OTTAWA – Amid hopes that Canadian manufacturing will drive economic development in a country reeling from low oil prices, internal federal documents warn the sector’s rebirth is staring at “significant” structural obstacles. In a recent memo addressed to Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, advisers indicate industry hurdles which include low productivity, poor innovation, a failure to scale up and weak ...

Real-estate investment company Sun Real estate just closed a share-sale deal to buy two low-rise apartment buildings in Vancouver’s West End. Located at 1075 Nelson and 1059 Nelson, they’re assessed at $16 million and sold for about $60 million, according to real estate sources. The deal may be the latest by Sun, an aggressive new speculator within the Greater Vancouver ...

With each new subsidy, tax incentive, or project, we’re told some quantity of jobs follows. No doubt you’ve seen the headlines. The Trans Mountain Pipeline can create 3,300 permanent jobs and East can create over 4,250. Bombardier, which is looking for government financial support, claims responsibility for 64,800. The numbers aren’t pulled from nothing, they are available from what exactly ...

CALGARY C Husky Energy Inc. confirmed another wave of layoffs Tuesday, because the company shrinks its headcount in an attempt to survive sub-$30 oil prices. Oilpatch employees in Calgary began calling the 2nd day of the job week “Termination Tuesday” during the period of 2015, as major oil and gas firms trimmed staff as oil prices fell. Husky, one of ...

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway says it plans to spend $2.9 billion this year to improve its efficiency, support long-term growth and strengthen safety. CN’s capital budget for 2016 includes $1.5 billion for track infrastructure. That includes rail replacement, bridge improvements and branch line upgrades. Related CN Rail chief Claude Mongeau returns from sick leave to announce strong earnings, outlookCanada’s ...

TORONTO – The CPP Investment Board says the funds it manages for that Canada Pension Plan delivered a 4.5 per cent return, after costs, within the final 3 months of 2015. As of Dec. 31, which marks no more CPPIB’s 2015-16 fiscal third quarter, the CPP Fund had $282.6 billion of assets — up from $272.9 billion at Sept. 30. ...

The war of words between Torrent Capital, a significant shareholder in Pivot Technology Solutions, and also the company about how better to proceed considering a proposed going private transaction continues. Torrent fired the latest salvo this week C the 3rd it’s made since Pivot announced its share exchange transaction fourteen days back. Torrent said it represents the interests of holders ...

Free-flowing refineries are prompting a “bloodbath” for retail gasoline prices in Edmonton, one analyst says. BY THE NUMBERS– Lowest price of gasoline in Edmonton: 57.9 cents– Average price of gasoline in Edmonton: 61.4 cents– Average cost of gasoline in Alberta: 67.8 cents– Average price of gasoline in British Columbia: 95.3 cents– Average national price: 85.0 cents– Highest price of gasoline ...