TORONTO —
WestJet Airlines says it is suspending all international flights — including to the U.S. — for the next 30 days to help control the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement posted on the company’s website late Monday night, WestJet president and CEO Ed Sims said the airline would be suspending commercial international and transborder flights effective March 23.
“To be clear, this means our final commercially scheduled flights from international and transborder destinations will launch on Sunday night by 11:59 p.m. local time; after that, we will be operating rescue and repatriation flights in partnership with the Canadian government,” Sims said.
As of Wednesday, the airline said it will also suspend the sale of outbound international tickets during the 30-day period until March 22.
The Calgary-based airline said it is “no longer sending Canadians out of the country” and will instead focus on bringing them home.
“WestJetters are known for our level of care and this situation is no different,” Sims said. “While this is a difficult time, we now have the responsibility as a Canadian airline to bring our citizens home.”
WestJet will be lowering ticket prices for any remaining seats into Canada for those trying to return. The airline’s domestic flight schedule is also being reduced by 50 per cent for the next 30 days.
The decision comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada will be shutting the border to non-Canadian citizens. Permanent Canadian residents, immediate family members of Canadian citizens, diplomats, air crews, and U.S. citizens are still being allowed into Canada at this time.
“If you’re abroad, it’s time for you to come home. If you’ve just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days, and finally all Canadians as much as possible, should stay home,” Trudeau said.
WestJet said it is also lowering prices on remaining seats on flights into Canada, and is reducing its domestic flight schedule by 50 per cent.
“While this is a difficult time, we now have the responsibility as a Canadian airline to bring our citizens home,” Sims said.
Earlier on Monday, Air Canada said that it is cutting its seat capacity in half and withdrawing its earnings forecast amid a “severe drop in traffic” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
–With files from CTVNews.ca’s Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press
Toronto-Dominion Bank has named new co-heads of its U.S. commercial banking business.
TD says Andy Bregenzer and Jill Gateman will jointly lead the operations.
The bank says the appointments follow the announcement earlier this year of Chris Giamo’s retirement.
Bregenzer will focus on leading all aspects of the regional commercial bank, including small business.
Gateman will lead TD’s national commercial banking effort in the U.S., including middle market, sponsor-backed finance and TD’s other specialty lending lines of business.
TD, which is working to resolve investigations into failures in its anti-money laundering program in the U.S., announced last week that chief executive Bharat Masrani would retire next year and be replaced by Raymond Chun.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
MONTREAL – National Bank of Canada says it has cleared a key regulatory hurdle in its proposed acquisition of Canadian Western Bank.
The Montreal-based bank says it has received the Competition Bureau’s clearance for the deal.
The transaction still requires approval by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the minister of finance.
Canadian Western shareholders voted to approve the deal earlier this month.
National Bank announced an all-stock deal to buy Canadian Western earlier this year in a proposal that valued the Edmonton-based bank at about $5 billion.
It has said its acquisition of Canadian Western will significantly expand its western footprint and create a stronger national competitor.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
