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Dans son énoncé économique présenté mardi, le ministre des Finances, François-Philippe Champagne, estime que le déficit pour l’exercice financier 2025-2026 s’établira finalement à 66,9 milliards de dollars, à 11,4 milliards de moins que le manque à gagner de 78,3 milliards qu’il voyait dans sa boule de cristal quand il a déposé son premier budget, en novembre dernier. Le déficit aurait été encore légèrement inférieur, soit environ 60,6 milliards, n’eût été de nouvelles mesures annoncées depuis le début de l’année, notamment les 3,1 milliards pour la nouvelle Allocation canadienne pour l’épicerie et les besoins essentiels – une aide financière pour quelque 12 millions de Canadiens à faible revenu qui sera déposée sur leur compte de banque à compter du 5 juin. Le gouvernement Carney a aussi utilisé cette manne inattendue pour investir 1,7 milliard afin d’accélérer la construction de logements. L’amélioration du solde budgétaire aurait été du même ordre, soit d’environ 10,7 milliards par année en moyenne, pour les quatre prochains exercices financiers. Mais Ottawa a fait le choix d’utiliser cette hausse des revenus à d’autres fins.
À quatre mois de la campagne électorale, la première ministre a voulu couper l’herbe sous le pied de ses adversaires avec un allègement fiscal de 630 millions sur cinq pour 75 000 petites entreprises. Elle a choisi de faire son annonce mercredi en Beauce, terreau fertile aux PME, mais aussi au Parti conservateur du Québec qui milite pour des baisses d’impôt. Le chef libéral Charles Milliard et le chef péquiste Paul St-Pierre Plamondon ont tous deux promis de réduire le fardeau des PME en cas de prise du pouvoir. M. Milliard s’est engagé l’an dernier à baisser de 11,5 % à 10 % le taux général d’imposition des PME, un répit de 3000 $ dollars par année pour une entreprise dont le revenu imposable s’élève à 150 000 $. De son côté, M. St-Pierre Plamondon a promis en janvier un « allègement fiscal historique » pour les PME sans donner de détails.
The Trump administration rejected all four women farmers chosen by their peers to represent them in an industry group called the United Soybean Board earlier this year, a rare intervention by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that three of the women suspected was because of their gender. From the Pentagon to the U.S. Department of Education, the Trump administration has vowed to root out policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, from every layer of government. Normally, soy farmers pick their representatives and the USDA signs off. This time, the USDA rejected at least five of the farmers selected for the United Soybean Board, including four women. It did not give any reason, according to three of the women.
Britain's King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the UK and the U.S. will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy, at a time of deep divisions between the two long-time allies over the war with Iran. "Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk their lives in the service of our countries," Charles told U.S. lawmakers during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla. In a speech that Buckingham Palace said beforehand would not be political, Charles also made references to President Donald Trump's criticism of NATO, highlighted the importance of continued U.S. help for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the dangers of isolationism, and even a call for the safeguarding of nature, an important issue to the king for most of his life.
The deputy chairman and leading labour representative of TK Elevator, which is to be bought by Finnish peer Kone in a $34.4 billion deal, on Wednesday slammed the proposed transaction, calling for an extraordinary board meeting. "I note this announcement with great dismay," said Knut Giesler of German union IG Metall, who also serves as the deputy chairman of TKE's supervisory board. TKE employs more than 50,000 people worldwide and the proposed deal has stoked fears of job cuts. IG Metall said the fact that labour representatives were not informed ahead of the announcement constituted a breach of trust. "In this context, we are calling for an extraordinary meeting of the supervisory board to be convened without delay within the next seven days, in order to receive detailed information on the next steps," Giesler said.
First Brands Group selected BDO as its auditor due to the accountancy firm’s “less rigorous” approach, a former senior employee of the auto parts maker told a court-appointed examiner investigating its failure. First Brands’ sudden collapse into bankruptcy in September rocked US credit markets, where it had raised $12bn of financing, and led to fraud charges against its founder Patrick James and his brother Edward. The James brothers pleaded not guilty to US charges in February. In a preliminary report published on Monday, an examiner appointed by the Texas court overseeing First Brands’ bankruptcy claimed the group was “sustained by fraudulent financing transactions” and quoted witnesses saying BDO could have uncovered accounting irregularities if it had done more work.
