Atlanta | Reuters — Japan’s Economy Minister Akira Amari said on Friday negotiators were close to reaching a sweeping Pacific Rim trade deal, citing progress on the remaining issues involving autos, dairy products and intellectual property protections for expensive biologic drugs. Amari, who spoke to reporters before a meeting of the 12 trade ministers represented in […] Read more
TPP deal near resolution, Japan says
Pearce: Outdoor Farm Show hosts Kubota’s ‘triple play’
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is no stranger to ribbon cuttings and product launches, but not many companies open a new show-site facility and pull the wrapping off two new products all at once. Kubota Canada this year didn’t even wait for the official start of the Outdoor Farm Show, but did it all a day […] Read more
VW scandal might ‘hurt’ diesel prices, gas analyst says
CNS Canada –– The scandal gripping German automaker Volkswagen and its diesel-powered passenger cars could ultimately result in a glut of diesel coming onto the market, according to a fuel analyst. “I don’t think anybody sees diesel going away forever, but from a passenger vehicle (viewpoint) we really need to get more evidence. Is this […] Read more
U.S. hosts meeting in bid to wrap up Pacific trade pact
Washington | Reuters — The United States has called ministers from the 12 nations negotiating a Pacific trade deal for a meeting Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 in a bid to finish the pact, a key part of the U.S. administration’s engagement with Asia. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) seeks to cut trade barriers and set […] Read more
Ships’ sailing season starts soon at Churchill
CNS Canada –– Manitoba’s Port of Churchill is almost ready to start moving grain this season, as ships are expected to go out within the next 10 days, the port’s operator said. “The elevator is starting to fill up and the rail cars are lining up for delivery on time. We’ve got ships predicted to […] Read more
Ex-Viterra chief to take Ontario’s Hydro One public
The chief executive who morphed Saskatchewan Wheat Pool from a debt-crushed grain handler into Viterra, then oversaw its sale to Glencore, has been tapped to take Ontario’s Crown-owned power utility public. Toronto-based Hydro One on Thursday announced Mayo Schmidt as its new president and CEO effective Sept. 3, replacing Carmine Marcello. “We believe that Mr. […] Read more
Diesel not expected to follow gasoline’s sudden jump
CNS Canada –– Despite a recent spike of up to 20 cents per litre more for gasoline in some Prairie centres, diesel isn’t expected to follow the same trajectory. “For every three cents that gasoline has gone up, diesel has gone up one,” explained Dan McTeague of GasBuddy.com in Toronto. On average, gas prices jumped […] Read more
Tumour surgery to sideline CN chief
The CEO of Canada’s biggest rail network expects to be off work until late fall for surgery and radiation treatments on a precancerous tumour. Canadian National Railway’s (CN) chief executive Claude Mongeau said Wednesday he expects to have surgery either near the end of this month or early in September, to remove a rare type […] Read more
N.S. halts local-level biomass, wind power plan
Nova Scotia is ending its feed-in tariff program that pays local-level groups to generate power from biomass, wind and other renewable sources. Energy Minister Michel Samson said Thursday a provincial review of the community feed-in tariff (COMFIT) program shows it’s “at a point where the program could begin to have a negative impact on power […] Read more
Alta. cuts ranchers’ water pump rental fees
Ranchers and farmers renting the Alberta ag ministry’s pumps and pipes to move water for livestock watering and domestic use in dry areas may now get the equipment for half the going rate. The province announced Thursday it will cut the rental fees charged under its annual Water Pumping Program, through which producers, or groups […] Read more
