‘New kind of frontier': Shareholder proposals on AI becoming increasingly widespread
The proposal from Quebec-based investor rights group le mouvement d'éducation et de défense des actionnaires centred on artificial intelligence. It asked 14 companies, including Canada's biggest banks, retailer Dollarama Inc. and telecom giant BCE Inc., to sign a voluntary code of conduct the federal government developed to govern the technology.
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CTV News
19 minutes ago
- CTV News
Immigrant children at risk of losing daycare spots can keep them: Quebec minister
Children's backpacks and shoes are seen at a daycare. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck) The François Legault government says it will partially suspend its directive that would expel many immigrant children from subsidized daycares and early childhood centres (CPEs) in Quebec. The directive from the Ministry of Family Affairs (MFA), published earlier this month, targets children whose parents have open work permits in the province. It stipulates that these foreign workers are not eligible for the standard $9.35 daily rate for childcare services. After an outcry, the ministry asked the network 'not to terminate the agreements of children who already have a place before the end of the ongoing checks,' said Family Minister Suzanne Roy on social media platform X on Friday. She clarified that the directive still applies to new admissions. 'Parents who are not eligible will not be able to benefit from a subsidized spot,' Roy said. Several families said this week that their children, who have been attending subsidized daycare for over a year, were at risk of being expelled. Responding to the challenge to the directive earlier this week, the minister said that 'the MFA will review the files of children who are already receiving services' before taking any action. Québec solidaire spokesperson Guillaume Cliche-Rivard said he was relieved by the government's reversal on Friday. 'It was the only thing to do,' he said in a statement. 'Not only would it have torn children away from their homes, but we have also seen numerous examples in recent days of immigrant parents who would have had to leave their jobs in essential sectors, such as caregivers and even childcare workers.' According to the directive, dated July 9, foreign workers with a closed work permit naming a specific employer and duration of employment, can enrol their children in Quebec's subsidized daycare system. Those with an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada, are not eligible for a reduced-contribution spot. The directive is based on the Reduced Contribution Regulation, which has been in place since 1997. Roy argued on Wednesday that this rule 'must apply' as it 'exists out of fairness to Quebec families who are waiting for a spot.' — This story by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 25, 2025 with information from Maura Forrest.
Canada News.Net
3 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Amazon buys startup behind wristband that transcribes conversations
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Amazon is making a fresh bet on artificial intelligence wearables by acquiring Bee, a San Francisco-based startup known for its AI-powered bracelet that records, transcribes, and summarizes conversations. The device, priced at US$50, can distill what it hears into to-do lists, summaries, and reminders. Its always-on microphone can be muted manually, offering users some control over privacy — a point Amazon emphasized in confirming the deal this week. While the acquisition has not yet closed, the e-commerce and cloud services giant said it plans to collaborate with Bee to enhance user transparency and control. Bee co-founder and CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo revealed the deal in a LinkedIn post, writing: "We imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you." She did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The startup was founded in 2022 and has been part of a growing wave of companies experimenting with on-the-go AI assistants. Amazon declined to disclose financial terms of the acquisition. This move follows Amazon's earlier, less successful attempt at entering the wearables market with its Halo wristband, a health tracker that was discontinued in 2023. It also produces Echo Frames, smart glasses embedded with its voice assistant Alexa. AI wearables have become an increasingly competitive space. Earlier this year, OpenAI acquired io, a hardware startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, in a deal reportedly valued at $6.5 billion. Other startups in the field have delivered mixed results, with many still navigating technical, privacy, and market adoption hurdles. In her announcement, Zollo thanked Amazon Devices chief Panos Panay, hinting that Bee will be integrated into his team after the deal's completion. Panay joined Amazon in 2023 and has been leading a revamp of the company's hardware division to focus more aggressively on AI.
The Market Online
4 hours ago
- The Market Online
Market Open: TSX Futures Slip as Traders Brace for U.S. Tariff Call
Futures tied to Toronto's main index slipped on Friday as investors watch closely, hoping the United States will hold off on imposing steep import levies. Market Numbers (Futures) TSX : Down ( 0.20%) 27,317.51TSXV: Down (0.19%%) 802.93DOW: Up (0.08%) 44,934.00NASDAQ: Down (0.05%) 23,366.25 FTSE: Down (0.36%) 9,105.15 In the Headlines: Three contractors working for Hy‑Tech Drilling were successfully rescued late Thursday after being trapped for more than 60 hours underground at Newmont Corp.'s Red Chris gold and copper mine in northern British Columbia. The Denver‑based operator said the rescue operation involved drones to assess subsurface conditions and a remote‑controlled scoop to clear a rockfall estimated at 20–30 meters long and nearly eight meters high. Once access was restored, emergency teams reached the MineARC refuge chamber where the workers had consistent access to food, water, and air, and brought them to safety. Newmont described the operation as 'carefully planned and meticulously executed' and noted that all three men, Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke, and Jesse Chubaty, were in good health and spirits. The mine's production remains suspended pending a thorough review and independent investigation into the incident. Currencies Update: (Futures) The Canadian dollar sinks over 0.30% to $0.7287 U.S., with the euro also edging down 0.05% to $0.6233, while Bitcoin takes a beating, dropping more than $3,310.66 or 2.04% to C$158,797.10 in a sharp crypto slide. Commodities: (Futures) Natural Gas: Up (1.78%), 3.14WTI: Up (0.60%), 66.43Gold: Down (0.81%), 3,340.92 Copper: Up (0.28%) 6.08 To stay up-to-date on all of your market news head to Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here
