Author: ovieoftoronto

WestJet is temporarily removing service between Toronto and Montreal for the winter, giving Canadian travellers fewer options. WestJet spokesperson Madison Kruger said, however, that the route will return in April. “The WestJet Group remains extremely committed to Eastern Canada,” said Kruger in an email. She added that WestJet is increasing its presence in eastern Canada with more non-stop flights to western Canada, “as well as providing more affordable leisure and sun travel opportunities across Canada.” Frank Fitzgerald is a loyal WestJet customer and was shocked to hear that the route he was planning on taking in the winter was suspended.…

The co-founder of a Toronto-based talent agency is facing fraud and theft charges after more than 60 people claimed they were owed over $600,000 in unpaid wages. Police say the victims had all signed on with Compass Artist Management Inc., to complete various acting assignments from different media companies. In exchange, the victims were promised a percentage of their wages from the assignments with the remaining percentage paid to the agency. However, a number of actors and other artists came forward to say they had not been paid for work they had done. Actress and dancer Golden Madison told CityNews last…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up for Global Economy myFT Digest and get it delivered straight to your inbox.The IMF chief warned of slower growth over the next five years, but said the global economy's “remarkable resilience” this year had reduced the likelihood of a painful recession in the coming quarters. Speaking in Ivory Coast ahead of the annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF in Marrakech, Kristalina Georgieva highlighted the “strong momentum” of the US economy and cited India as a bright spot. As a result, he said, the likelihood of a “soft landing” for the global…

Greater Toronto home sales slid 7.1 per cent last month compared with September 2022, with sales of semi-detached houses and townhouses particularly declining from last year. Last month’s 4,642 home sales also marked a 12.1 per cent month-over-month decline from August, according the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s latest market watch report.null Meanwhile, the average home price reached $1,119,428, a rise of 3.4 per cent from August and a three per cent increase from last September. New listings surged 44.1 per cent to 16,258 in September compared with extremely low levels in September 2022, when there were just under 5,000.…

A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay. FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said.null The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project will open in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where…

In today’s Big Story Podcast, the Canada Pension Plan is a world-renowned fund that controls hundreds of billions of dollars earmarked for our retirements. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, unhappy that Alberta contributes more to the fund than its citizens receive, has plans to leave the fund and start the Alberta Pension Plan — while taking more than half the CPP’s money on the way out the door. Graham Thomson, a political columnist and commentator, is on today’s episode.null “There’s a lot of money in the fund […] right? $575 billion. Provinces would love to get their hands on that, even…

Uber is adding a new task to its list of services: mailing consumers’ return packages. The ride-hailing and delivery company said Wednesday that its drivers will collect up to five prepaid and sealed packages and drop them off at a local post office or at UPS or FedEx stores. Uber will charge a flat fee of $5 for the service or $3 for its Uber One members. The San Francisco-based company said the service will be available in nearly 5,000 U.S. cities to start. Uber said customers will be able to choose package drop off locations within its app. Only…

“We must stop taking water for granted,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said at the opening of the Rome Water Dialogue, highlighting the importance of water in relation to soils, land, climate change, biodiversity and agriculture.Agriculture is responsible for more than 70 percent of the planet’s freshwater withdrawals, “and by increasing efficiency, reducing negative impacts and reusing wastewater, agriculture holds the solution to the global water crisis,” he said. FAO is helping countries develop technological solutions for rainwater collection and storage, map irrigation needs, provide data on water scarcity and assess the impact of floods on rural areas.The UN agency suggested…

Bell Media says its president Wade Oosterman, who also serves as vice-chair of parent company BCE Inc., is set to retire at the end of the year, to be replaced by Sean Cohan, who is joining the company in November. In a press release, the company says Cohan will join the BCE leadership team on Nov. 1, while Oosterman will remain in his role until January 2024 to ensure a smooth transition. In a statement, BCE president and CEO Mirko Bibic thanked Oosterman for his “leadership in making Bell a strong competitor in Canadian communications and media,” including having played…

India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, an official familiar with the matter said Tuesday, ramping up a confrontation between the two countries over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of public reaction from the Canadian government later Tuesday. The official confirmed an earlier report from the Financial Times. India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined comment. Trudeau would not confirm the reports, nor did…