Leaders of two prominent Indigenous organizations in the Northwest Territories are urging the federal and territorial governments to restore and bolster dental care, an essential service that has become far less accessible for people in remote communities in recent years. Dene National Chief George Mackenzie said in an interview that many of the people he represents are suffering from untreated dental issues, leading to chronic pain, infection and loss of productivity. “Children in particular face challenges in their education due to dental pain, and overall community health indicators have deteriorated,” said Mr. Mackenzie, who is also the Northwest Territories Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.
Dans une lettre obtenue par La Presse Canadienne mardi, le chef libéral Charles Milliard demande à rencontrer la première ministre, à propos de ce projet d’entente sur le développement de Churchill Falls (Labrador) qui pourrait lier le Québec pour des décennies à venir. La veille, lundi, en marge d’une mission économique à Washington, Mme Fréchette avait tenté de se montrer rassurante, à quelques jours d’une échéance importante. En mêlée de presse, elle a dit qu’elle avait bon espoir que le projet de partenariat irait de l’avant, alors que pourtant, il n’y a toujours pas d’entente finale et que les deux parties, Québec et Terre-Neuve, s’étaient donné officiellement jusqu’à ce jeudi 30 avril pour en conclure une.
Le dirigeant travailliste, arrivé au pouvoir en juillet 2024, ne parvient pas à éteindre cette polémique à rebondissements, née de sa décision de nommer Peter Mandelson, figure influente mais controversée du Labour, au poste d’ambassadeur aux États-Unis malgré ses liens avec le criminel sexuel Jeffrey Epstein. Il est accusé par certains députés d’avoir menti à la représentation nationale lorsqu’il a assuré que la procédure avait été respectée lors de cette nomination, et il fait face à des appels à la démission de la part de l’opposition. À la tribune de la Chambre des communes, la cheffe de l’opposition conservatrice, Kemi Badenoch, qui fait partie des députés réclamant une enquête parlementaire, a d’abord attaqué Keir Starmer, arguant qu’il était « évident » que ses déclarations à la chambre sur la nomination de Peter Mandelson n’étaient « pas correctes ».
The United Arab Emirates said it would leave OPEC, dealing a heavy blow to the oil cartel as the war in Iran scrambles alliances and investment priorities among the world’s top oil producers. The sudden departure of OPEC’s third-biggest producer further weakens a bloc that despite producing up to four out of every 10 barrels of oil pumped worldwide has been hobbled by internal disunity and the rise of American oil output. The war in Iran has piled more pressure by exacerbating rifts among the Arab countries at the core of the group and by closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which the group’s biggest producers export most of their oil, making it impossible for the group to influence the market during its biggest supply shock.
Barrick Mining said on Tuesday Wessel Hamman will serve as the chief financial officer of the new company that will hold its North American assets following its IPO. Tim Cribb will serve as the chief operating officer, the company added. The planned IPO aims to sharpen operational focus and the value of Barrick’s North American mines, which produced about 2 million ounces of gold attributable to the company in 2025, while giving the business standalone leadership and flexibility. Earlier this year, Barrick’s current interim CEO Mark Hill was named as North American unit’s chief executive and president. The new entity, to be called North American Barrick, will include Carlin, Cortez and Turquoise Ridge operations in the Nevada Gold Mines complex, which is the largest gold-producing region in the world.
Starboard is now a top-five shareholder in the company and has been privately engaging with Dynatrace management in recent months, the draft letter to the company says. The letter is written by Starboard managing member Peter Feld and is expected to be delivered on Tuesday. The activist believes Dynatrace should be a big winner from more companies integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, according to the letter. Yet it has been underperforming, and its shares are trading at a discount relative to its peers in software infrastructure and cybersecurity, the letter says. Dynatrace had a market value of almost $11 billion as of Monday. Its stock is down more than 15% year-to-date and down more than 20% over the past 12 months. There has been a wide selloff in software stocks this year, with investors concerned that those businesses could be replaced by artificial intelligence.
