Latest news with #Saskatoon
CTV News
an hour ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Saskatoon's Mayor on feeling safe downtown
Saskatoon's Mayor on feeling safe downtown Mayor Cynthia Block talks about downtown safety concerns, and this weekend's Pride Parade
National Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
The Marygold Companies Enters Agreement to Sell Canadian Subsidiary
Article content SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The Marygold Companies, Inc. ('TMC' or the 'Company') (NYSE American: MGLD), a diversified global holding company, today announced that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement to sell its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Brigadier Security Systems Ltd. ('Brigadier'), to SKCAL LLC, an Arizona limited liability company whose sole member is a director and 11% shareholder of TMC. Article content The proposed transaction aligns with the Company's corporate strategy to direct resources toward growth in the financial services sector. It is expected to close on or about July 1, 2025. Total consideration is estimated to be approximately US $2.2 million. Brigadier, based in Saskatoon, SK, Canada, provides comprehensive security solutions to homes and businesses, government offices, schools and other public buildings throughout the province. Article content Nicholas Gerber, CEO of TMC, said, 'Our corporate goals and mission have been evolving over the past few years toward a focus on financial services, and our plan is to remain within this sector. I am delighted that one of our board members recognized the opportunity with Brigadier. While we had not put the company up for sale, the timing was right for both parties. The acquirer paid a fair market price, and we achieved an excellent return on our original investment. We have enjoyed and benefited from our ownership of Brigadier since 2016, and I am confident that Brigadier's future and that of its staff will continue to thrive under its new owner,' Gerber added. Article content The proposed transaction is subject to the customary prerequisites for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, completion of due diligence, board approval, fairness opinion and possible adjustments to purchase price after completion of audited financial statements. Proceeds from the sale of Brigadier will be used to pay down corporate debt and for general corporate purposes. Article content About The Marygold Companies, Inc. Article content The Marygold Companies was founded in 1996 and repositioned as a global holding firm in 2015. The Company currently has operating subsidiaries in ETF fund management, other financial services, food manufacturing, printing, security systems and beauty products, under the trade names USCF Investments, Marygold & Co. (UK) Limited, Step-By-Step Financial Planners, Ltd., Gourmet Foods, Printstock Products, Brigadier Security Systems and Original Sprout, respectively. Offices and manufacturing operations are in the U.S., New Zealand, U.K., and Canada. For more information, visit Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content This press release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'budget,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'may' 'will,' 'could,' 'should' 'believes,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' 'continue' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, completing the sale of its Brigadier Security Systems subsidiary, involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Readers should refer to the further detail of the risks disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
CBC
8 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
As the U.S. trade war drags, calls grow for Canada to cautiously improve ties with China
As Prime Minister Mark Carney's government works to reshape its economic policies amid an unpredictable administration south of the border, Canadian businesses that trade with China say Ottawa needs to find ways to expand exports there — and fast. While the Canada-China relationship has been stymied in recent years, there are signals of relations improving. Following the first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon earlier this month, Carney said Canada and China were meeting at the ministerial level to address a tit-for-tat trade war between the two countries that saw Canada place 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and China retaliate with similar levies on canola meal and seed, pork and seafood. Carney called negotiations with China "a top priority for us," as the federal government seeks to have the counter-tariffs on the agricultural products removed, and the two countries recently agreed to regularize communications. The potential thaw comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed shifting tariffs on much of the world, including 50 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, and 25 per cent on many cars and auto parts. That's left businesses and analysts calling for Ottawa to fortify Canada's economy, including by overcoming political and infrastructure challenges to increase trade with China. In fact, there are signs it's already happening, for various reasons. According to Statistics Canada, as Canadian exports to the U.S. were down 15.7 per cent in April, exports to countries other than the U.S. increased 2.9 per cent that same month, led by exports to China, the U.K., Algeria and Brazil. Notably, oil exports to China have risen since the Trans Mountain Pipeline started operating in May 2024. In the last few months, it has emerged as the top customer for Canadian crude. Potential for growth According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canada's trade with the world's second-largest economy is currently hampered by political tensions that, if overcome, will continue to be "a key export market." "There's clearly demand. And Chinese demand is willing to step in and fill that gap that's been left by the closing of access to American markets," said Conference Board senior economist Liam Daly. Even though China is Canada's second-biggest trading partner, there's room for growth; Canada exported $30 billion worth of products to China in 2024 — a fraction of the whopping $500 billion shipped to the U.S., said Daly. Canada is also running an increasing trade deficit with China — $57 billion in 2024. If and when the tariffs and counter-tariffs are removed, the growth in exports could come in the form of raw goods, like timber, wheat, lentils and energy, according to Josipa Petrunic, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), an industry organization that is staunch advocate of Canada removing Canada's EV tariffs on China. "That's the low-hanging fruit," she said, since there are long-standing concerns over intellectual property infringement. "There's not a lot of IP in a shrimp, right?" WATCH | U.S., China agree to 90-day tariff pause. What it means for some Canadian businesses: What the U.S.