Latest news with #BC-based
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Supercharge your wellness routine with this best-selling collagen powder.
Looking to level up your skin, hair and nail game this summer? Shoppers are raving about this one supplement — and no, it's not some random TikTok trend. Enter Organika's Enhanced Collagen Protein. This odourless and flavourless powder has earned a loyal following from skincare junkies. It's easy to mix in your smoothies, coffee, matcha and more. Plus it's packed with the good stuff to support glowing skin, healthy joints and stronger hair and nails without any sketchy additives. Oh, and did we mention it's sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle? Your body (and your morning latte) will thank you. As an added bonus, the collagen powder is made in Canada and available via Amazon's Canada Showcase. Keep scrolling to see why the beauty powder is worth the hype. While the unflavoured option is popular, this powder is also available in Lemon and Chocolate flavours. If you've heard the buzz about collagen but are still on the fence, here's what you need to know. Collagen powder has become a go-to supplement and the science backs it up. Studies have shown that hydrolyzed collagen (the kind used in most powders and Organika's supplements) can significantly improve skin elasticity (which decreases with age), hydration and texture, while helping to reduce wrinkles. It's also been shown to relieve joint pain and improve mobility in those with osteoarthritis, making it a popular choice for active individuals and those experiencing age-related joint issues. Each 500g tub contains pure collagen peptides sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle with no hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs. It's also gluten-free, keto-friendly and paleo-approved, making it a versatile choice for a range of dietary needs. Because it's hydrolyzed, it's broken down into smaller peptides for better absorption, meaning your body can actually put it to popular anti-wrinkle cream is made in Canada — and it's only $15 on Amazon I've been using this anti-aging face cream for over a year. It's just like La Mer's $525 cream, but it's $476 cheaper Paulina Porizkova, 59, is 'completely and utterly fangirling' over this viral anti-aging treatment The powder is also undetectable once added into hot or cold drinks, smoothies, soups, or baked goods and there's no weird aftertaste or clumps. 👜 12,000+ reviews ⭐ 4.5/5 stars 🏅 "One of the best collagen products I've tried!" Organika's Enhanced Collagen Protein has garnered a loyal following among Canadians for its quality and effectiveness. One happy shopper raved: "I started using this product to address joint discomfort, and it's been a game-changer!" Another said: "I already notice quite an improvement in my hair, skin, nails and even my joints after 6 weeks." Not sure what shoppers say about blending it with drinks? Rest assured. One shopper revealed: "The powder dissolves easily without altering the taste or texture of my drink." Did you know Organika is BC-based & family owned and operated for over 30 years? While most are thrilled with their purchase, some have noted about the size of the packaging and amount of product: "Disappointed that the container was way bigger than the contents." If you've been in search of a low-maintenance way to boost and supercharge your wellness, Organika's Enhanced Collagen Powder is the way to go. Between the stellar reviews and benefits, this powder is about to become your newest secret weapon.