Kimmeridge on Tuesday urged shale producer Devon Energy's incoming board to swiftly pursue asset sales, improve capital allocation and revamp executive pay to boost shareholder returns after its merger with Coterra Energy closes. Investment firm Kimmeridge, a well-known activist investor in the energy sector, holds about a 1.4% stake in Devon, according to LSEG data. Kimmeridge said the combined company risks a "conglomerate discount" unless it streamlines its business and focuses on high-margin assets, even as the deal creates scale and free cash flow potential. The deal, announced in February and expected to close on May 4, will create a giant U.S. shale producer with an enterprise value of about $58 billion. Devon and Coterra did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
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The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday, but warned that interest rates may need to change depending on the duration of the oil price shock and the outcome of trade talks with the United States and Mexico. As widely expected, the bank’s governing council kept its policy rate at 2.25 per cent for the fourth consecutive time, even as the conflict in the Middle East has pushed energy prices sharply higher and squeezed Canadian consumers at the gas pump. Governor Tiff Macklem said his team decided to “look through” the energy price shock in the near term. But he said the trajectory of monetary policy will depend to a significant degree on how long oil prices remain elevated – something that’s contingent on the outcome of peace talks between the United States and Iran.
La transaction, qui avait été annoncée au début du mois, a été conclue lundi. Elle découlait du processus de vente et de sollicitation d’investissements mené sous la supervision de la Cour supérieure et de Raymond Chabot. La Financière Outremont a ainsi mis la main sur la majorité des actifs de Groupe Colabor et de ceux de ses filiales Les Pêcheries Norref Québec et Transport Paul-Émile Dubé. Aux prises avec des difficultés financières, Colabor s’est placé à l’abri de ses créanciers en janvier. L’entreprise s’est trouvée acculée au pied du mur après avoir été frappée par une attaque informatique juste après s’être endettée pour conclure une acquisition.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to 'get smart soon' and sign a deal, following days of deadlock in efforts to end the conflict and a media report that the U.S. would extend its blockade of Iran's ports. In a post on Truth Social, Trump, who has said Iran can call if it wants to talk and has stressed repeatedly that Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon, said the country "couldn't get its act together". The Wall Street Journal cited U.S. officials as saying the president had instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran's ports in a bid to force Tehran to capitulate. Officials said Trump had opted to continue squeezing Iran's economy and oil exports with the blockade as his other options - resuming bombing or walking away from the conflict - carried more risk, according to the WSJ.
Elon Musk is set to return to the witness stand on Wednesday in a high-stakes trial over a lawsuit he brought against OpenAI, alleging the company ditched its mission to be a responsible steward of AI for humanity in pursuit of profits. In testimony on Tuesday before a nine-person jury in Oakland, California federal court, the world's richest person sharply criticized the 2019 decision by the nonprofit OpenAI co-founder and Chief Executive Sam Altman and its President Greg Brockman to create a for-profit entity. "If we make it okay to loot a charity, the entire foundation of charitable giving in America will be destroyed," Musk testified. OpenAI has said it created a for-profit entity to allow it to buy computing power and pay top scientists. Its lawyers have argued that Musk is motivated by a compulsion to control OpenAI and bolster his own AI company, SpaceX unit xAI, which lags OpenAI in user adoption.
A group of activist shareholders and workplace and church-based pension funds have kept up pressure on the UK banks previously leading on climate initiatives over their policy changes, taking a stand at their annual meetings.The re-election of NatWest chair Rick Haythornthwaite at its meeting on Tuesday showed signs of a protest vote with support down to 92.1 per cent compared with 97.63 per cent the previous year, based on provisional results. Church of England Pensions Board director of climate and the environment Laura Hillis said the vote reflected a level of disappointment, particularly among individual minority shareholders.
