Business

The New Mexico Senate narrowly approved a constitutional amendment to let voters decide in November whether to allow direct legislative pay tied to the state's median income, an effort advanced this session by younger female lawmakers who cited challenges balancing work, family and legislative duties.

Dan Levitt of the B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate said the 2026 provincial budget pauses several planned long-term care projects and that thousands of seniors are waiting for beds.

Oil prices rose about 3% after U.S.-mediated Russia–Ukraine talks in Geneva ended quickly and as reported tensions between the U.S. and Iran continued.

General Motors will invest $63 million to upgrade stamping operations at its Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant, part of $1.5 billion committed there since 2020.

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, and a Liberal social media post said he will be named a "special advisor on economic and security partnerships."

U.S. factory production rose 0.6% in January, the biggest monthly increase since February 2025, and overall industrial production advanced 0.7% as capacity use ticked higher.

U.S. officials say Venezuela's oil production could climb 30–40% this year as Western firms show renewed interest after licenses were issued; production has fallen by about half since 2017.

Uber will invest more than US$100 million to build DC fast chargers at its autonomous depots and pit stops, starting in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Dallas, and it has agreements with chargepoint operators to support wider rollouts.

The Chartered Business Valuators Institute's M&A Outlook Survey reports broad expected buyer participation in 2026, with private companies (91%), private equity firms (85%), public companies (76%) and family offices (76%) anticipated to be active; the survey links this to available capital and a focus on prudent investment and risk management.

The Globe editorial says growing shortages of fuel, food and medicine in Cuba have prompted calls for Canadian aid, but it argues Ottawa should avoid government‑to‑government assistance and channel help through trusted international organizations instead.

Tigo Energy announced its Green Glove program has logged 1,500 installer engagements and the company has deployed more than 12,000 customized onboarding sequences across ten countries.

A fire at a Fredericton apartment building damaged the roof and top floor and displaced several residents; the landlord said neighbours and local businesses have provided a supportive outpouring of donations and support.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $6.6-billion defence industrial strategy to raise domestic defence procurement to 70% and create 125,000 jobs over the next decade; industry leaders welcomed the move while urging clearer procurement timelines.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is returning to British Columbia after attending a vigil for victims of a recent Tumbler Ridge shooting; his itinerary includes a Vancouver fundraiser and community events in Richmond.

A Climate Central analysis finds top coffee-producing countries are experiencing an average of 57 extra days per year of heat damaging to coffee plants, with Brazil seeing about 70 extra days and Colombia about 48. Farmers report harvest losses and market pressures as production and bean quality are affected.

Montreal welcomed 11.8 million visitors in 2025, a 7.3% increase from 2024, led by a 10% rise in domestic travel and a 17% gain from Atlantic Canada.

B.C.'s 2026 budget raises income tax rates and broadens the provincial sales tax while the government projects provincial debt will rise toward $183 billion.

Ottawa's new defence industrial strategy aims to more than triple Canadian defence-industry revenue and create 125,000 jobs over the next decade, and industry leaders say it should spur private investment and help firms reach foreign markets.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to release today a $6.6-billion "Buy Canadian" defence industrial strategy that aims to prioritize domestic military procurement and says it could support up to 125,000 jobs over the next decade.

Meta said it will expand its partnership with Nvidia to build clusters using the Vera Rubin platform, and the agreement was reported as covering "millions" of chips.

Dominic LeBlanc will lead a six-day trade mission to Mexico with about 250 Canadian business and government representatives, focused on five priority sectors as Ottawa seeks to broaden trade ties while the USMCA/CUSMA agreement is up for review this year.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said his caucus is federalist and opposes Alberta separatism, while the group Stay Free Alberta is seeking nearly 178,000 signatures by May to trigger a referendum.

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey presented a budget projecting a record $13.3 billion deficit next fiscal year and expanding the PST to include some professional services.

Pebble Beach Company and Hanse Golf Course Design will undertake a comprehensive redesign of The Links at Spanish Bay beginning after March 17, 2026, and the course is scheduled to reopen for public play on April 17, 2027.

A judge granted a hearing to review the investigation that led to charges against former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore and said Moore's due process may have been violated after a detective did not disclose an employer-employee relationship; the hearing is set for March 2.

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey will present a budget Tuesday aimed at slowing deficit growth, with the current fiscal year forecast at an $11.2-billion shortfall.

China's Foreign Ministry announced Canadians can visit mainland China without a visa for stays up to 30 days through at least the end of the year; the announcement follows a recent visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Ohana Development has launched the USD 4.1 billion Manchester City Yas Residences project in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre announced digitisation of off‑plan registrations and bookings through its Madhmoun platform with mandatory escrow oversight.

U.S. supply concerns and a recent international ministerial on critical minerals coincided with reports of renewed high-grade gold and polymetallic exploration activity in British Columbia's Golden Triangle.

Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to 2.3% in January from 2.4% in December, with lower gasoline prices the largest contributor to the deceleration; core measures excluding food and energy also moderated.