Government of Canada will lift PCR test requirement for short trips
The federal government will be lifting the PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers returning to Canada after short trips, CTV News has confirmed.
This means that as soon as this reentry requirement comes into effect, travellers who are coming back into the country within 72 hours of their departure will no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The PCR test requirement will remain in effect for trips longer than 72 hours.
All travellers entering Canada, regardless of vaccination status, have been required to present proof of a molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of crossing the land border or boarding a flight.
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Canadian inflation up 4.7% year-over-year in largest increase since 2003
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.7% on a year-over-year basis in October, up from a 4.4% increase in September. This was the largest gain since February 2003. Excluding energy, the CPI rose 3.3% year over year, matching the increase in September.
Energy prices were up 25.5% year over year in October, primarily driven by an increase in gasoline prices. Compared with October in the previous year, consumers paid 41.7% more for gasoline.
Prices for meat products (+9.9%) continued to rise in October, as fresh or frozen beef (+14.0%) and processed meat (+8.5%), which includes bacon (+20.2%), put upward pressure on prices.
In Ontario, higher tax and sewer rates, set to cover rising costs of existing services and infrastructure projects, contributed to an average 2.1% property tax increase.
Canada and ASEAN proceed with free trade agreement negotiations
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, met virtually with ASEAN Economic Ministers at the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) – Canada Consultations, where they announced that Canada and ASEAN have agreed to proceed with negotiations toward a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking an historic milestone in the Canada-ASEAN relationship.
The GNCC has supported broadening Canadian free trade and has championed the advance of potential trade agreements with Mercosur countries and India, among others.
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Statistics Canada to hold free webinar on understanding inflation
Why is inflation important? How is inflation measured? Why does it feel like you’re always spending more for groceries, housing and other goods and services? This webinar will explain the importance of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Canadians, exploring how Statistics Canada uses thousands of prices collected each month to measure overall consumer inflation. It will delve into how food and shelter prices are measured and help Canadians better understand the CPI and the role it plays in their financial lives.
The webinar will be held from 1 to 3:30pm on November 30. Click here for more information.
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Scotiabank plans phased return-to-office for mid-January
Bloomberg News
Bank of Nova Scotia plans to start a phased return-to-office plan for headquarters employees who are still working remotely on Jan. 17, marking the first of Canada’s largest banks to set a specific date for a broad return.
The return will be staggered for different groups, and the majority of head-office employees will be working in a hybrid model, spokesman Clancy Zeifman said in an e-mailed statement Wednesday. All employees at Toronto-based Scotiabank will be required to follow the bank’s mandatory vaccination policy.
Canada’s banks have kept the majority of their headquarters employees working remotely as the country has maintained many of its pandemic safety measures into the fall. Scotiabank’s target date for a broad return was selected based on guidance from medical advisers and in consultation with the government, Zeifman said.
Can Canada’s climate change commitments make the oilpatch more marketable?
Financial Post
The United Nations’ 26th annual climate change conference in Scotland drew to a close this week, and in a shift, Canada staked out several policy positions that put it ahead of the U.S. and China, its two major trading partners, at least in terms of limiting future emissions.
Where the U.S. and Canada both pledged to reduce methane emissions 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030, Ottawa went one step further and also agreed to cut methane emissions from its oil and gas industry 75 per cent below 2012 levels by 2030.
While Canada pledged to end all investment in future coal power generation, China and the U.S. have been less aggressive. These come on top of Canada’s prior commitments to carbon pricing, zero-emission vehicle targets and other policies.
It marks a reversal as the U.S. has been setting stricter climate goals, targeting a 50 to 52 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 while Canada is only aiming for a 40 to 45 per cent target.
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Niagara COVID vaccination tracker
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