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson sent a letter to shareholders urging them to vote for his three board nominees, as he critiqued the company’s new CEO pick as evidence of “broken governance.” Wilson’s letter Wednesday said Lululemon’s board didn’t understand the apparel company’s brand, which has been leading to its challenges. Last week’s announcement of 30-year Nike veteran Heidi O’Neill, which sent shares down, further demonstrates the board’s disconnect with what the brand needs, Wilson said. “The existing board does not have the skillset to hire a world-class brand/product person who can deliver on the newest zeitgeist or style of the moment,” Wilson wrote.
South Shore Furniture, one of Canada’s major furniture makers, is shutting down operations as it buckles under trade pressure. The Quebec-based company said it could not continue in the face of dumping by rivals from China and Vietnam, which has lowered prices. It also cited the effect of U.S. import tariffs, which have hurt its own sales into the country and redirected Asian exports slated for the U.S. to less restrictive markets like Canada. “For Canadian manufacturers such as South Shore Furniture, demand has just simply vanished on both sides of the border,” the company said in a news release Monday. It said its own sales have dropped 77 per cent between 2022 and 2025.
Europe’s imports of jet fuel loaded from the Middle East in April are set to dry up due to the Iran war disrupting Middle East supplies, data shows, raising concern of a supply crunch before the peak summer travel season. European countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development grouping of industrialized nations consume about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of jet fuel and kerosene, while regional refineries produce only around 1.1 million bpd, leaving a shortfall of at least 500,000 bpd that imports must cover. Last year, nearly 60 per cent of OECD Europe’s jet fuel imports from outside regions came from the Middle East, according to Kpler data, leaving Europe highly exposed to disruptions linked to the conflict and the closure of key shipping routes.
En mission économique à Washington, Mme Fréchette a rencontré le représentant américain au Commerce et l’un des principaux acteurs de l’ACEUM, Jamieson Greer. La rencontre de haut niveau, qui a duré environ une heure, visait à projeter une image positive du Québec et à le positionner comme un partenaire fiable. Christine Fréchette a réitéré qu’elle n’entendait faire aucune concession sur la langue française et la gestion de l’offre dans le cadre du renouvellement de l’entente commerciale. « Pour moi, c’est non négociable », a‐t‐elle déclaré en entrevue au réseau TVA.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberals are “good fiscal managers” — and he’ll have the chance to prove it when the federal government tables its spring economic update Tuesday afternoon. The federal government typically tables mid-year updates between annual budgets to revise its economic and fiscal projections. These updates can include new spending and are sometimes referred to as “mini-budgets.” The Liberals’ fall budget — the first under Carney’s leadership — projected a deficit of $78.3 billion for the last fiscal year, with deficits declining and averaging around $64 billion annually over the five-year horizon. The federal fiscal monitor for April 2025 to February 2026 shows the deficit came in at $25.5 billion over the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.
The Thomson Reuters Foundation report found that DEI targets were common for gender but were rare for ethnicity and disability as only 53% of companies in the dataset reported a public DEI target of some kind, mostly on gender. Just 8% of companies said they set ethnicity targets and 5% set disability targets and fewer than half of all companies set time-bound DEI targets. There’s also been a decline of companies that do report on ethnicity, as only 26% of companies report any workforce-level ethnicity breakdown, dropping to 16% who report ethnicity breakdown at board level from last year. "Unlike gender reporting, we are still far from meaningful global benchmarking for disability nor ethnicity," said Katie Fowler, director of responsible business at the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Lululemon Athletica is appointing an executive with significant branding and marketing experience to its board as the athletic apparel maker's founder presses management to revive its brand, sources told Reuters. Esi Eggleston Bracey, who was chief growth and marketing officer at Unilever until earlier this year and previously held senior positions at Procter & Gamble, will become a director immediately, the sources said. At Unilever, which makes Dove personal care products, she led the global transformation of marketing across a portfolio of more than 400 brands. She also worked at cosmetics maker Coty where she helped reposition its CoverGirl brand.
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