Description: Stephen Poloz, Bank of Canada governor, cut the key interest rate from 0.75 to 0.5 per cent. This triggers the perception that the economy is in turmoil. Source: Toronto Star Date: July 15, 2015 Video Link: http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/07/15/bank-of-canada-cuts-interest-rate.html Questions for Discussion: Why has Stephen Poloz decided to cut the rate? How will the cut rate… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Global Business (p122)
Stock Market Turmoil in China
Description: The Chinese stock market has been collapsing over the last month—in the last three weeks investors have lost $3 trillion. The market condition in China is a problem that will impact the entire world. Source: The Guardian Date: July 10, 2015 Video and text Link: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/china-stock-market-crash-world-problem-struggling-economy-small-invesots Questions for Discussion: Discuss the measures taken by… Read more »
Bell Media President Urges Canadian Broadcasters to Take U.S. Networks off Canadian Airwaves
Description: The president of Bell Media urges Canadian Broadcasters to get rid of U.S. networks such as CBS, NBC and FOX from Canadian Airwaves. This comes in light of Bell Media’s over-the-air-network CTV loosing $40 million last year. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: March 06, 2015 Text Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/take-us-networks-off-canadian-airwaves-bell-media-urges/article23343364/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss the… Read more »
Canada’s largest engineering and construction firm facing corruption charges
Description: Canada’s largest engineering and construction firm, Montreal based SNC-Lavalin, is accused of paying $47.9 million in bribes to Libyan officials. Source: CBC Date: February 19, 2015 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2654817566/ Questions for Discussion: Explain SNC-Lavalin’s corrupt practices? How did these practices benefit SNC-Lavalin? Is bribery common in international business? How should the government reprimand SNC-Lavalin?
Scotiabank to cut 1,500 jobs and close 120 branches worldwide
Description: Scotiabank CEO, Brian Porter, announced several important changes to its operations. These changes include cutting 1,500 jobs (two-thirds of these in Canada) and closing 120 branches in foreign markets. Source: Business News Network Date: November 04, 2014 Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/11/4/Scotiabank-to-cut-1500-jobs-close-about-120-branches-amid-writedown-.aspx Questions for Discussion: Analyze the reasons that led Brian Porter to make these changes…. Read more »
Alberta wants more investments from China
Description: In 2012, Ottawa put several restrictions on Chinese investments in to Alberta. The Canadian government insisted that Canada is not open to “sale to foreign governments”. Now, Alberta wants Ottawa to relax those restrictions to spur more investments from China. Source: BNN Date: October 31, 2014 Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/10/31/Alberta-pushes-for-rule-change-to-spur-Chinese-investment.aspx Questions for Discussion: Should the… Read more »
Ford Decides Mexico over Ontario
Description: Ford, although heavily pursued by the Ontario government and the auto workers union, decides to make its next $2 billion investment in Mexico. This is yet another indication that big automobile companies may be slowly moving its investments out of Ontario. Source: CBC Date: October 24, 2014 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2570147233/ Questions for Discussion: What… Read more »
Alberta oilsands among the costliest energy projects in the world
Description: A new report by a London-based financial think-tank that focuses on climate risk ranked Alberta’s oilsands as one of the world’s costliest energy projects in the world; if the oil prices don’t rise, some of these projects could be cancelled. Source: Financial Post Date: August 15, 2014 Link:http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/15/albertas-oil-sands-among-riskiest-energy-plays-in-the-world-report-says/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FP_TopStories+(Financial+Post+-+Top+Stories)&__lsa=05b8-943d Questions for Discussion: How will this… Read more »
Southwest Airlines looking to expand its flights to Canada
Description: In a move that could shake the airline industry in Canada, the low-cost airline carrier Southwest airline plans to expand its services to U.S.–Canada routes. This will put pressure on Air Canada, Westjet and Porter airlines to bring down their prices. Source: BNN Date: July 26, 2014 Video and Text Link:http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/7/26/Southwest-eyes-northern-push-threatening-Air-Canada-WestJet.aspx Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
Can higher taxes combat inequality?
Description: Inequality is becoming an increasing norm across most developed economies. Thomas Piketty, the author of a book titled “Capital in the twenty-first century”, advises countries to increase wealth tax to increase wealth mobility and eventually curb inequality. Source: CBC Date: May 22, 2014 Video Link:http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2459304448/ Questions for Discussion: What does income inequality mean? How… Read more »