Associated Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Alset AI Partners with Excel Computility to Expand AI Infrastructure Through Scalable PaaS Offering
Strategic Partnership Aims to Boost PaaS Model with Integrated Power and AI-Optimized Hardware Solutions VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Alset AI Ventures Inc. (TSXV:GPUS)(OTC PINK:GPUSF)(FSE:1R60, WKN:A3ESVQ)('Alset AI' or the 'Company') an artificial intelligence ('AI') venture company advancing innovation through strategic investment and cloud computing solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Excel Computility Service Ltd. ('Excel Computility'), a Richmond, BC-based provider specializing in AI-optimized hardware, services, and data center solutions. The strategic partnership has been formalized through a subcontracting agreement (the 'Agreement') between the Company and Excel Computility dated May 28, 2025. This collaboration aims to significantly scale the Platform-as-a-Service ('PaaS') model of Alset AI's portfolio company, ('Lyken') by integrating Excel Computility's advanced graphics processing unit ('GPU') clusters, AI-ready NAS systems, and data center expertise. The Agreement will remain in effect until all obligations have been provided in full (the 'Term'). Throughout the Term, Excel Computiliy will provide Cloud Computing hardware, support, and related services to Lyken, and other third-party clients with whom the Company has existing contractual relationships. Excel Computility brings experience in data center construction and offers a range of services including public and private cloud solutions, AI data center project consulting, and AI-ready NAS systems. Their infrastructure features high-performance servers such as Gigabyte G292-40/45 and Supermicro SYS-821GE-TNHR, equipped with 8 GPUs (H100, A100, or A6000), designed to meet the demanding requirements of AI workloads. Adam Ingrao, CEO of Alset, stated: 'Our formalized partnership with Excel Computility is a significant step forward in expanding Lyken's PaaS capabilities. By integrating Excel Computility's advanced hardware and data center solutions, we are enhancing our ability to provide scalable, efficient, and high-performance AI infrastructure to our clients across Canada and the United States.' This partnership aligns with Lyken's mission to provide end-to-end AI infrastructure solutions, enabling startups, enterprises, and public institutions to scale AI deployment with speed and confidence. The integration of Excel Computility's services will allow Lyken to offer a more robust and scalable platform, addressing the growing demand for AI compute power. About Alset AI Ventures Inc. Alset AI is a pioneering AI and cloud computing investment firm, committed to nurturing high-potential technology companies. Through a combination of capital, strategic advisory, and cloud computing alliances, Alset AI is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and building an AI-focused venture capital platform poised for substantial growth. About Excel Computility Service Ltd. Excel Computilityis a pioneering AI cloud and edge computing company dedicated to accelerating the AI revolution across Canada and multiple industry verticals. By delivering comprehensive, full-stack solutions-including AI data centers (AIDC), GPU cloud services, model-as-a-service (MaaS), and industry-specific edge AI solutions. Excel Computility empowers businesses to adopt AI in a service-driven, cost-effective manner, driving operational excellence and innovation. For further information about Alset AI Ventures Inc., please contact: Investor Relations Adam Ingrao Chief Executive Officer T: 236.312.6744 E: [email protected] Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, 'forward-looking statements') related to the strategic partnership between Alset AI and Excel Computility, including the collaboration's objective to significantly scale Lyken's PaaS model, anticipated steps to integrate Excel's advanced hardware and data center solutions to enhance Alset AI's ability to deliver scalable, efficient, and high-performance AI infrastructure across Canada and the United States, the parties' shared aspiration to empower startups, enterprises, and public institutions to deploy AI solutions with speed and confidence, and any implications resulting from the integration of Excel Computility with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like 'will', 'intend', 'anticipate', 'could', 'should', 'may', 'might', 'expect', 'estimate', 'forecast', 'plan', 'potential', 'project', 'assume', 'contemplate', 'believe', 'shall', 'scheduled', and similar terms. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this press statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Alset AI's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Alset AI. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Alset AI undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading 'Risks and Uncertainties' in its most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at SOURCE: Alset AI Ventures Inc. press release
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIZSLA COPPER COMMENCES AGGRESSIVE DISCOVERY-FOCUSED EXPLORATION SEASON ACROSS ITS BRITISH COLUMBIA PROJECT PORTFOLIO
