Economy

Regional ag sector stabilizing local economy – CHAT News Today

Published

4 years ago

April 7, 2020

Though he didn’t go so far to suggest agriculture will overtake the oil and gas sector.

But, Roach added, the agriculture sector is providing continuity during a time of unpredictability in other Alberta industries.

“At the end of the day, we all have to eat and it’s not as though the agriculture sector hasn’t been affected,” said Roach. “But it’s one of the parts of the economy that is carrying on as normal. And after the pandemic, it won’t have to bounce back in the way other parts of the economy will.”

Roach added the table was already set for a greater domestic consumption of Alberta agriculture products prior to the pandemic with an acceptance of the farm to fork concept that has only increased since.

For McBride’s Bakery owner Carole Hillson, that’s a concept her business is based on by building brand loyalty by locally producing a value-added product from an Alberta-sourced commodity like wheat.

“All our wheat is from basically in Alberta,” said Hillson. “So, we’re not heavily reliant on supply chains. The goal is to be a business ready for the next economy, whatever that is.”

Lisa Kowalchuk, Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce director, says there continues to be challenges to the agriculture sector – including the recently imposed carbon tax that took effect on April 1 – but the industry will be a steady force in the regional economy.

“We certainly recognize the importance of our food and food security now more than ever,” said Kowalchuk, adding it will be a stabilizing sector as the province moves towards a post-pandemic recovery.

by Alex McCuaig

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite gains almost 100 points, U.S. stock markets also higher

Published

10 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

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Economy

Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales higher in July

Published

17 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

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Economy

S&P/TSX composite up more than 150 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

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