Business

Anurag Sharma’s legal non-conforming unit in the Janion in Victoria. The size of the condo is around 290 square feet. (Photo courtesy of Anurag Sharma)

‘Very hurt’: New Airbnb restrictions spark backlash from B.C. landlords

Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act will force landlords out of the market, some say

Anurag Sharma’s legal non-conforming unit in the Janion in Victoria. The size of the condo is around 290 square feet. (Photo courtesy of Anurag Sharma)
A gas pump at Petro One gas station off Egan Drive (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Long lines at gas pump unlikely, but Middle East crisis could disrupt oil supplies, raise prices

Fifty years after the 1973 Arab oil embargo, the current crisis in…

A gas pump at Petro One gas station off Egan Drive (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. The minister says the government’s latest attempt to prevent disruptive disputes at British Columbia’s ports will lead to change this time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa promises to fix ‘time and again’ issues underpinning B.C. port strike

Canada’s labour minister says the federal government’s newest attempt to prevent disruptive…

Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan speaks to reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. The minister says the government’s latest attempt to prevent disruptive disputes at British Columbia’s ports will lead to change this time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
FILE - A Netflix sign is photographed outside its office building in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Netflix reports earnings on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Netflix password crackdown results in surge of new subscribers

Company announces 8.8 million new accounts added in quarter ending in September

FILE - A Netflix sign is photographed outside its office building in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Netflix reports earnings on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
File - The Starbucks Workers United logo appears on the shirt of a person attending a hearing in Washington on March 29, 2023. Starbucks sued the union organizing its workers Wednesday, saying a pro-Palestine social media post from a union account early in the Israel-Hamas war angered hundreds of customers and damaged its reputation. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Starbucks sues Workers United union, saying pro-Palestinian post damaged its reputation

Starbucks sued the union organizing its workers Wednesday, saying a pro-Palestine social…

File - The Starbucks Workers United logo appears on the shirt of a person attending a hearing in Washington on March 29, 2023. Starbucks sued the union organizing its workers Wednesday, saying a pro-Palestine social media post from a union account early in the Israel-Hamas war angered hundreds of customers and damaged its reputation. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport on June 10, 2020, in Denver. United Airlines says that it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights. The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Window seat passengers board first as United Airlines tries to speed loading

‘It spreads people out so that more people can put their luggage away at the same time’

FILE - A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport on June 10, 2020, in Denver. United Airlines says that it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights. The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
This Dec. 7, 2016, photo provided by Amazon shows an Amazon Prime Air drone in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. Amazon announced the successful delivery of a package by drone to a customer in Cambridge, U.K., part of a small testing program. With drones, Amazon aims to make deliveries in 30 minutes or less. Packages must weigh five pounds or less and can only be delivered during the day and in clear weather. Amazon plans to expand the trial to hundreds of users. (Amazon via AP)

Amazon will start testing drones that will drop prescriptions on your doorstep, literally

Amazon will soon make prescription drugs fall from the sky when the…

This Dec. 7, 2016, photo provided by Amazon shows an Amazon Prime Air drone in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. Amazon announced the successful delivery of a package by drone to a customer in Cambridge, U.K., part of a small testing program. With drones, Amazon aims to make deliveries in 30 minutes or less. Packages must weigh five pounds or less and can only be delivered during the day and in clear weather. Amazon plans to expand the trial to hundreds of users. (Amazon via AP)
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced several steps the federal government is taking to make banking more affordable, which in part follow up to pledges made in the spring budget. Freeland, right and Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne take part in a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Feds want more no-fee and low-cost banking in reform push

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada told to make banking more affordable for Canadians

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced several steps the federal government is taking to make banking more affordable, which in part follow up to pledges made in the spring budget. Freeland, right and Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne take part in a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Cannabis seedlings at an Aurora Cannabis facilty in 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Orchids, veggies and beer: Canada’s cannabis producers pivot

Tough market for core product finds firms finding complementary products to smooth the bumps

Cannabis seedlings at an Aurora Cannabis facilty in 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
FILE - In this April 17, 2019, file photo, online customer reviews for a product are displayed on a computer in New York. Some of the most used platforms for travel and online shopping said Tuesday, Oct. 17. 2023 they’re going to team up to battle fake reviews. Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot as well as travel companies Expedia Group, Booking.com and Tripadvisor announced they’re launching a group called the “Coalition for Trusted Reviews.” (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Online giants set to battle fake online shopping and travel reviews