VANCOUVER, BC, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF) (FRANKFURT: 97E0) (" Vizsla Copper" or the " Company") is pleased to report that it has commenced its multi-disciplinary, discovery-focused 2025 field season across its BC-based project portfolio. Exploration programs consisting of geological, geochemical, geophysical surveys and drilling are planned at the Copperview, Poplar and Woodjam projects. Work has now begun at the Copperview Project. HIGHLIGHTS Exploration has commenced at Copperview: Geological and geophysical crews have been mobilised to the Copperview project to further investigate the M5 target area. The highest-priority targets may be drill tested later this year. Drilling set to commence at Poplar: Drill crews are expected to mobilize to the Poplar Project in June. Over 2,000 meters of drilling are planned to systematically test the highly prospective Thira porphyry-related copper target. Drilling planned at Woodjam: Drilling at the Woodjam project will be focused on new discoveries at various porphyry targets that may include the Megaton area and the untested Great Plains target. Approximately 2,000 meters of drilling, set to begin late-summer, is planned. "The successful closing of our recent $5.5 million financing has set the foundation for an aggressive field program across four key target areas in the project portfolio" commented Steve Blower, Vice President of Exploration. "Drilling will concentrate on new discoveries at multiple projects, rather than extensions of known mineralization." 2025 Multi-project Exploration Program The focus of the 2025 exploration program across the Company's three main projects is the discovery of a new porphyry-related copper-gold±molybdenum system. High-priority targets at the Copperview, Poplar and Woodjam projects will be advanced. Details include: Copperview Project: The recently defined M5 target (see February 19 th, 2025 News Release) is the focus of ongoing geological mapping, geochemical surveys and expanded IP geophysics. The IP survey will comprise over 20 line kilometers across 7 east-west oriented survey lines (Figure 2). The lines are planned north and south of the two 2024 reconnaissance style IP lines that successfully identified the open-ended M5 target (see February 19 th, 2025 News Release). The M5 high-chargeability anomaly is spatially coincident with magnetic-low and conductivity-high anomalies and is considered highly prospective for concealed, porphyry-related mineralization in the dominantly till-covered area. The M5 target area is along trend, 6.5 kilometers north of Kodiak Copper's Gate discovery 2 (Figure 1). Contingent on geochemical and geophysical results, the M5 target may be drill tested this fall. Poplar Project: Over 2,000 meters of diamond drilling is planned at the Thira (formerly known as Poplar South) porphyry-related copper-molybdenum target (see January 15 th, 2024 News Release). The Thira target consists of a broad ~8 by 2 kilometer zone of porphyry-related alteration (phyllic and propylitic) exposed along road-cuts and sparse outcrop. The centre of the alteration zone is covered by till where coincident high-chargeability, magnetic, EM, and multi-element soil anomalies define a highly prospective porphyry-related copper target (see October 8 th, 2024 News Release). Further details of the drill program at Thira will be released prior to the start of drilling in the coming weeks. Woodjam Project: Approximately 2,000 meters of diamond drilling is planned at various targets, including the Megaton and Great Plains porphyry-related copper-gold-molybdenum targets. The Megaton and Great Plains targets are interpreted to be underlain by similar geology as the Southeast deposit, located approximately 2 kilometers to the southwest and 4 kilometers to the north respectively. Drilling at Megaton will target the northern extent of porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization discovered in previous drill programs (see December 5 th, 2023 News Release) and associated with a recently defined high-chargeability anomaly. Drilling at Great Plains will target a broad high-chargeability anomaly largely concealed beneath a thin veneer of glacial till (see October 30 th, 2024 News Release). Further details of the drill program at Woodjam will be released in the coming months. Figure 1. Map of the Copperview Project showing the location of the M5 target in relation to a regional magnetic-high lineament and Kodiak Copper's Gate discovery. 2 Figure 2. Project scale high-resolution magnetic data 1 showing the location of the 2024 IP survey and the strong chargeability anomaly across the M5 target (300m depth slice). See February 19 th, 2025 News Release for details. The recently commenced IP survey is focussed north and south of the 2024 reconnaissance lines. Digital Marketing Services Agreement The Company further reports that it has entered into an agreement with Machai Capital Inc. (" Machai") dated May 22, 2025 (the " Machai Agreement"), pursuant to which Machai will provide a digital marketing campaign. The term of the Machai agreement is for 6-month for a total retainer of C$303,000 (plus GST), to be paid up front. Under the Machai agreement, Machai will execute a comprehensive digital media marketing campaign for the Company