While the pandemic has undeniably been a crisis of historic proportions, it has also reminded us that strong communities look after each other, that decisive collective action is possible, and that nature can recover if we give it a chance. We can find hope amidst crisis, and build back better than we were before.
Across Canada, hundreds of thousands of citizens mobilized to demand a just and green economic recovery for all: one that rebuilds our economy while caring for people and the environment.
We wrote letters, met with Members of Parliament, and attended massive virtual rallies. Our cause was supported by economists, labour unions, and nonprofits of all sorts. Even elected officials (some of them Kootenay-based) and business organizations stepped up.
Our voices were heard. The provincial and federal governments have both put forward economic recovery plans that invest in ecosystem conservation, renewable energy, clean transport, green tech, building retrofits, climate adaptation, plastics reductions and carbon footprint abatements by industry.
Now it’s our turn to bring these investments home and make our mountain communities more sustainable. How? By encouraging our businesses, municipalities and homeowners to take advantage of these programs. You can also support Kootenay organizations, including your local Wildsight branch. With your help we are working hard to steward our environment. Your talents and economic contributions can help seize these opportunities presented and do more!
Although promising, the recovery incentives are not large enough to move our society on a path to sustainability. For this reason, people must continue pushing governments and corporations to invest in a green economy, and hold them accountable to their promises of protecting our land and waters, so that future generations can thrive.
At the same time, each of us needs to keep examining our own consumption habits, and choose alternatives that are better. Vote with our dollars, as they say, and support companies that are doing their share for the planet.
2021 is just starting and there’s already so much to do! Let’s roll up our sleeves and make it a year for the planet and all living things. And when you are lacking inspiration and energy, take a walk in the outdoors, enjoy the fresh forest air, marvel at the snow-capped mountains and watch the birds take flight… even a small encounter with the wild will remind you it is all worth it.
TORONTO – Strength in the base metal and technology sectors helped Canada’s main stock index gain almost 100 points on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also climbed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 93.51 points at 23,568.65.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 297.01 points at 41,393.78. The S&P 500 index was up 30.26 points at 5,626.02, while the Nasdaq composite was up 114.30 points at 17,683.98.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.61 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The October crude oil contract was down 32 cents at US$68.65 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down five cents at US$2.31 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$30.10 at US$2,610.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents US$4.24 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.
The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.
The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.
The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.
In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.
Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in the base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 172.18 points at 23,383.35.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 34.99 points at 40,826.72. The S&P 500 index was up 10.56 points at 5,564.69, while the Nasdaq composite was up 74.84 points at 17,470.37.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.55 cents US compared with 73.59 cents US on Wednesday.
The October crude oil contract was up $2.00 at US$69.31 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up five cents at US$2.32 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$40.00 at US$2,582.40 an ounce and the December copper contract was up six cents at US$4.20 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
