Canadian trucker rally finally ends in Ottawa

    Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 27/22

    THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

    The trucker “freedom” rally that resulted in an encampment that clogged Ottawa, Canada’s capital, with hundreds of parked big rigs and thousands of protesters for four weeks has ended as bail hearings against those arrested has begun.

   Police forces from across Canada were able to finally end the protest with the arrests of almost 200 people and the towing of hundreds of cars and trucks.

   Prime Minister Trudeau gave the police special powers to clear the streets and end the protest that started as anti-virus mandate rally.

   The government decided to withdraw a motion to enact the controversial Emergencies Act after a weekend of all-night debates by Parliament as the crisis was winding down.

   Similar protects closed the Ambassador Bridge linking Windsor, Ontario with Detroit that lasted six days and other smaller protests across the country.

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    News in brief:

   - Canadians having a snack attack might have some trouble finding their favorites due to a price dispute between Frito-Lay and Loblaws Canada, one of the country’s largest grocers with

2,400 stores nationally. Loblaws refused its latest shipment due to a higher price it said is needed to cover higher costs of expenses such as shipping, ingredients and packaging. For now, the chip maker has stopped shipping to Loblaws that said higher prices from suppliers will lead to “difficult conversations” on offering some products.

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     Facts and figures:

   Canada’s dollar is steady at 78 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.28 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is unchanged at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are lower, with the Toronto index at 20,761 while the TSX Venture index is 826 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is still at a record high at $1.56 a liter (Canadian) or $5.92 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max: (Feb. 22) 3, 13, 26, 27, 28, 36 and 45; bonus 50. (Feb. 18) 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 37 and 49; bonus 36.

   Lotto 6/49: (Feb.23) 4, 10, 28, 31, 33 and 43; bonus18. (Feb. 19) 4, 16, 30, 32, 37 and 44; bonus 35.

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    Regional briefs:

   - Three months before an Ontario election, Premier Doug Ford said he has found a way to inject more money into the economy – by eliminating license plate renewal fees. In the case of cars and pickup trucks, the saving each year amounts to $120 per vehicle. Gone is the requirement to have a license plate sticker for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds, effective March 13. All license plate sticker fees paid between March 1, 2020 and March 12, 2022 for vehicles owned by individuals is to be refunded.

 

 

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