Less than half of individual shelters N.S. bought last year for unhoused people open

MONTREAL – The Renaud-Bray group says it has acquired art supply retailer DeSerres.

Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.

The deal covers 28 stores in Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia and the company’s website.

It also includes Cadres Verbec, which specializes in framing supply services, and Lamarche Importation, a stationery distributor.

Founded in 1908 by Omer DeSerres, the company started out as a hardware store before eventually focusing on art supplies.

The Renaud-Bray group includes Renaud-Bray bookstores, Archambault stores, Griffon shops, and distributors Prologue and Pierre Belvédère.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.

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CALGARY – Global oil prices leaped Tuesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East sparked worries of energy market disruptions.

The price of a barrel of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose close to five per cent to top US$71 as of midday as Israel’s military said Iran has fired missiles into the country.

A senior U.S. administration official earlier on Tuesday warned of “severe consequences” should a ballistic missile attack take place.

Oil prices have been weighed down this fall by lower-than-expected Chinese demand and uncertainty around OPEC’s (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) plans.

But at a major energy sector conference in Calgary on Tuesday, the potential for conflict in the Middle East to disrupt global economies hung over the event.

Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland, told delegates at the conference that there is more unrest to come in the Middle East and there is “no normal to go back to” when it comes to the geopolitical environment.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.

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CHARLOTTETOWN – Ferry service between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia has been delayed until Oct. 19.

Northumberland Ferries said today problems persist with the MV Saaremaa’s engines and the vessel is not ready to return to its route between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I.

The company estimates the ferry will be back in service by Oct. 19, pending further inspections and certifications.

Northumberland says the MV Confederation, which transports people along the same route, won’t be ready for service until at least Dec. 9.

Ferry service between the provinces was halted last week when the MV Saaremaa began experiencing technical issues, not long after the MV Confederation ran into a wharf and was taken out of service.

The company says it has contacted other ferry operators to see if their ships could take on the route, but found none available.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the MV Caribou transported people between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.