Chinese shipyard chosen to build new BC Ferries
Vancouver Watch
BC Ferries has chosen a Chinese state-run company to build four new vessels – a move that drew sharp criticism.
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CTV News
41 minutes ago
- CTV News
Two Aeroplan members lose $13,000 in points after getting hacked
Two Ontario residents told CTV News they were saving points for their dream vacations but found out they were hacked, losing points worth about $13,000. Aeroplan is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada with about five million Canadians as active members. If you're one of those five million, you may want to check your account. Aeroplan points are being targeted by scammers hoping to convert them into gift cards. Two Ontario residents told CTV News they were saving points for their dream vacations but found out they were hacked, losing point amounts valued at almost $13,000. 'I was totally shocked. I couldn't believe it at first until I checked again and they were gone,' said Frances Parkin of Toronto. Parkin told CTV News she was an English language teacher in France in the 1960s and was saving her points to take a trip back to Paris. She said she had 417,500 Aeroplan points collected—worth about $8,000—which went missing. 'Someone had purchased a series of gift cards (with my points),' said Parkin, who also admitted she hadn't checked her account for more than a year. 'It's like seeing your bank account disappearing,' added John Guiler of Markham. Guiler is also a long-time collector of Aeroplan points and has been collecting them for over 35 years. Both Guiler and his wife love to travel and after he retired last year, they were planning to use their saved Aeroplan miles to take a dream vacation. But, he said he was shocked when his 245,000 points—worth about $5,000—went missing. 'In January we started to look at trips and discovered we had missing points,' Guiler said. His said his account had been hacked by someone who also bought gift cards, and he was told by Aeroplan the points would not be returned. 'They had refused to reinstate the points because they were stolen over a year ago. I never had any indication I had fraud on my account.' When CTV News reached out to Aeroplan's parent company, Air Canada, a spokesperson said in a statement, 'We are sorry to hear about their experience, but unfortunately the length of time that has elapsed, with the customer only notifying us nearly two years after this issue arose, makes it impossible for us to investigate.' 'Moreover, while we have safeguards in place to protect accounts, under the terms that customers agree to when they enrol in Aeroplan, we state clearly that members should notify us 'immediately' of any concerns about their accounts. We also note that they are responsible for monitoring their account activity, as early detection is important for reinforcing security.' Rewards Canada—a website that monitors loyalty offerings and provides information on loyalty programs—told CTV News to prevent theft, it's better to use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, secure your email account, beware of phishing scams and monitor your account activity often. 'There has been a lot of security issues with accounts being hacked or taken over and people lose those points or miles,' said Patrick Sojka, founder of Rewards Canada. 'I recommend people check their loyalty balances at least a minimum of once a month or more. These points are just like cash, so treat it like cash.' Both Guiler and Parkin are frustrated their hacked points are gone for good. 'To not have any possibility of redeeming them was shocking,' said Parkin. Aeroplan points can be lost due to fraud, but you can also lose them due to 'account inactivity.' To keep your points from expiring you need to make at least one Aeroplan transaction every 18 months.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
$30B in new investments needed to meet Canada's critical mineral demand: report
Protesters and community members chant and wave signs, as they listen to speakers during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston TORONTO — A newly released report estimates Canada will need at least $30 billion in new capital investments by 2040 if it wants to meet domestic demand for the critical minerals key to a green economy transition. But the Canadian Climate Institute's report says cutting back on environmental safeguards and Indigenous consultation to speed up those projects is likely to backfire. The report released Thursday says those cutbacks can lead to delays later on, due to community opposition or litigation. The think tank's latest report comes as the federal government, along with Ontario and British Columbia, face major pushback from First Nations and environmental groups to legislation intended to speed up mining project approvals. The report says Canadian governments should support Indigenous participation and reduce environmental risks as part of efforts to reduce regulatory delays. It says Canada has a big opportunity to capitalize on the surging domestic and global demand for critical minerals to build the batteries, solar panels and electric vehicles required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It estimates domestic demand alone for six key critical minerals, including lithium and copper, will reach $16 billion by 2040 if Canada keep up its climate policies, with almost half of that coming from EV manufacturers. To meet that demand, the think tank estimates Canadian mining projects will need a total of $30 billion in capital investments, and even more if the industry wants to help satiate international demand too. The report says that's also likely a lowball figure since it excludes major cost overruns that often plague mining projects. The estimated domestic need 'vastly exceeds' current investment in the sector, which averaged about $2 billion per year from 2018 to 2023, the report said. The report suggests there's a role for governments to step in to support the sector with either equity investments or financial risk-sharing agreements. But it should not come at the expense of Indigenous consultation or environmental oversight, the authors say. 'Successful projects that are being developed fast are the ones that have participation from Indigenous communities, that have adhered to the highest environmental standard,' said co-author Marisa Beck, the think tank's clean growth research director. Critics say recently passed Bill 15 in B.C. and Bill 5 in Ontario gives those provinces sweeping powers to exempt mining projects from environmental oversight and undermines constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. The provincial governments disagree and say the legislation will help speed up approvals without sacrificing First Nations rights or environmental protections. Ottawa has also faced pushback to its legislation intended to speed up infrastructure approvals. The authors of Thursday's report declined to comment on the specifics of those legislative efforts, but it did put forward several policy recommendations. Governments should also support Indigenous communities exercising their right to self-determination and economic participation, such as through funding for Indigenous-led environmental assessments, the report says. Elsewhere, the report recommends provinces strengthen mining regulations to reduce environmental risks and liabilities, such as requiring producers to make their closure plans publicly available. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025. Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Toronto hosting the FIFA World Cup is a ‘once-in-a-generation-opportunity.' Here's why
The countdown has begun. Toronto will host the first ever FIFA World Cup game on Canadian soil exactly one year from today on June 12, 2026. It will be one of six World Cup matches slated for the city – including a round of 32 match - with Vancouver set to host another seven matches. An expanded BMO Field will be temporarily rebranded as Toronto Stadium for the occasion, in keeping with a FIFA policy. And fans can expect a host of other events around the city, including an official fan festival. 'This is just enormous. Ever since FIFA awarded the World Cup to Canada, (the United States) and Mexico back in 2018—seems so long ago, really—we've never been more excited in anticipation, as this is one of the world's largest sporting events,' Ontario Soccer CEO Johnny Misley told CTV News Toronto in an interview. 'We're preparing behind the scenes to take full advantage of this. It really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.' Here is what you need to know about the FIFA World Cup and what it could mean for the city: The economic impact of the 2026 World Cup—both in how much it costs, and how much it'll bring in Toronto is looking at a hefty bill to host the tournament next year, as it is projected to cost around $380 million to hold the six games here. The federal government is putting up $104.3 million to help cover the costs with the provincial government providing around $97 million—meaning Toronto is on the hook to front around half that tab, at $178.7 million. The city had hoped the province would contribute money toward tournament expenses but a report prepared by city staff recently revealed that nearly half ot of the province's contribution comes in the form of services it is providing, like health care, policing and transportation. The latest estimate for those services—still in negotiation—cost around $39 million leaving less cash than expected to offset city expenses. That said, Mayor Olivia Chow tabled a motion, approved by council, directing the city manager to curb World Cup expenses to around $340 million until the city has found savings or secured enough money (through intergovernmental funding or other revenue sources) to front the full $380 million budget. While hosting the tournament comes with a hefty price tag, the World Cup is also expected to generate considerable revenue for Toronto's economy. The city says the major sporting event is expected to generate serious cultural and economic benefits, from tourism growth to job creation. Last December, Deloitte Canada released an economic impact assessment estimating the World Cup could generate up to $940 million for the Greater Toronto Area's economy. Broken down, $520 million is projected to come in GDP growth, $340 million from labour income and $25 million from government revenue. It is also forecast to bring more than 6,600 jobs until 2026. 'If you look at the impact of past World Cups, I think those numbers seem very reasonable,' Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce told CTV News Toronto. With the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, held nearly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA reported selling around 3.18 million tickets across the tournament's 64 matches. The organization said it generated US$686 million in revenue from ticket sales, with average attendance rate hovering around 96.3 per cent. Outside of an injection of revenue into the local economy, there will also likely be some long-term impacts for Toronto too—a 'lasting legacy,' as Tisch describes it. BMO Field, as an example, is receiving a $146 million makeover to boost capacity and 'enhance stadium infrastructure, technology and overall appeal.' 'If you look at something like the Ontario Line that's being built right now or upgrades to Pearson Airport (…) the lasting legacy includes better infrastructure, it includes a stronger global brand that will have a long-term benefit for tourism and repeat business because people want to come back to somewhere where they've had a great experience,' Tisch adds. What could the next World Cup be like for tourists and locals in Toronto? Building on that lasting legacy, Destination Toronto's Andrew Weir says the FIFA World Cup will also have a long-lasting impact on the city. 'This has a significant long tail, this event, because the profile and reputation lift that Toronto experiences when you host these global mega events is significant and that stimulates more travel demand for the future,' Weir told CTV News Toronto. With millions of soccer fans tuning into World Cup games in Toronto, Weir says the televised broadcasts will provide that 'perfect destination postcard shot,' capturing part of what the city hast to offer for out-of-towners. 'Think about that (overhead) shot from BMO Field with the entire downtown core, the Princess Gates at Exhibition Place, the whole downtown core, the lake, the islands,' Weir said. The tourism company's president also noted Toronto's vibrancy as playing a factor for drawing fans in to watch the game. Already there is a FIFA Fan Festival announced, where music, food and live broadcasts of the game will take over Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway. The city said the goal is to deliver an 'outstanding' host city experience to showcase all Toronto hast to offer, adding it remains 'open to hosting major international events' aligned with the city's goals. 'I've always said Toronto is the place you want to be for a World Cup because whatever team is playing, or whatever two teams are playing, there's an energy around that game because there's a community here to celebrate those teams,' Weir said. 'You can move around the city and go experience any (…) matches at restaurants and bars with that community—there's not a lot of cities you can experience that.' Torontonians may be concerned about the influx of tourists clogging up their roadways—the city's FIFA secretariat is even proposing restricting traffic in the neighbourhoods surrounding BMO Field—Weir says he hopes locals take advantage of the momentous occasion. 'When we've had celebrations in the past, when Taylor Swift was here, when the Pan-Am Games were here, it may cause come inconveniences because of either traffic rerouting or street closures, but that's part of why we live in a big city—because we want to be where big things happen,' Weir said. Local soccer leagues hope for boost with Toronto FIFA World Cup Holding the World Cup in Toronto will act as 'catalyst' in boosting numbers for local soccer leagues—at least that's what the president of Toronto Soccer Association hopes. 'It's going to represent the pinnacle of what's possible in our own backyard. I'm hoping that there's going to be a surge in interest after this because our clubs—our community clubs—they deserve this,' Ross Cannone told CTV News Toronto. 'Like all sporting events that happen—like the Olympics or if we win the World Series—it always helps the sport that it belongs to, and we're hoping this pushes us back because we lost a lot of numbers after COVID.' Ontario Soccer, meanwhile, has launched a years-long campaign to take full advantage of the excitement expected to be generated by the World Cup. 'We impact a million households in Ontario, 500,000 players play the game in this province, I every community, so we wanted to make sure that we get people excited this year and do a number of activities to get them sort of focused,' Misley said, adding there are two main objectives to get people into the ball game. 'One is to engage Ontarians in every community and second is to really celebrate the culture of the sport, which can mean viewing parties, it can mean playing, wearing your favourite colours even, participating in local homes and barbecues and restaurants and doing parties (…) all around the province.' With files from CTV News Toronto's Laura Sebben