commencing in May, 2025, including branding and content creation, data optimization services, including search engine optimization, search engine marketing, lead generation, digital marketing, social media marketing, e-mail marketing and brand marketing. Machai is a marketing, advertising and public awareness firm based out of Vancouver, B.C., specializing in advertising and public awareness in the metals and mining, technology, and special situation sectors. The payment described herein will come from the Company's general working capital account. Other than as discussed herein, Machai does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the company or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Machai is arm's length to the company, and the Machai agreement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Stock Option Grant The Company has granted a total of 18,500,000 stock options (the " Options") to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The Options will have an exercise price of $0.06, expire five years from the date of grant and shall vest over two years. The Options were granted pursuant to the Plan and are subject to regulatory approval. About Vizsla Copper Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo focused mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company is primarily focused on its flagship Woodjam project, located within the prolific Quesnel Terrane, 55 kilometers east of the community of Williams Lake, British Columbia. It has three additional copper properties: Poplar, Copperview, and Redgold, all well situated amongst significant infrastructure in British Columbia. The Company's growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of its copper properties within its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Copper's vision is to be a responsible copper explorer and developer in the stable mining jurisdiction of British Columbia, Canada and it is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically and with integrity. Vizsla Copper is a spin-out of Vizsla Silver and is backed by Inventa Capital Corp., a premier investment group founded in 2017 with the goal of discovering and funding opportunities in the resource sector. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ ( and the Company's website ( Qualified Person The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Christopher Leslie, Ph.D., Technical Advisor for Vizsla Copper. Dr. Leslie is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Some technical information contained in this release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The technical information has not been verified by Vizsla Copper and may in some instances be unverifiable. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby projects is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on Vizsla Copper's projects. References 1. Borg, I. and Bateman, C. (2023), Assessment report for 2023 exploration on the Copperview Project south-central British Columbia, Canada, Assessment Report Indexing System, Report 41573, 2. Kodiak Copper October 22 nd, 2020 News Release, Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: obtaining required regulator approvals for the Copperview Acquisition and the RG Copper Acquisition; satisfying the requirements of the Underlying Option Agreement; the exploration and development of the Poplar Project, Woodjam Project, Redgold Project and Copperview Project; and the Company's growth and business strategies. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Vizsla Copper Corp.
National Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
How robots and AI are building the future of construction
The future residents of 230 Royal York Drive will be able to say their home was built by robots. The nine-storey housing development in Toronto's west end is being built by Intelligent City: a BC-based construction design and technology company specializing in prefabricated mass timber buildings. Intelligent City uses AI software to design and optimize its projects, and robotic arms to actually put the pieces together. 'The more standardized things are, the easier they are to mass produce — and the more custom things are, the slower you are in production,' Intelligent City president Oliver David Krieg told Canada's National Observer. 'You have to find a middle ground, and that's where automation comes in; that's where robots come in,' he added. Intelligent City is one of a growing number of Canadian companies harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to make the construction industry more efficient and sustainable — at a time when the sector needs to build 3.5 million new units by 2030 to ease the national housing crisis. Intelligent City's design and manufacturing facility in Delta, BC, is home to a series of AI-powered machines programmed for various tasks, such as applying glue, screws, and nails. 'You can program the robots to basically repeat the same logic, but always with a slightly different variation to it,' Krieg said, explaining that machines programmed to apply glue to specific timber shapes can be reprogrammed for different configurations. 