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CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Foreign investors continue to reduce exposure to Canadian equities: StatCan
Statistics Canada building and signs are pictured in Ottawa on July 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick New data suggests that Canadian securities are falling out of favour with foreign investors, while Canadians are investing more of their money abroad. On Thursday, Statistics Canada released tracking data on Canada's international securities transactions in May, which found there was 'strong foreign divestment in Canadian shares' during the month. 'Foreign investors reduced their holdings of Canadian securities by $2.8 billion in May, a fourth consecutive monthly divestment,' the agency said in a release. 'In May, non-resident investors reduced their exposure to Canadian shares by $11.4 billion. On a sector basis, the divestment in May was widespread, led by shares from the energy and mining, management of companies and enterprises, as well as manufacturing sectors.' Foreign investors did, however, increase their holdings of Canadian government bonds, acquiring $13.1 billion compared to a $25.1 billion divestment in April. 'The activity in May reflected foreign acquisitions of provincial (+$8.0 billion) and federal (+$6.9 billion) government bonds, which were moderated by a divestment of $4.2 billion in private corporate bonds,' said StatCan. Despite the overall divestment in Canadian shares, Canada's benchmark stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, increased by 5.4 per cent in May compared to April after three consecutive monthly declines. Canadians move money out Canadian investors, meanwhile, increased their exposure to foreign securities by $13.4 billion in May, up significantly from $4.1 billion the month before, according to StatCan. 'In May, investors targeted U.S. shares, while reducing their exposure to U.S. government debt instruments,' the agency said. 'Canadian investors bought $11.5 billion of foreign shares in May, the largest investment since February. Sizable acquisitions of U.S. shares (+$14.2 billion) in May were moderated by sales of non-U.S. shares (-$2.8 billion).' The benchmark American stock index, the S&P 500, increased by more than six per cent in May compared to April after it, like the TSX, had declined for three straight months prior. StatCan said that when it came to Canadian purchases of foreign debt securities in May, investors mainly purchased U.S. corporate bonds and non-U.S. bonds, while reducing their holdings of U.S. government bonds and Treasury bills. As a result of increased investment abroad and the foreign divestment of Canadian securities, Canada saw a net outflow of $16.2 billion from its economy in May, marking 'a fourth consecutive month of net outflows, bringing the total to $83.9 billion,' said StatCan.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
E-scooter injuries are on the rise among both kids and adults, data and doctors say
People cross Elgin Street on e-scooters in Ottawa, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang TORONTO — The Canadian Institute for Health Information says e-scooter injuries are on the rise across the country. It released data Thursday saying that hospitalizations involving e-scooters for kids between five and 17 years old increased by 61 per cent from 2022-23 to 2023-24. The agency said hospitalizations for men between 18 and 64 went up by 22 per cent in that time period and went up by 60 per cent for women. The data shows the majority of e-scooter hospitalizations happened in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, said the number of kids and teens arriving in the emergency department with e-scooter injuries has been increasing over the last five years and some have been 'catastrophic,' including one 13-year-old boy's death in 2023. 'We see anything from minor scrapes and cuts and little lacerations that need a couple of stitches to ... traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding in the chest and abdomen, open fractures that need to go to the operating room to be fixed,' he said. Some children between four and six years old have been hurt while riding with their parents on an e-scooter, Rosenfield said, but injuries among teens riding on their own is more common. Among cases where the information is available, 80 per cent of the riders who end up in the ER aren't wearing helmets, he said. Rosenfield said he thinks the rise in injuries correlates to an increase in the popularity and affordability of e-scooters in recent years — together with a lack of understanding about how dangerous they can be. 'These scooters, much like everything electrified these days, have come down in price and have increased in power,' he said. 'Their acceleration and torque is tremendous. And most parents, when they're buying these things for their kids, are completely unaware of that.' Pamela Fuselli, president and CEO of Parachute Canada — a charity focused on injury prevention — said the laws around e-scooters vary between provinces and even municipalities. In Ontario, riders must be at least 16 years old. But in Toronto, e-scooters are not allowed on public roads or paths. And just east of the city in Oshawa, they're permitted under a pilot program. But people are clearly using them even where they're not allowed, Fuselli said. 'Even while a city may have a bylaw about this, they can regulate what's operated in public spaces, but then that has to be enforced. They can't really regulate what's sold,' she said. Fuselli said kids under 16 should not be riding e-scooters — and parents shouldn't be buying them for children younger than that. 'They look like toys, but they really are motor vehicles,' she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Montreal ranks as one of the ‘world's most polluted' major cities
The skyline of Montreal is obscured by a haze of smog, Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Graham Hughes/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Montreal has been named one of the most polluted major cities in the world on Tuesday morning. The air quality currently sits at an 'unhealthy' level of 152 according to IQAir, a Swiss company that specializes in protecting against airborne pollutants, developing air quality monitoring and air cleaning products. Updates to the index are provided on an hourly basis, comparing 126 major cities across the globe. As of 8:30 a.m., Montreal is in sixth position in the world. The only cities that tested worse are: Baghdad, IRQ Kinshasa, COD Santiago, CHL Hanoi, VNM Manama, BHR The only other Canadian city to make the top 10 is Toronto, Ont. Contrarily, Vancouver, BC. ranked the world's best city when it comes to air quality. IQAir recommends that Montrealers wear a mask when outside, avoid outdoor exercise, close windows to avoid dirty air and run an air purifier if possible. Overall, the company notes that Montreal usually does have good air quality, 'despite a large and ever-growing population coupled with extensive industry and other related anthropogenic activity.'