Amazon, Tripadvisor and others joining forces to combat bogus consumer reactions

FILE - In this April 17, 2019, file photo, online customer reviews for a product are displayed on a computer in New York. Some of the most used platforms for travel and online shopping said Tuesday, Oct. 17. 2023 they’re going to team up to battle fake reviews. Amazon, reviews site Glassdoor and Trustpilot as well as travel companies Expedia Group, Booking.com and Tripadvisor announced they’re launching a group called the “Coalition for Trusted Reviews.” (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Northeast B.C. community newspapers publish last editions this week

After 8 decades or more, Dawson Creek Mirror and Alaska Highway News closing

Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Champagne says he wishes Canadian grocers would be more forthcoming with the public on their plans to stabilize prices, as questions linger on what action will be taken by these grocery giants in the face of high food inflation.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Grocery discounts, price freezes and price-matching info slow to come

Champagne says he wishes grocers were more ‘forthcoming’ on plans to stabilize prices

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Champagne says he wishes Canadian grocers would be more forthcoming with the public on their plans to stabilize prices, as questions linger on what action will be taken by these grocery giants in the face of high food inflation.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Sarah Neal, inventor of InstaCake Cards, from Lantzville, left, reacts as Dragons’ Den dragons Vincenzo Guzzo and Michelle Romano blow out InstaCake birthday card candles during filming in Toronto this past spring. The episode airs Thursday, Oct. 19. (CBC Dragons’ Den photo)

Vancouver Island woman looking to make a ‘cake card’ deal on Dragons’ Den

Lantzville’s Sarah Neal hopes investors will want to fund her cake and eat it too

Sarah Neal, inventor of InstaCake Cards, from Lantzville, left, reacts as Dragons’ Den dragons Vincenzo Guzzo and Michelle Romano blow out InstaCake birthday card candles during filming in Toronto this past spring. The episode airs Thursday, Oct. 19. (CBC Dragons’ Den photo)
The provincial government has tabled legislation to limit short-term term rentals Monday (Oct. 16), but not everywhere in the province. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province to limit short-term rentals in some B.C. communities, but not all

Legislation tabled Monday morning establishes new requirement but not everywhere

The provincial government has tabled legislation to limit short-term term rentals Monday (Oct. 16), but not everywhere in the province. (Black Press Media file photo)
Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo

Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience

As more children emerge from the pandemic grappling with mental health issues,…

Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. says it’s launching an exchangeable and reusable cup program across the country in a bid to reduce waste. An A&W Restaurant in Toronto is photographed on Monday, July 9, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

A&W launches reusable cup exhange to tackle fast food waste problem

B.C. fast food chain’s One Cup program asks you to bring your cup back and they will give you another

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. says it’s launching an exchangeable and reusable cup program across the country in a bid to reduce waste. An A&W Restaurant in Toronto is photographed on Monday, July 9, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Scenes from “Candy Crush Saga,” left, by Activision Blizzard, and “Crash Team Rumble,” from Activision Publishing, are shown in this photo, in New York, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Microsoft’s purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard won final approval Friday, Oct. 13, from Britain’s competition watchdog, reversing its earlier decision to block the $69 billion deal and removing a last obstacle for one of the largest tech transactions in history. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Anti-trust battle over, Microsoft closes mammoth $69B Activision deal

Xbox maker takes control of games maker in one of the biggest tech deals in history

Scenes from “Candy Crush Saga,” left, by Activision Blizzard, and “Crash Team Rumble,” from Activision Publishing, are shown in this photo, in New York, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Microsoft’s purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard won final approval Friday, Oct. 13, from Britain’s competition watchdog, reversing its earlier decision to block the $69 billion deal and removing a last obstacle for one of the largest tech transactions in history. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Highlands Winter Craft Fair, pictured in this file photo, returns again on Sunday, Nov. 18. The event takes over two locations – the Highlands Community Hall and the Caleb Pike Heritage Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Craft Fair Roundup: Find the perfect gift at a Greater Victoria event

Support local businesses while finding something for everyone on your list

The Highlands Winter Craft Fair, pictured in this file photo, returns again on Sunday, Nov. 18. The event takes over two locations – the Highlands Community Hall and the Caleb Pike Heritage Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5

Global fish farm giant Mowi suing Canada for Discovery Islands closures

Mowi’s claim alleges federal decision ‘wiped out 30 per cent’ of its business

Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5
The Google News homepage is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. A lobby group for Canada’s newspapers and magazines says it agrees with many of the issues raised by Google about a law that will force the tech giant to compensate those very publishers for use of their work.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian media supports Google in Online News Act debate

Industry lobby group agrees with tech giant that there should be a cap on how much it should pay

The Google News homepage is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. A lobby group for Canada’s newspapers and magazines says it agrees with many of the issues raised by Google about a law that will force the tech giant to compensate those very publishers for use of their work.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick