metals and mining, life sciences, and industrials. Emerson Electric generated a gross margin north of 50% and an operating margin of 18% in 2024, reflecting operational efficiency. Its FCF jumped 23% in the year, and the stock has doubled investors' money in five years. Given the massive growth opportunities in automation and Emerson's commitment to dividends, this dividend juggernaut is a solid stock to double up on. 10. Parker-Hannifin: Yield 1% Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH) is one of the most underrated and overlooked dividend stocks out there. The company has increased its dividend for 69 consecutive years and generated monstrous returns over the years. PH data by YCharts. Parker-Hannifin specializes in motion and control equipment and solutions, catering to large industries such as aerospace, defense, and manufacturing. It generated $20 billion in revenue in 2024 but estimates the market size to be around $145 billion, presenting significant growth opportunities. Over the past three years, Parker-Hannifin grew its revenue at an 8% CAGR. It recently bumped its 2029 financial targets and expects to grow adjusted EPS at a 10% CAGR and generate a FCF margin of 17%, paving the way for bigger dividends. Should you invest $1,000 in Caterpillar right now? Before you buy stock in Caterpillar, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Caterpillar wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $713,547!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $966,931!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to177%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 23, 2025 Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Emerson Electric, NextEra Energy, and Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Enterprise Products Partners, and Waste Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
