Business

Canada's S&P/TSX Small Cap Index is up about 64% over the past 52 weeks, and MTY Food Group reported Q4 revenue of $305.4 million and returned to profit.

Statistics Canada reported a $1.31-billion merchandise trade deficit in December, down from a revised $2.59-billion in November, as exports rose 2.6% and imports rose 0.6%. The share of Canadian exports going to the United States fell to about 67.4%, the lowest level on record except for two months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A column by Chris Selley reports newly discussed figures that the author describes as alarming for Canada's proposed high-speed rail, noting that VIA Rail already relies heavily on government subsidy and comparing the corridor to Boston–New York–Washington.

A designer published a map that visualizes TTC projects currently under construction and recently completed lines; provincial officials announced ground work on parts of the Ontario Line and said civil work could finish in the early 2030s, with testing and commissioning to follow.

Two Ontario cafés — Toronto’s Seven Mystery (41st) and Ottawa’s Little Victories (71st) — appear on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list announced Feb. 16 at CoffeeFest Madrid.

Dominic LeBlanc said he will meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in the coming weeks to discuss the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). He also said Canada and Mexico agree a trilateral deal is the best way forward.

The Financial Times reports that ECB President Christine Lagarde intends to leave before France's 2027 presidential election so outgoing President Emmanuel Macron can help shape her successor; the ECB says no decision has been made.

Equinox Gold reported preliminary unaudited results for Q4 and full-year 2025 and described a year that included the merger with Calibre, operational milestones at Valentine and Greenstone, portfolio divestments, and more than US$1.1 billion in debt reduction. The company said its audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis will be released later this month.

ACTG announced that the LATITUDE (A5359) phase 3 study of long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and reported superiority in preventing regimen failure among people with HIV who have adherence challenges with daily oral ART.

Experts say purpose-built rental projects in B.C. face weak economics as average asking rents fell to $2,630 in January (down 9.2% year-over-year) and Vancouver's rental vacancy rate rose to 3.7% last October.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will discuss immigration in a province-wide televised address Thursday after online comments by a senior staffer criticized mass immigration.

Federal minister Patty Hajdu promoted the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which officials say will help more than 12 million Canadians; the government says a one-time top-up equal to a 50% increase in the 2025–26 GST credit value will be issued no later than June.

Kamloops MLAs Peter Milobar and Ward Stamer questioned the 2026 B.C. budget after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey outlined a record $13.3 billion deficit and a plan to cut 15,000 public-sector jobs over three years. They said the budget lacks timelines and detailed targets and expressed concern about cuts to capital projects and forestry spending.

The province held a groundbreaking for a three-kilometre elevated guideway and four new Ontario Line stations; Metrolinx says the project remains on track for the 'early 2030s' but will not set a firm opening date while testing and commissioning are planned.

The New Mexico Senate narrowly approved a constitutional amendment to let voters decide in November whether to allow direct legislative pay tied to the state's median income, an effort advanced this session by younger female lawmakers who cited challenges balancing work, family and legislative duties.

Dan Levitt of the B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate said the 2026 provincial budget pauses several planned long-term care projects and that thousands of seniors are waiting for beds.

Oil prices rose about 3% after U.S.-mediated Russia–Ukraine talks in Geneva ended quickly and as reported tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued.

General Motors will invest $63 million to upgrade stamping operations at its Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant, part of $1.5 billion committed there since 2020.

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, and a Liberal social media post said he will be named a "special advisor on economic and security partnerships."

U.S. factory production rose 0.6% in January, the biggest monthly increase since February 2025, and overall industrial production advanced 0.7% as capacity use ticked higher.

U.S. officials say Venezuela's oil production could climb 30–40% this year as Western firms show renewed interest after licenses were issued; production has fallen by about half since 2017.

Uber will invest more than US$100 million to build DC fast chargers at its autonomous depots and pit stops, starting in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Dallas, and it has agreements with chargepoint operators to support wider rollouts.

The Chartered Business Valuators Institute's M&A Outlook Survey reports broad expected buyer participation in 2026, with private companies (91%), private equity firms (85%), public companies (76%) and family offices (76%) anticipated to be active; the survey links this to available capital and a focus on prudent investment and risk management.

The Globe editorial says growing shortages of fuel, food and medicine in Cuba have prompted calls for Canadian aid, but it argues Ottawa should avoid government‑to‑government assistance and channel help through trusted international organizations instead.

Tigo Energy announced its Green Glove program has logged 1,500 installer engagements and the company has deployed more than 12,000 customized onboarding sequences across ten countries.

A fire at a Fredericton apartment building damaged the roof and top floor and displaced several residents; the landlord said neighbours and local businesses have provided a supportive outpouring of donations and support.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $6.6-billion defence industrial strategy to raise domestic defence procurement to 70% and create 125,000 jobs over the next decade; industry leaders welcomed the move while urging clearer procurement timelines.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is returning to British Columbia after attending a vigil for victims of a recent Tumbler Ridge shooting; his itinerary includes a Vancouver fundraiser and community events in Richmond.

A Climate Central analysis finds top coffee-producing countries are experiencing an average of 57 extra days per year of heat damaging to coffee plants, with Brazil seeing about 70 extra days and Colombia about 48. Farmers report harvest losses and market pressures as production and bean quality are affected.

Montreal welcomed 11.8 million visitors in 2025, a 7.3% increase from 2024, led by a 10% rise in domestic travel and a 17% gain from Atlantic Canada.