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CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
Lower tolls and fares on P.E.I.'s Confederation Bridge and ferries starting today
Prince Edward Island's Confederation Bridge is seen on May 31, 2022. (CTV Atlantic) CHARLOTTETOWN — It now costs less for drivers to cross the 12.9-kilometre Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to Canada's mainland. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this week the toll for an average vehicle will drop from $50.25 to $20 to cross the bridge. About one million vehicles a year drive over the crossing, which opened in 1997, connecting the Island to New Brunswick. The toll is only applied for vehicles leaving P.E.I. Other federally supported ferry services in Eastern Canada are also seeing their fares reduced by 50 per cent for passengers, vehicles and commercial traffic. The federal government estimates the toll and fare reductions will cost about $100 million, but Carney predicted the changes would generate increased traffic and lower the cost of living. The federal Liberals promised to lower the fares during the April election campaign. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.
CBC
31 minutes ago
- CBC
He owns a chunk of downtown St. John's. He's now in receivership
New David Levine and two of his companies owe $1.8M, according to Deloitte Restructuring An Ontario man who for years has owned a large chunk of downtown St. John's commercial real estate is now in receivership due to the hundreds of thousands of dollars he owes to the Royal Bank of Canada. In a letter dated Feb. 24, the bank said David Levine owed the bank a total of $1,763,315.13, across three entities: Levine and his two companies, Sir Humphrey Limited and First Metro Commercial Realty Corporations. Those entities are collectively called the Levine Group. The bank also put the Levine Group into receivership. The five properties are 168 Water St., 146-152 Water St., 202 Water St., 302-304 Water St. and 177-183 Duckworth St. The Levine Group owes a total of $1,850,637.17 to secured and unsecured creditors, with the vast majority owed to RBC. CBC News requested comment from Levine — who lives in Thornhill, Ont., according to documents — but he did not respond to interview requests. According to the February letter filed by RBC, the Levine Group had collateral mortgages, a mortgage, general assignments of rents, and security agreements pertaining to these downtown St. John's properties. As the secured creditor, RBC tapped Deloitte Restructuring Inc. as the receiver and manager, which gives Deloitte the ability to sell and dispose of the Levine Group's secured assets. "For greater certainty, all monies received by Deloitte after providing all costs, charges, and expenses of or incidental to the exercise of its power, including legal fees, shall be applied in and towards the satisfaction of any and all obligations, debts and liabilities," the letter reads. CBC News asked RBC about its plans for the properties. Over email, spokesperson Lori Smith directed all inquiries to Deloitte. Deloitte did not respond to CBC News's request for an interview. Unpaid city taxes According to a document filed by Deloitte, as of February the Levine Group collectively owes the City of St. John's a total of $82,527.79 in unpaid taxes. CBC News asked the city if the amount Deloitte cited is accurate, how far the taxes owed date back and if any action had been taken to recoup the unpaid taxes. Spokesperson Jackie O'Brien said the city doesn't comment on specific individual tax account files, pointing to the privacy law. "Generally speaking the city would work with a business or resident to recover monies owed," she wrote in an email. Deloitte also claims the Levine Group owes Newfoundland Power $4,785.25, as well as small amounts to the CRA, the provincial Finance Department and private mortgage company Graysbrook Capital.
CBC
31 minutes ago
- CBC
Smaller alcohol producers, retailers urge Doug Ford to say no to store-brand booze sales
Ontario alcohol producers are pressuring the Ford government not to allow supermarket chains to sell their own private-label wine and beer, saying it would hurt local businesses. In a letter to the premier obtained by CBC Toronto, several industry groups asked that the province "conclude its current consultation" and "shelve this concept." Should private-label booze products be allowed, the group — which said it represents "nearly all small-and medium-sized independent alcohol producers and retailers operating in Ontario" — argues it will be put at an unfair advantage. "Small, independent producers and retailers cannot compete with the scale and buying power of large chains, able to push their own branded products and dominate shelf space," the group said in the letter. Dated July 22, the letter was signed by the heads of seven industry groups: Beer Canada, Spirits Canada, Wine Growers Ontario, Ontario Craft Wineries, the Ontario Craft Cider Association, the Ontario Convenience Store Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. The letter also warns that allowing store-brand alcohol sales would "have damaging, long-term consequences for Ontario's economy, jobs, and communities." Private label adds competition: retail council Premier Doug Ford and his government recently expanded the province's alcohol market, allowing beer, wine and coolers to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. As the province consults with the industry about making further changes to Ontario's rules on booze sales, big box stores and large grocers recently began lobbying for the province to end its current ban preventing them from selling their own alcohol brands in their stores. WATCH | Ontario alcohol sales expand to convenience, grocery stores: Beer, wine sales begin in Ontario convenience stores 11 months ago Costco, for example, already offers several types of wine and spirits produced by its Kirkland Signature brand, but they're not sold in Ontario. The Retail Council of Canada, which represents all the large supermarket and big-box chains including Costco, Loblaws, Walmart and Sobeys, told CBC News in an email in June: "Private label increases competition, lowering prices for customers, because brewers and vineyards need to indirectly compete with the lower retail prices of private label brands." Gary Sands, a senior vice-president with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, said it would be "impossible" for small grocers to pivot and develop their own store-brand products. "There's just no way we'll be able to compete on price," he said in an interview, adding craft wine and beer producers will be similarly affected. "They know they'll end up getting blown out of the water, too." Province says no changes coming this year Asked about the province's alcohol sale plans, a spokesperson for Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy sent a statement from 2024 saying the government would continue to bar the sale of private-label booze "until at least 2026 to provide [a] level playing field for small and medium-size producers and provide ample choice for Ontario consumers." "The government will continue to consult with other market participants on the issue, including considering the appropriate guardrails if government introduces private label products," Colin Blachar said in the statement. Joe Aversa, an associate professor at the Ted Rogers School of Management who researches retail management, says smaller alcohol producers have reason to be concerned. "There's a major economic impact when it comes to lower prices. Private label tends to undercut name brands by 20 to 30 per cent, if not more," he said in an interview. "It's going to be hard for [smaller producers] to stay competitive in the market, especially if you're talking about a cheaper product that is now going to be available." On the flip side, Aversa says allowing private-label alcohol sales would give consumers cheaper options and could drive competition with the industry by creating "pressure to improve" for other producers and retailers.