'Robots don't have to do the same thing over and over again. They can change what they do, and they don't care.' The components are then shipped to the construction site to be assembled (by humans, at least for now) into a building's structure. 'We wanted to make it easier and faster and a little bit more standardized for how we design and deliver housing, especially in urban centres, where we saw the most need and the biggest opportunity,' Krieg said. 'A lot faster' Aside from the quirky bragging rights of living in a robot-built apartment, the residents at 230 Royal York Drive — which is slated for completion by the end of the year — will also be able to boast that their home was made sustainably. Using mass timber instead of steel or concrete can reportedly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13 to 26 per cent. And because it's made from trees, the theory goes, it stores carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Though it should be noted that the jury's still out on whether or not that last point checks out in practice. Still, mass timber is naturally fire safe: instead of going up in flames, it chars like a thick log, helping the building retain its structural integrity. And it's sturdy in an earthquake, which might explain why the BC government has extended the cap on the earthquake-prone province's mass timber buildings from 12 storeys to 18, opening the door for companies like Intelligent City to scale up. Prefabricated homes cut down on building time by an estimated 30 to 50 per cent, since so many key components can be created offsite in a controlled environment that's not at the mercy of the weather. It's a key plank in Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan to double housing construction to 500,000 units a year. 'If you want to accelerate construction, if you want to make construction more productive, more efficient, and ultimately, higher quality, you take it into a factory,' Krieg said. 'You reduce onsite work and you increase the offsite work, and that makes it go a lot faster.' Data tracking 'AI has seen huge progress; capabilities are going up exponentially, and every day we're seeing new use cases,' said Wyatt Tessari L'Allié, spokesperson for Canada's Coalition for Responsible AI. One advantage is its ability to integrate data from sources like satellites, sensors or drones, he said. 'AI can be used to go through a lot of information and catch issues. And then once products are finished, a lot more efficiencies can be found in terms of energy use.' On the latter point, Montreal's BrainBox AI uses machine learning to monitor and coordinate building heating and cooling systems. Inspired by autonomous technology found in self-driving cars, BrainBox AI's exclusive AI combines a building's HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) data with external factors like weather, utility rate structures, and occupancy to learn its individual patterns and needs. From there it goes into autonomous mode, making decisions — like turning on a fan, a pump, or a heater — in real time. 'That may sound niche, but in terms of energy consumption — especially on a global basis — it's one of the biggest categories out there,' BrainBox AI CEO Sam Ramadori said. 'Therefore it's one of the biggest emitters out there. So our focus is optimizing the systems while they're running.' While it varies per building, Ramadori said integrating BrainBox AI's tech usually sees an HVAC energy reduction between 13 and 25 per cent. What sweetens the deal, he added, is that there's no big investment required, either. Instead of the hefty expenses associated with constant system changes or reprogramming — or hiring a team of people to come and evaluate a building's efficiency, which can take weeks — BrainBox AI taps into a building's existing HVAC control system and instantly starts to feed its data to servers. In newer builds, that connectivity happens with no physical installation at all: a software driver is simply downloaded into the building's system. Where that's not possible, an edge device around the size of a laptop is installed to connect the control system to the servers. It's all about scalability. After all, air conditioning alone accounts for nearly four per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. 'A big mission of BrainBox is to solve the emissions that buildings generate,' Ramadori said. 'We wanted to scale fast, and scaling fast means plugging into buildings that are already there.' The company's technology is used in over 15,000 buildings globally, primarily in the US, but also in Canada, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Its success led to its acquisition by Trane Technologies, a Dublin-based sustainable tech firm, in January. BrainBox will remain headquartered in Montreal, using the city as a base for reaching into new markets. 'Montreal and Toronto are two major AI hubs globally,' Ramadori said. 'There is a lot of interest in the team and how it continues to innovate. So they [Trane] are definitely interested in continuing to invest in the team based in Montreal.' Waste less water BrainBox AI isn't the only Canadian company focused on being easily grafted on to new or existing buildings. Vancouver-based Orca Water produces ultrasonic water meters and AI-driven sensors to track and understand a building's water usage. 