Description: HSBC, one of the largest banks in the word, helped some of its richest customers hide money, often illegally. The documents that were leaked named 1500 Canadians who had money hidden in HSBC. Source: CBC Date: February 09, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2652797906/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: In this unique to one bank or is likely… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Corporate Social Responsibility (pp104-105)
Senior Target managers get large cash payout but no such payouts for front-line workers
Description: Target, which recently decided to close all its stores in Canada, will give out a large cash payout to its senior managers, however, there’s no such payout for its 17,000 front-line workers. Source: CBC Date: January 24, 2015 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/top-target-canada-managers-get-big-cash-payouts-as-stores-close-1.2930064 Questions for Discussion: Provide a rationale for why Target is giving a large cash… Read more »
Supreme Court of Canada sides with Wal-Mart workers
Description: In an important decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Wal-Mart workers in Quebec. In 2004, workers at the Wal-Mart store in Jonquière, Quebec, formed a union. Just before the first arbitration was to be carried out, Wal-Mart decided to close down the store, putting all the 190 people out of… Read more »
How Does Enbridge Move Ahead on the Northern Gateway Project?
Description: The federal government approved the Enbridge Northern Gateway project that involves laying crude oil pipelines across a length of 1,177 kilometers in Western Canada. However, for the project to go ahead, Enbridge needs to meet 209 conditions set by the federal government Source: CBC Date: June 17, 2014 Video Link:http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2465601042/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Do… Read more »
GM CEO apologizes
Description: Mary Barra, GM CEO, apologizes to the U.S. senate committee for covering up faulty ignition switches in GM cars, which led to at least 13 deaths and several crashes. Source: CBC Date: April 02, 2014 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2446158934/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Should the GM top management face criminal charges? Do you agree with the… Read more »
Emissions from Canadian oilsands
Description: A recent report by IHS global finds that total greenhouse emissions from oilsands have increased by 21% since 2008, although the emissions per barrel have come down. Also, emissions from oilsands are at least 12% higher than emissions from the average crude oil processed in the U.S. Source: CBC Date: November 13 2013 Video… Read more »
Public cost of low wages
Description: Sylvia Allegretto, Labour Economist at University of California, Berkley, discusses the high public costs of paying low wage to fast food employees: it costs U.S. public $7 billion dollars to compensate these employees. More than half of fast food employees are enrolled in U.S. public programs. Source: CBC Date: Oct 18 2013 Video link:… Read more »
Female representation on corporate boards
Description: Maureen Jensen, executive director of Ontario Security Commission (OSC) , discusses new provisions to increase female representation on corporate boards. Presently, corporate boards across Canada include only 14% females. The OSC is bringing in measures to increase gender diversity. Source: CBC Date: July 30 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2398849816/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Small businesses upset with credit card ruling
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 »
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 »