-China tariff pause means for some Canadian business owners | Hanomansing Tonight 1 month ago Duration 5:09 Shipping to China Some businesses are also calling for improved relations with China, hoping for a more "predictable and stable" environment, says Bijan Ahmadi, executive director of the Canada China Business Council, a non-profit that acts as a voice for Canadian businesses in China. "China represents significant opportunities for Canadian companies," he said. That's true for Laneway Distillers, a small gin and vodka company based in Toronto, which imports its custom bottles from China and started exporting its alcohol to sell on Chinese e-commerce platforms in 2023. "We find doing business in China easier than doing business here in Ontario," said co-founder and CEO Jessica Chester. "I'm always blown away by the efficiency of their systems." On the other hand, Chester says she finds navigating Ontario's red tape "very complex," while interprovincial trade barriers in Canada prevent her from selling to other provinces. While Chester is hoping the provinces will work to quickly lift those barriers, which both Ottawa and the premiers have vowed to do, she is buoyed by what appears to be Canada's willingness to bolster trade relations with China, despite difficulties she's encountered. "The infrastructure has been neglected for too long," she said, noting that her current shipment of gin to China has been delayed by a month, stuck on a rail line somewhere between Toronto and Vancouver. "The reality is I run out of stock," she said. "I've spent a huge amount of time building up my clientele, my brand, and to run out of stock on an online store is devastating." Subsidization and consumption China is also known to artificially subsidize its industries, like steel, which creates unfair competition. Tariffs are theoretically supposed to address this, but some businesses say it simply reroutes shipments through other countries. And despite China being a massive market, some analysts say the country is suffering from low consumption and growth. "How much they can absorb is a bit of an issue," said Jan Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. "Chinese consumers aren't buying very much. So, in theory, they look like an attractive market, but in practice, that could be a little complicated." Political hurdles There are also political tensions, partly due to Canada's allyship with the U.S. Given the three-year imprisonment of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — widely considered a retaliatory move after the 2018 arrest of Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou in Vancouver at Washington's request — Petrunic says any talks with China need to have this history baked in. "That's the elephant in the room," she said. "We're concerned Canadians are taken as prisoners. That needs to be front and centre in any dialogue with China." WATCH | Ottawa and Washington working toward trade and security deal: Ottawa, Washington exchange draft on potential trade deal: sources 8 days ago Duration 2:47 Growing the relationship also means Canada needs to protect itself in other ways, said Nicolas Lamp, an associate professor in the faculty of law at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. "We want to make sure we don't open ourselves up to espionage or blackmail or sabotage," he said. Expanding Canada's trade with China also risks drawing the ire of Trump, considering his rhetoric against the country, and how he's stacked his cabinet with China critics and recently raised tariffs as high as 145 per cent on Chinese imports. (Though most are currently at 30 per cent, following talks last month behind the two sides.) Because Canada likely can't entirely ignore its largest trading partner as a result of its deep economic ties and geographic proximity, there's a fine line to walk. "I think there's a path forward … to increase trade with China, while not falling afoul of what is an increasingly punitive administration in Washington," said Daly, with the Conference Board of Canada.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS OPEN FOR SENIORS IN SASKATOON THROUGH FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL FUNDING
SASKATOON, SK, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to address the urgent needs of Canadians. To provide seniors with increased access to affordable and sustainable housing, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan announced today a $990,000 joint investment. The official opening of the Columbian Manor Expansion Phase V, developed by KC Charities, marks a significant step in providing safe, supportive homes for low-income seniors. This project is adding 134 housing units for seniors in Saskatoon, including the development of 30 one-bedroom units, 20 fully accessible units and 10 barrier-free units for low-income seniors with limited mobility. The developer, KC Charities, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors in Saskatoon. Funding provided for this project is as follows: $990,000 in cost-matched funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy (NHS) – Saskatchewan Priorities Initiative (SPI) $ 340,000 from the City of Saskatoon $1,750,000 from KC Charities Quotes: "Everyone deserves a home to call their own. Thanks to our partnership with Saskatchewan through the National Housing Strategy, your federal government is helping to make that a reality for more seniors in Saskatoon. Safe, affordable, and accessible senior housing is a key part of our housing plan, making sure no one is left behind." – The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development) and Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River "When we work together with community partners, we can support developments that make a real difference in the lives of Saskatchewan people. The Columbian Manor project provides dignity, comfort, and connection to seniors who have given so much to our communities." – The Honourable Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) "The City of Saskatoon is proud to support the expansion of Columbian Manor, which reflects our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive and caring community. This partnership with KC Charities and other orders of government helps ensure