Ontario Conservative leader quits after sexual misconduct claims

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 28/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Ontario Conservative party has been thrown into disarray after leader Patrick Brown abruptly resigned over sexual misconduct claims by two unidentified women.

   Brown, 39, a bachelor, denies being involved in inappropriate actions with the young women about 10 years ago.

   In his fall from power, Brown says he will remain a politician for Simcoe North as he fights the accusations.

   The bombshell comes just months before Brown was to lead his party into the June 7 provincial election as a favorite against the ruling Liberals and New Democrats.

   The Conservatives appointed finance critic Vic Fedeli to be interim leader while naming Brown’s successor will be done by March 31.

   Fedeli suggested that Brown take a leave of absence to defend himself, adding that he “believes the women.”

   Meanwhile, Kent Hehr has resigned from the federal cabinet as sport and disabilities minister after being accused of making inappropriate sexual remarks while a provincial politician a decade ago.

   “Harassment of any kind is unacceptable and Canadians have a right to live and work in environments free from harassment,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

   ---

Bank of Canada boosts trendsetting interest rate

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 21/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The cost of borrowing has gone up again as Canada’s central bank raised its trendsetting interest rate.

   The jump by one-quarter percent by the Bank of Canada is the third increase since last summer and the highest rate in nine years.

   An impressive increase in economic numbers led the bank to raise the rate but it warned of the potential impact of uncertainties about rewriting the North America Free Trade Agreement.

   There’s speculation the bank will increase the rate at least twice more this year but potential negatives about the agreement’s outcome could affect its outlook.

   The bank said “some continued monetary policy accommodation will likely be needed” to keep the economy operating close to its full potential.

   “We can't just relax and assume that it would be a small shock,” said bank governor Stephen Poloz.

   Trade impacts of the deal’s demise might not have such a major impact on Canada but would likely impact the amount of investment in the country.

   Canada’s major banks almost immediately raised their prime lending rate by 0.25 percent to 3.45 percent.

   ---

Protests over Tim Hortons shops cutting employee benefits over $14 minimum wage

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 14/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Protesters have gathered outside the iconic Tim Hortons coffee shops encouraging a customer boycott.

  They’re upset that some of the chain’s franchisees have eliminated paid breaks and reduced health benefits for employees to compensate for having to pay a higher minimum wage.

   That was explained as a way to cope with higher costs with the Jan. 1 increase in Ontario’s minimum to $14 an hour from $11.60 and to $15 next year by the provincial government.

   Parent company Restaurant Brands International denounced the action against the workers, saying it doesn’t reflect its values.

   Many franchised owners say, however, they have “no alternative” but to implement such cost-saving measures “in order to survive.”

   Restaurant Brands has confirmed that some Hortons locations as well “in select markets have slightly increased prices for some breakfast menu items.”

   The Canadian-based multinational fast food restaurant, founded by Horton, the late Toronto Maple Leafs’ hockey player, has more than 4,600 outlets in 90 countries.

   ---

Baby it's cold outside; Canada caught in the deep freeze

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 7/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   They’re talking about the weather in eastern Canada but unable to do much about it aside from keeping warm and away from blizzard “bombs.”

   Unrelenting frigid air has much of Canada in its grip, setting record low temperatures in Toronto and many places.

   In Atlantic Canada, a ferocious storm cut power to 150,000 customers, flooded coastal roads, battered sailboats and downed trees with hurricane-force winds.

   Affected by the “weather bomb” with up to 20 inches of snow were Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

   Just as things appeared to be warming after Toronto set a record -23 C (-10 F) overnight Friday, plus wind chill, Environment Canada issued a province-wide warning to prepare for more cold and snow.

   Toronto has opened additional warming centers and is using armouries as shelters for the homeless.

   The so-called polar vortex with frigid Arctic air has turned the usual free-flowing Niagara Falls into a frozen spectacle.

   ---