London Transit's new online booking system being utilized by 10% of paratransit riders
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
5 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Worried about financial scams and bad advice? Stick to the investing basics
The investment industry is complex, confusing and intimidating for many people, and it's made worse by fraud, bad advice and high-risk investments. This combination of factors can be such a turnoff that some people avoid investing altogether. And that's a problem because it means they miss out on the opportunity to build their savings, which is a crucial part of having enough money for life's big expenses like postsecondary education and retirement. While it would be great if fraudsters disappeared, this isn't going to happen. The scams become more believable all the time and have increased their reach thanks to social media. A recent example is the David Rosenberg scam, where his image was used to convince investors to buy high-risk stocks. There are things that social-media platforms and regulators can do to curb the targeting of investors, but scammers will always find a way around roadblocks, so individuals need to figure out how to avoid falling victim. David Rosenberg says investment scam using his name bilked victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars Unfortunately, many people feel ill-equipped to do so, with only 51 per cent of Canadians saying they have an understanding of investing. However, there are a few simple principles that everyone can follow. The surest way to avoid fraudulent and high-risk investments is to stick with the basics. While some people enjoy wading into the world of individual stocks, cryptocurrencies, and hedge funds, all anyone needs are guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). GICs are wonderfully simple and easy-to-understand products issued by financial institutions, making them safe and reliable. Mutual funds and ETFs are subject to regulation that requires the disclosure of standardized information in an easy-to-access format. This transparency keeps the financial companies accountable and gives investors the information they need to make good decisions. Once you start looking at unregulated investments (like private mortgages) or less regulated products (like hedge funds), you open yourself up to the risk of fraud, mismanagement and ultimately, losing money. Knowing what a reasonable rate of return is will also protect you from being lured into high-risk investments. A realistic rate of return on a portfolio of global stocks – which can be in the form of equity mutual funds or ETFs – is about 8 per cent per year on average. This is based on the historic returns of the U.S., Canadian and international stock markets. An investment that is touted as generating a significantly higher return than that should be questioned. You were targeted in a scam. Is your bank liable for the losses? The basic investment principle of risk and return says that you need to take on more risk to generate a higher return. While this principle works very well when it comes to GICs (low risk/low return) versus stocks (higher risk/higher return), unproven investments without a long track record cannot show this to be true. If an investment promises a high return, you have to question what kind of risk is being taken to generate that return – and that's not a risk that most people can afford to take. A good investment shouldn't need to be sold to you. There's a difference between getting advice on an investment and being sold an investment. Getting advice means someone is explaining what the product is, how much risk there is involved, how it has performed in the past, why it fits in with your investment plan, and how much it costs. Being sold an investment requires a marketing strategy: a way to grab your attention, hook you in, and ultimately convince you that you should buy it. Some signs to look out for that you are being sold an investment are eye-catching phrases like 'investment opportunity,' a sense of exclusivity or being let in on a secret, a promise of high returns, and a pushy or persistent salesperson – which can be anyone from an investment adviser to someone you met at the dog park. Investing is simple and there are no shortcuts to earning high returns. If you remember this, you should be able to spot a scammer from a mile away. Anita Bruinsma is a Toronto-based financial coach and a parent of two teenage boys. You can find her at Clarity Personal Finance.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Manitoba, Saskatchewan invest in Churchill port as trade war drags on
The Port of Churchill, nestled along the shores of Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba, has become an important piece of the puzzle as the Canada-U.S. trade war rages on. Expanding operations in Churchill has taken on new urgency and has been part of the national discussion over the last few months. 'We're building trade-enabling infrastructure for the future,' said Chris Avery, president and CEO of Arctic Gateway Group, which owns and operates the Port of Churchill. The port is currently Canada's only Arctic seaport serviced by rail, offering access to Europe and destinations around the world. 'Building this trade-enabling infrastructure will further enable the vast resources we have in Western Canada (to reach) global markets,' said Avery. The Port of Churchill has a brief operating window each summer —about four and a half months — due to ice in Hudson Bay. However, Avery says a University of Manitoba study shows the port could remain open longer due to climate change. 'Given their study and given the data they've collected for the past 40 years, the sea lanes can probably be open right now, without icebreaker, up to six months of the year,' he said. 