Employees from all five of Canada’s big banks have flooded Go Public with stories of how they feel pressured to upsell, trick and even lie to customers to meet unrealistic sales targets and keep their jobs. The deluge is fuelling multiple calls for a parliamentary inquiry, even as the banks claim they’re acting in customers’ best interests. In nearly 1,000 emails, employees from RBC, BMO, CIBC, TD and Scotiabank locations across Canada describe the pressures to hit targets that are monitored weekly, daily and in some cases hourly. “Management is down…
Read MoreMonth: March 2017
Revamped Air Miles Rewards A Big Win For Consumer Rights After Troubled Year: Expert – National | Globalnews.ca
Following a firestorm over its (now cancelled) expiration policy, Air Miles has announced “enhancements” to its loyalty program. Starting April 3, all cardholders will receive the same merchandise offers, as opposed to a tiered system allowing some users access to more offers than others. That means all cardholders — whether they are base-level “blue,” prime “gold” or a premium “onyx” member — will see the same offers when they log in. However, gold members will get 10 per cent off all merchandise, and onyx members will get 20 per cent off…
Read MoreSmall N.S. Community Chosen As Launch Site For Space Rockets | CTV Atlantic News
CANSO, N.S. — A small rural community on Nova Scotia’s eastern coast could soon be the launch site for satellite-carrying rockets. Maritime Launch Service Ltd., says it has committed to establishing a launch complex near Canso and Hazel Hill. The company says it chose the location in Guysborough Municipality after an assessment of 14 potential locations across North America. Once completed, the site would be used to launch the Ukrainian-built Cyclone 4M rocket into space. The company says the Ukrainian provider of the rocket, Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash, has been in…
Read MoreCanada’s Oil Industry Expected To Lose Another $1.1B This Year – Business – CBC News
All in, the board forecasts that Canadian oil companies will lose a cumulative $1.1 billion Cdn before taxes in 2017. That’s better than the $8.6 billion lost in 2016, but still solidly in the red. “Global demand is expected to increase in coming years, suggesting that prices will continue the upward trajectory that began late last summer,” board economist Carlos A. Murillo said. “Despite recent positive developments, however, we do not expect the industry’s bottom line to return to positive territory until the fourth quarter of this year given that it started…
Read MoreCoast Guard Sends Cutter to Washington | The Maritime Executive
On Monday, shortly after news broke of a potential $1.3 billion dollar budget cut for the United States Coast Guard, the service announced the deployment of its newest vessel to Washington for a series of official tours. In a media advisory, the Coast Guard said that the Sentinel-class cutter Lawrence Lawson and her crew would be at the D.C. Fireboat Pier on Wednesday for a press tour, a short stopover before her official commissioning at Cape May, New Jersey. The Coast Guard says that the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter offers…
Read MoreNewly minted Conservatives hope to help stop Leitch, O’Leary – Nova Scotia – CBC News
It was the desire to oppose candidates — not support one — that prompted Kelly Maher to join a political party for the first time in her life. The Halifax resident said she recently joined the Conservative Party of Canada because she wanted to try to stop two leadership candidates in particular from winning the race in May. Fourteen people are vying to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper as party leader. “If [Kellie] Leitch and [Kevin] O’Leary are some of the front-runners then I would want to do what I can to…
Read MoreFail policy: 259 students were failed in N.S. schools last year | The Chronicle Herald
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s education minister says 259 students were failed last year from Primary to Grade 9 across the province. Karen Casey revealed the number Thursday after being asked again to clarify whether or not there is a no-fail policy as part of the province’s education system. The issue was one of those raised by teachers as part of their recent contract dispute with the province. Casey again reiterated that her department does not have a no-fail policy, and decisions on whether to pass or retain students rests with…
Read MoreFuture generations benefit from the actions of Viola Desmond
Many African Nova Scotians have courageously changed the cultural landscape of our province by standing up for what’s right and fighting against inequality. Many activists do not aspire to become advocates for equality; sometimes it just happens. Viola Irene Desmond was a black businesswoman who is celebrated as a pioneer in the social justice movement. Desmond challenged racial inequality in a movie theatre in New Glasgow. It may be difficult for many of our students today to comprehend that there was a dark time in our history when African Nova…
Read MoreBorder the big issue as a Trump official finally set to visit Ottawa: Chris Hall – Politics – CBC News
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is coming to Ottawa on Friday, the first member of President Donald Trump’s inner circle to accept an invitation to head north for meetings with his Canadian counterparts. That might not sound like a big deal, but it is. For weeks now, Canadian politicians have trekked south to meet members of the U.S. cabinet and Congress, each visit built around the singular purpose of reminding, convincing and cajoling the Americans into understanding that the economic relationship between the two countries supports jobs and investment…
Read MoreUpset, angry and confused: Protesters call for inquiry into cabbie’s acquittal – Nova Scotia – CBC News
Hundreds of people attended a protest Tuesday afternoon in Halifax calling for an inquiry into the actions of Judge Gregory Lenehan. Protesters said they’re furious the provincial court judge acquitted taxi driver Bassam Al-Rawi of sexual assault last week. In his decision, Lenehan said the Crown had failed to prove the complainant did not consent. Organizers of the protest said the acquittal is proof the justice system is built on victim-blaming and they’re demanding change. Read full story here: Upset, angry and confused: Protesters call for inquiry into cabbie’s acquittal – Nova Scotia – CBC News…
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