Latest news with #Ottawa
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada's retail sales shrink as tariffs bite, June expected to improve
By Promit Mukherjee OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada's retail sales shrank by 1.1% in May as consumers curtailed car purchases and spent less at supermarkets, convenience stores and on alcohol, data showed on Thursday. Retail sales - closely watched by economists as they give an indication of GDP trends - had held up fairly strongly in the last two months, as concerns around the timing and magnitude of tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump brought forward purchases. But sales weakened as the impact of tariffs started hitting consumers and the general outlook around the economy paled. By contrast, an early or "flash" estimate showed retail sales likely grew 1.6% in June, though this figure is prone to correction, statistics agency StatsCan said. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a drop during May, similar to what was reported, and barring autos and auto parts, which contribute almost 30% to overall sales, they had predicted a drop of 0.3%. Sales excluding autos in May were down 0.2%, StatsCan added. The biggest drop was posted in the motor vehicles and parts dealers category, where sales contracted by 3.6%, after two consecutive months of increases. The drop was led by 4.6% lower sales at new car dealers, which fell for the first time since February, it said, adding that in volume terms, retail sales decreased 1.4% in May. LOWER BEER SALES Another declining sector was food and beverages. This category, which contributes up to 18% of total retail sales, saw purchases shrinking by 1.2%, led by lower transactions at convenience stores and a decline in sales of beer, wine and liquor. Economists noted the expected rise in sales in June which could indicate that GDP might improve in the second half of the year, but said trade tensions are likely to keep consumer spending under check. "Unless a trade deal is reached to significantly reduce U.S.-Canada tariffs ... we expect households will continue to tighten their purse strings as job losses and higher prices from tariffs squeeze disposable income," said Michael Davenport, senior economist at Oxford Economics. The Bank of Canada will announce its rate decision next week and is likely to keep borrowing costs on hold, but most economists expect the central bank will need to start easing rates again to support the economy. The largest increase in retail sales in May came in building materials, and garden equipment and supplies, which posted an increase of 1.9% following a decline of 0.3% in April. A survey of retailers by StatsCan on the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canada's countermeasures showed that 32% of retail businesses were impacted by the trade tensions in May, compared with 36% in April. The most common impacts in May were price increases, changes in demand for products, and increased expenses for raw materials, shipping or labor, it said, citing the survey. Sign in to access your portfolio
CTV News
34 minutes ago
- CTV News
2 adults, 3 children seriously injured in southeast Ottawa crash
Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa) The Ottawa Police Service is seeking witnesses to a serious two-vehicle crash in rural southeast Ottawa Wednesday afternoon. police say five people—two adults and three children—were seriously injured when their SUV and a dump truck collided in the area of Parkway and 9th Line roads at around 3:30 p.m. One of the children in the SUV suffered life-threatening injuries, according to police. The driver in the dump truck was not injured. Ottawa Fire Services say two of the people in the SUV were trapped. Firefighters removed both doors on the driver's side in order to extricate the trapped people. Fuel was leaking as a result of the crash, so firefighters spread absorbent on the leaking fuel and disconnected vehicle batteries prior to clearing the scene. Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dashcam or surveillance footage of this incident and who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Fatal Collision Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2345. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or
CTV News
34 minutes ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Supreme Court of Canada dismisses constitutional challenge of sex-work law
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCOC) on the banks of the Ottawa River is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, June 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a constitutional challenge of the criminal law on sex work, upholding the convictions of two men who argued its provisions are overly broad. Mikhail Kloubakov and Hicham Moustaine were convicted of criminal offences in an Alberta court as a result of their employment in 2018 as paid drivers for an escort business. The men successfully contested the criminal provisions in question on the constitutional grounds that they deprive sex workers of the right to security. A judge found the provisions were too broad because they apply to people receiving a material benefit from sex work who may otherwise support the safety of sex workers. The Crown appealed, arguing the trial judge mistakenly concluded that the provisions violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Alberta Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, entered convictions against Kloubakov and Moustaine and referred the matter for sentencing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
CBC
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- CBC
Join CBC at the Ottawa Rapid FC game on Aug. 13
Celebrate the exciting inaugural season of the Northern Super League, Canada's first women's professional soccer club. Enjoy an action-packed evening with CBC and the Northern Super League's Ottawa Rapid FC on Wednesday, Aug. 13. We're teaming up for a night of thrilling soccer, awesome prizes and community fun. Stop by the CBC tent just inside Gate 1 starting at 6 p.m. to kick off the excitement. What's happening at the CBC tent: Meet your favourite CBC hosts: Say hello to local CBC TV and radio personalities. Test your soccer skills: Think you've got what it takes? Challenge our CBC hosts in a soccer shootout for a chance to win a limited edition CBC Jibbitz. Strike a pose: Step into our photo booth and get a personalized NSL player card for you and your family and friends to take home. Trade, compare and create a lasting memento from the game. Win big: Don't miss out on exclusive giveaways and your chance to win limited edition NSL and CBC items. Come on down for an evening of soccer, entertainment and community spirit with CBC and the Ottawa Rapid FC.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Ring road not on Ottawa's future transportation road map
Light rush hour traffic crosses an inter-provincial bridge between Gatineau, Que. and Ottawa, Monday, March 16, 2020 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