'Beyond that - icebreakers can help us lengthen the shipping season to almost year-round.' Last week, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe signed an agreement with Arctic Gateway Group to upgrade infrastructure and modernize supply chains. Saskatchewan will connect producers and exporters to the Arctic trade corridor, and Arctic Gateway Group will be expanding investment in port and rail assets. Churchill Port Port of Churchill workers support arrival of Arctic Supply Ship. (Arctic Gateway Group) Kinew said the deal between the two Prairie provinces is a positive step. 'It's really exciting for Manitoba,' he said. 'It helps us to unlock mining in the North, and more agricultural exports in the South.' In recent years, the federal and provincial governments have invested millions of dollars in both the rail line and the Port in Churchill to build up a proper trade route through the Arctic. In March, Ottawa and the Manitoba government committed nearly $80 million to finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway and continue redevelopment of the Port of Churchill. Premier Kinew at the time said the project would help with long-term economic security. 'The memorandum of understanding is a good reinforcement of what we have been thinking for some time,' said Barry Prentice, a professor of supply chain management at the University of Manitoba. The Port of Churchill has mainly been used for grain shipments in the past but began shipping critical minerals in 2024. Prentice says there is a lot of economic opportunity, not just for Manitoba, but also for Saskatchewan and Alberta to move products through the Hudson Bay. 'You want to move bulk products, especially those that are somewhat storable, and potash fits in that category, minerals, petrochemicals, and lumber too, because they do produce forest products as well,' he said. 'There are lots of things we can move through the port, in addition to grain.' Avery echoed Prentice's statement. 'We expect to have more products that originate from Saskatchewan, come through the Port of Churchill and be exported to global markets as well,' he said. 'So, we'll see that volume grow as we work together and build that traffic, and we'll see the volumes grow, and we'll see different types of commodities go through the port.' All the talk about breathing new life into the Artic comes as welcome news for those living in the North. Port of Churchill Arctic Supply Ship is seen here at Port of Churchill on July 14, 2025. (Arctic Gateway Group) 'It goes to show how much potential our area on Hudson Bay has for shipping, for contributing to Canada's GDP as a whole,' said Joe Stover, a longtime Churchill resident. 'It's good for the country, because it's obviously another outlet for being able to ship — and helps with some of these bottlenecks that you see logistically across the country.' Stover worked at the port for 10 years. While he's happy to see investment and renewed interest in revitalizing the port, he hopes words turn into action. 'Let's just hope that the pressure stays on and things actually get done,' he said. 'We hear lots, in the past — 'Oh, Churchill, it would be great if we could do this. Churchill, Churchill, Churchill. Potential, potential, potential.' Let's just really hope that now this is a dollars-to-donuts, boots-on-the-ground, actual work going to get done.' As for Avery, he said results will start to show in the short term — but the real focus is on building the future. 'We are definitely focused on the medium and long term as well,' he said. 'And building this trade-enabling structure — which will then build more trade and opportunities to export our resources and commodities to global markets.'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
‘Something pretty special': N.S. cider appellation is a first in Canada
The Nova Scotia Cider Association has launched Canada's first cider appellation called 'Red Sky.' Poet Comeau, the owner of Lake City Cider and president of the Nova Scotia Cider Association, said the cider showcases the high quality of apples grown in the province. 'I think it's just about looking at what we have here in Nova Scotia and realizing that it's something pretty special,' said Comeau in an interview with CTV's Todd Battis on Friday. 'Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. It's just that connection to where we are and how unique Nova Scotia is.' Comeau said a cider can only be recognized as a 'Red Sky' if it meets certain standards. 'There's quality control, there's a blank tasting and you need to submit samples for the blind tasting to get though the qualifications. There are even things around sugar levels, acid levels, and you need to have a blend of apples and not one particular type.' There are currently nine qualifying ciders available across the province, said Comeau, with all of them being available at the NSLC around the end of August for a short period of time. Reducing interprovincial trade barriers With provinces changing rules around importing and exporting alcohol across the country, Comeau said it's important that Canadian products are being consumed by Canadians. 'I think that the best products that are made in Canada should be enjoyed by Canadians,' she said. 'It's going to take a little bit of time and reworking just because we are used to the way things used to work, but I think the idea about reducing some of those barriers is really about getting great products across Canada.' Comeau said ciders are different from other products as apples cannot grow in every climate. 'Apples don't grow everywhere. I think it makes our product a little more unique. It does create opportunities and markets where maybe they don't have cideries. I think a great way to promote something like 'Red Sky' is with that restaurant experience and pairing it with food and enjoying it with others.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