that seniors in Saskatoon have access to safe, affordable housing and the support they need to thrive." - Mayor Cynthia Block, Mayor City of Saskatoon "A place to call home, where comfort meets affordability, and every senior is valued, respected, and cared for." - Norma Denis, Executive Director of Operations, KC Charities Inc Quick facts: The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed. As of March 2025, the federal government has committed $65.84 billion to support the creation of over 166,000 units and the repair of over 322,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence. NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need. All NHS investments delivered by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments will respect the key principles of NHS that support partnerships, people, and communities In 2019, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan entered into an agreement through the National Housing Strategy. The Canada-Saskatchewan Bilateral Agreement will invest $585 million over 10 years, which is cost matched between the federal and provincial governments. The Rental Development Program (RDP) provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to assist in the development of affordable rental housing units for households with low incomes. The RDP is funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC). KC Charities is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and supportive services for seniors in Saskatoon. Since 2007, it has worked with government and community partners to develop over 150 affordable housing units, helping seniors live independently in a caring and inclusive environment Associated Links: Visit for the most requested Government of Canada housing information. CMHC plays a critical role as a national facilitator to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. Our mortgage insurance products support access to homeownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. We also actively support the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable. Our research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, we contribute to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed so far. In November 2019, the Government of Saskatchewan released Saskatchewan's Growth Plan: the Next Decade of Growth 2020-2030, which sets out the Government's vision for a province of 1.4 million people by 2030. The Plan identifies principles, goals and actions to ensure Saskatchewan is capturing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of a growing province. To learn more, visit SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Saskatoon teen dancer chases dreams to Hollywood
WATCH: A Saskatoon teen is getting the opportunity of her dreams to pursue a dancing career on the biggest stages. A Saskatoon teen is getting the opportunity of her dreams to pursue a career dancing on the biggest stages. She's been invited to a two-week intensive camp to prepare her for the industry, but it's expensive, so she's raising money to pay for her trip. When Sky Ouellet posted a video dancing to a Tate McRae song on social media, she didn't think much of it. But it caught the eye of a respected choreographer and director based in Los Angeles. 'A couple of months after I posted it, this girl named Milena Fortunato commented on it,' said Ouellet. 'And then I just started following her. We started DMing each other, and then she invited me to join her program called the Business of Dance.' While she enjoys most genres of dance, Ouellet prefers hip hop. 'I kind of just fell in love with the style of hip hop,' Ouellet told CTV News. 'I trained in various other styles like ballet and contemporary. Hip hop is more loose in the body and also [includes] different types of styles like popping, locking, and breaking. Contemporary is more of a sad type of music; you flow more in your body and do more tricks. Hip hop is more of an upbeat music and more intense.' On top of her regular high school studies, Ouellet has been taking online courses to learn about the business side of dance in Hollywood. And her performance got noticed there too. 'She saw how good I was doing, and she gave me a $500 scholarship to the Hollywood Summer Tour,' she said. While in Los Angeles, Ouellet will be training with industry pros and studios, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry. 'I will have photo shoots, red carpet walks, music videos, and talent agency showcases,' she said. 'I'll be on TV; hopefully, it will take me far in my career.' Saskatoon teen dancer chases dreams to Hollywood (John Flatters/CTV News) In an industry with as many lows as it has highs, Sky's parents were hesitant at first. But they see her passion and the opportunity that the Hollywood Summer Tour offers their daughter. 'Something that we're really looking forward to is the agencies that are going to be there,' said Garett Ouellet. 'And she's going to be able to have seminars, information seminars with them. They're going to walk her through the ins and outs of the industry, and then she'll be able to showcase her talents in front of them.' While it's the opportunity of a lifetime, it's also an expensive trip in an already expensive sport. So, to help pay for the trip, her family is raising funds in a variety of ways. 'Our GoFundMe is our central fundraising place where you can go and donate,' said Ouellet. 'But we are working hard in other areas, like our bottle drives. It's been huge, so we've been going out most nights in our neighborhood. And it's been a small unit, just the five of us in a minivan.' Ouellet says SARCAN locations in Saskatoon will accept donations at the Drop and Go counter. 'The Drop and Go is huge; it's Sky's Hollywood Tour.' The family is also holding a Facebook auction, and Sky will be teaching a hip hop class in July to raise funds. She'll be bringing back something to raise money for the Children's Hospital too. 'We're having a supporter shirt done up,' said Ouellet. 'It's going to be autographed with all the artists and the special guests down there, and then it's going to be brought back and auctioned off for the Saskatoon Children's Hospital.' And while she has plans of performing at Madison Square Garden or the O2 Arena, Sky knows it's going to take a lot of effort. 'You don't just get famous overnight,' she said. 'You need to work hard for it, and you need to put in the time and effort and have the patience for it. Because if you don't have any of those three, then you will just not go anywhere, because there's no such thing as being famous overnight.' The Hollywood Summer Tour begins on July 22.