'We started with the idea that water should be able to be measured anywhere it is used,' CEO Kerry Chin said. 'We know that's not the case right now. And we wanted to do this in a non-intrusive way, meaning you don't need to cut the pipe to put a measurement device inside.' Orca Water's sensors are attached to the outside of a pipe, and use high-frequency sound to measure water flow. From there, machine learning is used to analyze and understand water usage, identifying trends (such as where the majority of a building's consumption is coming from, be it the shower or the garden) and problems (which can be crucial in helping spot leaks before they turn into floods). This is especially useful when applied to a multi-unit building, allowing individual tenants to better understand their own water waste. 'Typically, buildings are not piped to support individual metering — they are just piped to support whatever is convenient for construction,' Chin said. 'You can't tell which user or which tenant or which business is using what, because everything is connected. That affects conservation, because if you can't measure an individual unit's usage, you can't give people data to help them do better.' Like BrainBox AI, Orca Water is primarily targeting existing multi-tenant buildings, because that's where the team feels they can affect the quickest change. Many of the company's customers are in Canada, though it does have an eco hotel in Austria that's currently using its technology. AI challenges The integration of AI does not come without concerns. The rare elements used to create AI-powering microchips are mined in ways that can take an ugly toll on the environment in the Global South. Even just training an AI model can use thousands of megawatt hours of electricity and generate hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide. Still, Tessari L'Allié said the construction sector doesn't have to worry just yet. 'In terms of the use cases for construction, I would be surprised if they're past energy intensive,' he said. 'That could change. But in the context of the construction industry, I think it's mostly beneficial [to use AI].' Another big fear is that machine learning will replace jobs, rendering humans obsolete. And in some industries, that threat is very real (just look at all of the consumer brands using ChatGPT as their copywriters). But when it comes to the construction sector, the issue isn't a lack of jobs — it's a lack of labour. An RBC report predicted more than 500,000 new construction workers are needed to build millions of new homes by 2030. At the same time, the construction industry could see up to 250,000 workers — particularly labourers and carpenters — retire. That's where AI is not just helpful, but necessary. Javier Glatt, co-founder and CEO at CadMakers, calls himself a 'techno optimist' on that front. CadMakers is a construction technology company that creates digital twins of future building projects, helping designers identify problems and inefficiencies before construction actually starts. The software doesn't utilize AI, but Glatt still believes in its value. 'In the construction industry, generally speaking, over the last few years, we haven't had enough people to do the jobs,' he said. 'We can't get enough people to do all the things we need to do.' Given that, AI can be a powerful tool not just for sustainability, but for economic growth – especially in a housing crisis. 'AI saves people time; it supercharges productivity,' Glatt said. 'So I think it's going to be net positive.'
Time Business News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Top 10 Tax-Saving Tips for Small Businesses in Canada
Running a small business in Canada comes with its share of challenges, from managing cash flow to staying competitive. One area where savvy entrepreneurs can gain an edge is taxes. Understanding the Canadian tax system and leveraging available deductions, credits, and strategies can significantly reduce your tax bill and keep more money in your business. At we've helped countless small companies to optimize their finances, and we're sharing our expertise with you. Here are the top 10 tax-saving tips for small businesses in Canada to help you maximize savings in 2025 and beyond. The Small Business Deduction (SBD) is one of Canadian small businesses' most powerful tax breaks. Offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the SBD reduces the federal corporate income tax rate for eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) on their first $500,000 of active business income. In 2025, the federal SBD lowers the tax rate from 15% to 9%, and many provinces offer additional SBD reductions. Your business must be a CCPC, meaning it's a private corporation controlled by Canadian residents. The income must come from active business activities (e.g., selling products or services), not passive investments. Your taxable capital and associated corporations must be below $50 million (with phase-outs starting at $10 million). Ensure your corporation is structured as a CCPC. Consult an accountant to verify eligibility. Track your active business income separately from investment income to maximize the deduction. Review provincial SBD rules, as rates and thresholds vary (e.g., Ontario's SBD rate is 3.2%). Example: A BC-based