TORONTO —
A new survey suggests Canadians prefer strict economic lockdowns in regions where COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising rather than a more hands-off approach that allows businesses to remain open while the virus spreads.
The survey, conducted by Nanos Research and commissioned by CTV News, asked more than 1,000 Canadians how they think spiralling caseloads should be handled in parts of the country experiencing the highest spread.
Fifty-five per cent of respondents supported a “very strict” lockdown that involved closing all but the most essential parts of the economy in order to manage the spread, while 39 per cent preferred keeping the economy partially open and allowing the virus to “run its course.” Another six per cent said they were unsure.
Support for strict lockdowns was most popular in Atlantic Canada, at 72 per cent, where 14-day quarantines are mandatory for anyone who enters the region or travels within the provinces. In Quebec, where Christmas gatherings were recently banned in red zones, respondents were least supportive of strict lockdowns, at nearly 44 per cent in support.
Canadians older than 55 were most likely to support strict lockdowns, with 60 per cent supportive, compared to those aged 18-34, who were 49 per cent supportive.
When it comes to the fear of the virus, Canadians appear far more concerned about contracting the virus than its impact on the economy. Sixty-three per cent of respondents said they were more concerned about the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 or a loved on testing positive, while 33 per cent said they were more afraid of the economic implications. Four per cent said they were unsure.
Respondents in Atlantic Canada (74 per cent) and Ontario (68 per cent) were most concerned about catching the virus, while those in Quebec (55 per cent) and the Prairies (59 per cent) expressed less but still significant levels of concern.
Across all age groups, Canadians appear similarly worried about contracting the virus, with 61 per cent of those 18-34 concerned, 62 per cent of those aged 35-54 concerned, and 65 per cent of those agent 55 and over concerned.
The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered in Canada on Monday, and Canadians appear keen to get their shots. A strong majority of Canadians are interested (64 per cent) or somewhat interested (17 per cent) in getting the vaccine once it’s available. Ten per cent of respondents said they were not interested, while six per cent said they were somewhat not interested. Four per cent said they were unsure.
CONFIDENCE IN CANADA’S VACCINE ROLLOUT
Canada is set to receive up to 200,000 more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine next week and potentially up to 168,000 Moderna vaccine doses by the end of December. Overall, the government has secured access to 20 million Pfizer doses, four million of which are set to land by the end of March, and 40 million Moderna doses, with options to buy thousands more from each manufacturer if needed.
Canadians are generally confident in the country’s vaccine delivery plan, the survey suggests. Sixteen per cent of respondents nationwide are confident and 40 per cent are somewhat confident that the country has a well-organized plan to deliver vaccines as quickly as possible. Nineteen per cent said they were somewhat not confident and 21 per cent said they are not confident. Four per cent are unsure.
Confidence appears highest in Quebec, where 73 per cent of respondents said they are confident or somewhat confident, and lowest in the Prairies, where 45 per cent are confident or somewhat confident.
With Christmas 10 days away and multiple provinces and jurisdictions advising against or outright banning holiday gatherings, Canadians overwhelmingly said they will see fewer friends and family this year. Eighty-three per cent said they will see fewer loved ones than usual, while 13 per cent said their holidays get-togethers will be the same as usual. Just two per cent said they will see more people than usual in 2020, and another two per cent were unsure.
Those living in B.C. are most likely to say they will see family less, with 88 per cent of respondents reducing their holiday get-togethers, compared to Quebec, where 75 per cent of respondents are limiting the Christmas contacts.
METHODOLOGY
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,096 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between November 26th and 29th, 2020 as part of an omnibus survey. Participants were randomly recruited by telephone using live agents and administered a survey online. The sample included both land- and cell-lines across Canada. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.
Individuals were randomly called using random digit dialling with a maximum of five call backs. The margin of error for this survey is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
This study was commissioned by CTV News and the research was conducted by Nanos Research.
With files from CTVNews.ca’s Rachel Aiello in Ottawa
TORONTO – Canada Goose Holdings Inc. says it has signed a deal that will result in the creation of its first eyewear collection.
The deal announced on Thursday by the Toronto-based luxury apparel company comes in the form of an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement with Marchon Eyewear Inc.