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Severe thunderstorm watch, heat warning in effect for Ottawa-Gatineau
A person wears flip flops as they ride their bike through a puddle in the Byward Market as rain falls in Ottawa, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Environment Canada is advising of the possibility of severe thunderstorms as extreme heat continues to bake the nation's capital Sunday. The national weather forecaster issued a severe thunderstorm watch this morning for Ottawa and Gatineau about a line of thunderstorms possibly developing over the region this afternoon and early this evening. Hazards could include wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, heavy downpours and toonie sized hail. Strong wind gusts can damage trees, buildings and overturn vehicles, Environment Canada says. The watch includes most of eastern Ontario but excludes parts of the Ottawa Valley, including Pembroke and Petawawa. A heat warning issued on Friday remains in place as a prolonged period of extremely hot and humid conditions continues. Daytime highs are expected to reach 31 C in Ottawa on Sunday, but humidex levels could make it feel like 40. The heat is expected to ease somewhat Monday with hotter and more humid conditions returning on Tuesday. The sweltering conditions are forecasted to dissipate on Thursday. Environment Canada recommends taking action to protect yourself and others from the heat, especially those who are at greater risk of heat illness. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Call 911 if anyone is showing signs of heat stroke. The City of Ottawa has a map showing places where residents can cool off. Ottawa weather A mix of sun and clouds Sunday with a 30 per cent chance of showers changing to a 70 per cent chance of showers this afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. High 31 C. Humidex 40. Tonight will be mainly cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of showers changing to a 30 per cent chance near midnight. Risk of a thunderstorm this evening and overnight. Monday will be sunny with a high of 30 C which could feel like 37 with the humidity. The evening will be clear with a low of 19 C. Tuesday will be sunny with a high of 33 C. Wednesday will be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 33 C. The early weekend outlook shows a break from the extreme heat with highs in the mid-20s.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada seeks pact with Southeast Asian countries to diversify trade
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand speaks to reporters in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Canada is seeking to finalize a free trade deal with Southeast Asian nations as part of a push to expand into new markets, its top diplomat said, responding to the hefty tariffs imposed on it by the United States, its neighbor and largest trade partner. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Canada intends to continue a mutilateral trade relationship with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Canada believes the global economy will be driven by the Indo-Pacific region in the years ahead, she added. 'The work is being done with alacrity to finalize the text of the free trade agreement,' Anand told Reuters in an interview, following her meeting with counterparts from the ASEAN bloc in the Malaysian capital. 'It is complex but we are very much looking forward to it being completed as soon as possible,' she said, without providing further details. Anand said the ASEAN-Canada FTA is one of the ways Canada can diversify its trade relations beyond the Group of Seven nations. Beyond trade, Canada will also work with ASEAN on energy, food security, digital economy and artificial intelligence, she added. Canadian companies are boosting trade with allies other than the United States, and with smaller markets, as they try to minimize the economic damage from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, government data has shown. Canada, the top supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States, faces tariffs imposed by Trump on both metals and on auto exports. The government is hoping to reach a trade deal with Washington by July 21 and could impose counter-duties on the United States if no agreement is reached. Anand declined to comment on how the talks are progressing, but said Canada was looking forward to a constructive deal with the United States. 'Our trade negotiators... are engaged in the complex trade negotiations to ensure that Canada's interests are put forward in the best possible way,' she said. (Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by David Stanway)