CCPC earning $400,000 in active business income could save approximately $24,000 federally and additional provincial savings by claiming the SBD. If you run your business from home, you may be eligible to deduct a portion of your home expenses. The CRA allows small business owners to claim expenses like rent, utilities, property taxes, and internet if your home is your principal place of business or used regularly for client meetings. Calculate the percentage of your home used for business (e.g., a 100-square-foot office in a 1,000-square-foot house = 10%). Apply that percentage to eligible expenses. For example, if your annual utilities cost $2,000, you can claim $200. For employees working from home (including yourself if incorporated), use the CRA's simplified method (e.g., $2 per day worked from home in 2025) or detailed method. Measure your workspace and document its exclusive business use with photos or floor plans. Keep receipts for all home-related expenses and file them securely. Use small business accounting software like QuickBooks to track and categorize these deductions. Tip: Don't overclaim. The CRA may audit excessive home office deductions, so ensure your workspace is genuinely business-dedicated. If you use a vehicle for business purposes, you can deduct related expenses, such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, and lease payments. The key is to separate business from personal use, as only the business portion is deductible. Keep a logbook tracking business trips (date, destination, purpose, and kilometers driven). Calculate the business-use percentage (e.g., 8,000 business km out of 10,000 total km = 80%). Apply that percentage to expenses. For example, if your annual fuel costs are $3,000, you can deduct $2,400. If you own the vehicle, claim capital cost allowance (CCA) for depreciation, subject to CRA limits (e.g., $36,000 purchase price cap for non-zero-emission vehicles in 2025). For electric vehicles, explore accelerated CCA rates (up to 100% in the first year for zero-emission vehicles). Use apps like MileIQ to automate mileage tracking. Retain receipts for all vehicle expenses. Consult an accountant to optimize CCA claims, as they can impact future taxes. Example: A freelancer driving 60% for business could deduct $4,800 of an $8,000 annual vehicle expense, plus CCA if applicable. The CRA's Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) allows you to deduct the depreciation of capital assets like equipment, furniture, and computers over time. Each asset falls into a CCA class with a specific depreciation rate (e.g., 20% for furniture, 55% for computers). Immediate Expensing : Eligible CCPCs can expense up to $1.5 million annually on certain new assets (e.g., equipment or vehicles) until 2027, allowing a full write-off in the purchase year. : Eligible CCPCs can expense up to $1.5 million annually on certain new assets (e.g., equipment or vehicles) until 2027, allowing a full write-off in the purchase year. Accelerated Investment Incentive : For assets not eligible for immediate expensing, claim up to 1.5 times the normal CCA rate in the first year. : For assets not eligible for immediate expensing, claim up to 1.5 times the normal CCA rate in the first year. Zero-Emission Vehicles: Claim up to 100% CCA in the first year for electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Identify eligible assets and their CCA classes using CRA guidelines. Decide whether to claim CCA, as it reduces your asset's undepreciated capital cost (UCC), potentially affecting future deductions. Work with an accountant to balance immediate expensing with long-term tax planning. Tip: Immediate expensing is ideal for businesses with high taxable income, as it maximizes deductions when you need them most. One of the simplest ways to reduce taxable income is to claim all eligible business expenses. The CRA allows deductions for costs incurred to earn income, provided they're reasonable and supported by receipts. Office Supplies : Pens, paper, software subscriptions (e.g., Microsoft 365). : Pens, paper, software subscriptions (e.g., Microsoft 365). Advertising : Website hosting, social media ads, or Google Ads. : Website hosting, social media ads, or Google Ads. Professional Fees : Legal, accounting, or consulting services. : Legal, accounting, or consulting services. Travel : Flights, hotels, and meals for business trips (50% limit on meals). : Flights, hotels, and meals for business trips (50% limit on meals). Training: Courses or certifications to enhance business skills. Categorize expenses in accounting software to streamline tax filing. Retain receipts and document the business purpose of each expense. Review CRA's 'reasonable expectation of profit' rule to ensure expenses align with revenue-generating activities. Example: A consultant spending $5,000 on marketing, $2,000 on software, and $1,500 on training could deduct $8,500, lowering their taxable income significantly. Canada offers several tax credits to encourage hiring and employee development, particularly for small businesses. Canada Employment Credit : A non-refundable credit for employers paying EI premiums, reducing payroll tax costs. : A non-refundable credit for employers paying EI premiums, reducing payroll tax costs. Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit : A credit of up to $2,000 per eligible apprentice hired. : A credit of up to $2,000 per eligible apprentice hired. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED): Refundable credits for businesses conducting R&D, offering up to 35% of qualifying expenditures for CCPCs. Review CRA's SR&ED eligibility criteria if your business innovates (e.g., developing new products or processes). Track wages and training costs for apprentices or new hires. File Form T2038 for employment credits during tax season. Tip: SR&ED credits are underutilized. Even small-scale R&D, like software development, may qualify. If you're a sole proprietor or partner, contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can reduce your personal taxable income while saving for retirement. For incorporated businesses, paying yourself a salary and contributing to an RRSP achieves similar benefits. Contributions are deductible up to your RRSP limit (18% of earned income, capped at $32,490 in 2025). Investment growth is tax-deferred until withdrawal, typically at a lower tax rate in retirement. Check your RRSP contribution room on your CRA My Account. Contribute before the deadline (March 1, 2026, for 2025 tax year). Balance RRSP contributions with business reinvestment needs. Example: A sole proprietor earning $80,000 who contributes $14,400 to an RRSP could reduce their taxable income to $65,600, saving thousands in taxes. Income splitting involves paying family members for legitimate work in your business, distributing income to lower-tax-bracket individuals. This is particularly effective for incorporated businesses. Hire family members (e.g., spouse or adult children) for roles like bookkeeping, marketing, or administrative tasks. Pay reasonable salaries or dividends, ensuring they reflect market rates for the work performed. Document their contributions with contracts, timesheets, and payroll records. Consult an accountant to comply with CRA's Tax on Split Income (TOSI) rules, which limit income splitting in some cases. Set up proper payroll accounts with the CRA. Ensure payments are made via traceable methods (e.g., direct deposit). Tip: Dividends may be more tax-efficient than salaries for family members in low tax brackets, but consult an expert to confirm. With Canada's push for sustainability, small businesses investing in green technologies can access valuable tax credits and deductions. Clean Technology Deduction : Immediate expensing for eligible clean energy equipment (e.g., solar panels or electric vehicle chargers) until 2035. : Immediate expensing for eligible clean energy equipment (e.g., solar panels or electric vehicle chargers) until 2035. Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentives : Deduct up to 100% of the cost of electric or hydrogen vehicles in the first year. : Deduct up to 100% of the cost of electric or hydrogen vehicles in the first year. Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Claim deductions for retrofitting business premises with energy-efficient systems. Review CRA's list of eligible clean technology assets. Document installation and purchase costs for tax filings. Stay updated on federal and provincial green incentives, as new programs may emerge in 2025. Example: A business installing $50,000 in solar panels could deduct the full amount in one year, reducing taxable income significantly. The most effective tax-saving strategy is partnering with a professional accountant who understands the Canadian tax system and your business. At our team specializes in identifying deductions, credits, and strategies tailored to small businesses, ensuring you don't miss opportunities or risk CRA audits. Expertise : Accountants stay updated on tax law changes, like new credits or deduction limits. : Accountants stay updated on tax law changes, like new credits or deduction limits. Time Savings : Free up your time to focus on growing your business. : Free up your time to focus on growing your business. Audit Protection: Proper documentation and compliance reduce audit risks. Schedule a consultation with to review your 2025 tax plan. Provide your accountant with organized records, preferably via cloud accounting software. Ask about year-round tax planning to optimize savings beyond tax season. Testimonial: ' helped us claim $15,000 in deductions we didn't know about. Their expertise saved us thousands!' – Sarah, Vancouver-based retailer. Reducing your tax bill as a Canadian small business owner doesn't require complex loopholes—it's about understanding the CRA's rules and leveraging available opportunities. From the Small Business Deduction to green energy incentives, these 10 tax-saving tips can help you keep more money in your pocket. However, tax planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every business is unique, and professional guidance can make all the difference. At we're committed to helping small businesses thrive. Contact us today to create a personalized tax strategy that maximizes your savings and ensures compliance. Let's make 2025 your most financially successful year yet! Book a free consultation with and discover how we can help your small business save thousands. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