The terms and value of the agreement were not disclosed, but Marchon produces eyewear for brands including Lacoste, Nike, Calvin Klein, Ferragamo, Longchamp and Zeiss.
Marchon plans to roll out both sunglasses and optical wear under the Canada Goose name next spring, starting in North America.
Canada Goose says the eyewear will be sold through optical retailers, department stores, Canada Goose shops and its website.
Canada Goose CEO Dani Reiss told The Canadian Press in August that he envisioned his company eventually expanding into eyewear and luggage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Almost seven years since news broke of an alleged conspiracy to fix the price of packaged bread across Canada, the saga isn’t over: the Competition Bureau continues to investigate the companies that may have been involved, and two class-action lawsuits continue to work their way through the courts.
Here’s a timeline of key events in the bread price-fixing case.
Oct. 31, 2017: The Competition Bureau says it’s investigating allegations of bread price-fixing and that it was granted search warrants in the case. Several grocers confirm they are co-operating in the probe.
Dec. 19, 2017: Loblaw and George Weston say they participated in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement” to raise the price of packaged bread. The companies say they have been co-operating in the Competition Bureau’s investigation since March 2015, when they self-reported to the bureau upon discovering anti-competitive behaviour, and are receiving immunity from prosecution. They announce they are offering $25 gift cards to customers amid the ongoing investigation into alleged bread price-fixing.
Jan. 31, 2018: In court documents, the Competition Bureau says at least $1.50 was added to the price of a loaf of bread between about 2001 and 2016.
Dec. 20, 2019: A class-action lawsuit in a Quebec court against multiple grocers and food companies is certified against a number of companies allegedly involved in bread price-fixing, including Loblaw, George Weston, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Canada Bread and Giant Tiger (which have all denied involvement, except for Loblaw and George Weston, which later settled with the plaintiffs).
Dec. 31, 2021: A class-action lawsuit in an Ontario court covering all Canadian residents except those in Quebec who bought packaged bread from a company named in the suit is certified against roughly the same group of companies.
June 21, 2023: Bakery giant Canada Bread Co. is fined $50 million after pleading guilty to four counts of price-fixing under the Competition Act as part of the Competition Bureau’s ongoing investigation.
Oct. 25 2023: Canada Bread files a statement of defence in the Ontario class action denying participating in the alleged conspiracy and saying any anti-competitive behaviour it participated in was at the direction and to the benefit of its then-majority owner Maple Leaf Foods, which is not a defendant in the case (neither is its current owner Grupo Bimbo). Maple Leaf calls Canada Bread’s accusations “baseless.”
Dec. 20, 2023: Metro files new documents in the Ontario class action accusing Loblaw and its parent company George Weston of conspiring to implicate it in the alleged scheme, denying involvement. Sobeys has made a similar claim. The two companies deny the allegations.
July 25, 2024: Loblaw and George Weston say they agreed to pay a combined $500 million to settle both the Ontario and Quebec class-action lawsuits. Loblaw’s share of the settlement includes a $96-million credit for the gift cards it gave out years earlier.
Sept. 12, 2024: Canada Bread files new documents in Ontario court as part of the class action, claiming Maple Leaf used it as a “shield” to avoid liability in the alleged scheme. Maple Leaf was a majority shareholder of Canada Bread until 2014, and the company claims it’s liable for any price-fixing activity. Maple Leaf refutes the claims.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:L, TSX:MFI, TSX:MRU, TSX:EMP.A, TSX:WN)
TORONTO – TD Bank Group, which is mired in a money laundering scandal in the U.S., says chief executive Bharat Masrani will retire next year.
Masrani, who will retire officially on April 10, 2025, says the bank’s, “anti-money laundering challenges,” took place on his watch and he takes full responsibility.
The bank named Raymond Chun, TD’s group head, Canadian personal banking, as his successor.
As part of a transition plan, Chun will become chief operating officer on Nov. 1 before taking over the top job when Masrani steps down at the bank’s annual meeting next year.
TD also announced that Riaz Ahmed, group head, wholesale banking and president and CEO of TD Securities, will retire at the end of January 2025.
TD has taken billions in charges related to ongoing U.S. investigations into the failure of its anti-money laundering program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
