SASKATOON, SK, April 2, 2024 /CNW/ – Saskatchewan Blue Cross has released their second edition of their annual Community Investment Report, which features the many ways they invest in the province to improve Health Literacy, community health and wellbeing, as well as championing diversity, equity and inclusion.
2023 Community Investment Report (CNW Group/Saskatchewan Blue Cross)
“Investing in our communities helps strengthen our local networks, helping people live healthy lives,” says Kelly Wilson, President and CEO of Saskatchewan Blue Cross. “We work closely with our partner organizations to ensure we are creating a positive impact for the residents of Saskatchewan.”
The 2023 Community Investment Report showcases the various partnerships Saskatchewan Blue Cross has made with organizations across the province, along with the impacts made through programming including:
Provincial legislation changes supported by Youth4Change to the Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Amendment Act.
Providing support for 211 Saskatchewan, which responded to over 4,800 contacts through phone, text, online or email.
A national partnership between Blue Cross and Make-A-Wish Canada, resulting in over 105 wishes being granted in Saskatchewan.
Celebrating diversity with the Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation with over 2,000 attendees.
“Saskatchewan Blue Cross has demonstrated their commitment to improving lives through their generous support of United Way’s 211 Saskatchewan,” said Kristin Nelson, Director of 211 Saskatchewan. “Ongoing investment in 211 has strengthened United Way’s ability to provide an important connection to services and resources to individuals and families in their time of need. In supporting 211, Saskatchewan Blue Cross shows their dedication to strengthening that connection for people in Saskatchewan.
Over the past five years, Saskatchewan Blue Cross has donated more than $5.6 million to community organizations. As a not-for-profit organization, their mission is to empower communities on the journey to whole health and wellness. Community organizations can learn more about the programs they support and apply for funding online.
“Last year, Saskatchewan Blue Cross recognized the importance of the Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation and came to us as a Community Investor,” said Carrie Catherine from Reconciliation Saskatoon. “But their involvement didn’t stop there. They provided tents, volunteers and walked with us. Sometimes it’s easy to support events like this financially. But we’re looking for Community Investors, who see an opportunity in Rock Your Roots to deepen their understanding and commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Thank you to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for continuing to invest in this relationship!”
For more than 75 years, Saskatchewan Blue Cross® has been committed to delivering exceptional health and wellness benefits, travel insurance and life insurance solutions to Saskatchewan residents and employers. A locally based, not-for-profit organization, it’s recognized as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers, one of the Top 100 Companies in Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s Top 100 Brands (as part of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross® Plans), and proudly supports the wellbeing of more than 200,000 members. With a mission to empower communities on their journey to whole health and wellness, and a vision for a future of lifelong health and wellbeing for every person in Saskatchewan, this team is committed to advancing and benefiting the communities they call home. Learn more at: sk.bluecross.ca.
SOURCE Saskatchewan Blue Cross
For further information: Media contact, Cheryl de Villiers, Director, Marketing and External Affairs, 306-260-1147, [email protected]
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was down more than 200 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology, base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets also fell.
The S&P/TSX composite index was down 239.24 points at 22,749.04.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 312.36 points at 40,443.39. The S&P 500 index was down 80.94 points at 5,422.47, while the Nasdaq composite was down 380.17 points at 16,747.49.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.80 cents US compared with 74.00 cents US on Thursday.
The October crude oil contract was down US$1.07 at US$68.08 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.26 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$2.10 at US$2,541.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was down four cents at US$4.10 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in technology, financial and energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also pushed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 171.41 points at 23,298.39.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 278.37 points at 41,369.79. The S&P 500 index was up 38.17 points at 5,630.35, while the Nasdaq composite was up 177.15 points at 17,733.18.
The Canadian dollar traded for 74.19 cents US compared with 74.23 cents US on Wednesday.
The October crude oil contract was up US$1.75 at US$76.27 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$2.10 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$18.70 at US$2,556.50 an ounce and the December copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.22 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.
The crypto market has recently experienced a significant downturn, mirroring broader risk asset sell-offs. Over the past week, Bitcoin’s price dropped by 24%, reaching $53,000, while Ethereum plummeted nearly a third to $2,340. Major altcoins also suffered, with Cardano down 27.7%, Solana 36.2%, Dogecoin 34.6%, XRP 23.1%, Shiba Inu 30.1%, and BNB 25.7%.
The severe downturn in the crypto market appears to be part of a broader flight to safety, triggered by disappointing economic data. A worse-than-expected unemployment report on Friday marked the beginning of a technical recession, as defined by the Sahm Rule. This rule identifies a recession when the three-month average unemployment rate rises by at least half a percentage point from its lowest point in the past year.
Friday’s figures met this threshold, signaling an abrupt economic downshift. Consequently, investors sought safer assets, leading to declines in major stock indices: the S&P 500 dropped 2%, the Nasdaq 2.5%, and the Dow 1.5%. This trend continued into Monday with further sell-offs overseas.
The crypto market’s rapid decline raises questions about its role as either a speculative asset or a hedge against inflation and recession. Despite hopes that crypto could act as a risk hedge, the recent crash suggests it remains a speculative investment.
Since the downturn, the crypto market has seen its largest three-day sell-off in nearly a year, losing over $500 billion in market value. According to CoinGlass data, this bloodbath wiped out more than $1 billion in leveraged positions within the last 24 hours, including $365 million in Bitcoin and $348 million in Ether.
Khushboo Khullar of Lightning Ventures, speaking to Bloomberg, argued that the crypto sell-off is part of a broader liquidity panic as traders rush to cover margin calls. Khullar views this as a temporary sell-off, presenting a potential buying opportunity.
Josh Gilbert, an eToro market analyst, supports Khullar’s perspective, suggesting that the expected Federal Reserve rate cuts could benefit crypto assets. “Crypto assets have sold off, but many investors will see an opportunity. We see Federal Reserve rate cuts, which are now likely to come sharper than expected, as hugely positive for crypto assets,” Gilbert told Coindesk.
Despite the recent volatility, crypto continues to make strides toward mainstream acceptance. Notably, Morgan Stanley will allow its advisors to offer Bitcoin ETFs starting Wednesday. This follows more than half a year after the introduction of the first Bitcoin ETF. The investment bank will enable over 15,000 of its financial advisors to sell BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC. This move is seen as a significant step toward the “mainstreamization” of crypto, given the lengthy regulatory and company processes in major investment banks.
The recent crypto market downturn highlights its volatility and the broader economic concerns affecting all risk assets. While some analysts see the current situation as a temporary sell-off and a buying opportunity, others caution against the speculative nature of crypto. As the market evolves, its role as a mainstream alternative asset continues to grow, marked by increasing institutional acceptance and new investment opportunities.
