Description: Canada’s competition tribunal rules that the fess which Visa and MasterCard charge retailers will remain and retailers do not have a choice to pick which cards they take. Source: CBC Date: July 23 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2397869057/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Should Visa and MasterCard be allowed to charge fees from retailers? Should retailers have… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Social Responsibility
Detroit files for bankruptcy
Description: Detroit, once famous for housing one of the largest industrial clusters in the world, became the biggest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy. The filing could mean that municipal employees will be laid off, assets will be sold off and basic services will be scaled back. Source: Financial Post Date: July 18 2013 Link:… Read more »
Major North American Retailers Refuse to Sign Bangladesh Safety Accord
Description: In the wake of the recent tragedy at a factory in Bangladesh that killed more than 1000 workers, a new Bangladesh safety accord was set-up. While a large number of European retailers signed the accord, several large North American retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Gap Inc., abstained from signing the accord. Source: The Huffington… Read more »
Canadian CEOs among top bank earners
Description: The top earning banker earns nearly $26 million. CEOs of several Canadian banks are ranked among the top bank earners in North America with salaries ranging between $7 million to $15 million. Source: CBC Date: May 29 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2388467779/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree that no one except shareholders have a… Read more »
Barrick Gold Corp’s continuing problems with their Chile project
Description: Chile files serious violations against Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corporation (world’s largest gold miner) dealing a blow to their Pascua-Lama mine project. The Pascua-Lama mine is believed to house nearly 18 million ounces of gold reserves. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: May 24 2013 Text link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/chile-freezes-barricks-pascua-lama-orders-urgent-measures/article12129034/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Passengers bypassing Canadian airports
Description: An estimated five million Canadians hop the border every year to catch their flights from U.S. airports. By driving a few extra hours to U.S. airports, Canadian passengers save thousands of dollars. Source: CBC Date: May 03 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2383198577/ Questions for Discussion: Should Canadians be flying out of U.S. airports given that… Read more »
Loblaw on Bangladesh
Description: Following the tragic collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, Loblaw decided to compensate the families of the victims and to continue their operations in the country. They also stressed that they will increasingly audit the working conditions at their outsourced factories. Source: CBC Date: May 02 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2382985825/?page=2 Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
Should the temporary foreign worker program be scrapped?
Description: Recently, the temporary foreign worker program has come under heavy criticisms. This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers when they can’t find Canadians to fill the job. Source: National Post Date: April 12 2013 Text link: http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/04/12/temporary-foreign-worker-program-works-for-canada/ Questions for Discussion: List the benefits and drawbacks of this program? Are employers misusing the… Read more »
RBC criticized for layoffs and outsourcing jobs
Description: RBC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Zabeen Hirji, responds to allegations of outsourcing jobs to overseas workers. Source: CBC Date: April 07 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2373110556/ Questions for Discussion: What were the justifications given by Zabeen Hirji for layoffs and for hiring temporary overseas workers? Do you agree with her explanations? Do companies need to… Read more »
Should airlines be charging passengers by their weight?
Description: Over the years airlines have gone through great lengths to reduce their in-flight weight, from reducing the number of bags per passenger to shrinking the size of in-flight magazines. Are passengers next? Source: Financial Post Date: March 29 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/29/should-airlines-start-charging-passengers-by-the-pound/ Questions for Discussion: Should airlines be charging passengers by their weight? Are there any… Read more »
