Quebec Premier François Legault wants to emphasize the green economy when he meets with his provincial counterparts this week in Manitoba.
“Quebec must obtain its fair share of financial investments from the federal government in this strategic and competitive sector. Quebec, with its energy expertise and strategic minerals, is a natural choice,” reads a notice from Legault’s press attaché, Ewan Sauves.
The provincial and territorial premiers will meet at the Council of the Federation in Winnipeg between July 10 and 12.
“Legault hopes to use this meeting to continue to position Quebec as a leader in Canada’s green economy,” Sauves said.
“The battery industry is not just an industry of the future, but an extraordinary opportunity for Quebec if we want to achieve an energy transition and attract businesses,” he added.
It will also be a good opportunity for Legault to develop and strengthen his relationships with other premiers.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson is president of the Council.
HEALTH TRANSFERS
Premiers are slated to discuss the economy, the cost of living, and healthcare improvements.
For over two years, provinces and territories have formed a common front demanding a $28 million annual increase in federal health transfers.
Instead, the federal government offered $46.2 million over 10 years, an average increase of $4.6 million per year.
In return, the provinces were required to improve how health information is collected, shared, used and communicated with the Canadian population.
Provinces and territories accepted this offer in February, although it was deemed insufficient to meet their needs.
Part of the money will be between the provinces through bilateral agreements.
“Quebec has a special status in the Federation. In healthcare, we sign asymmetrical agreements recognizing the Quebec government’s responsibilities, so it takes longer […] We already have access to the funds,” Finance Minister Eric Girard told reporters Wednesday.
The federal government has already distributed $2 million among the provinces, including Quebec, to meet urgent needs.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 9, 2023.
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.
