Ian Bickis

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Ian Bickis.

BMO defends climate efforts as investors push for more disclosure

BMO defends climate efforts as investors push for more disclosure

TORONTO -- The head of BMO defended the bank's climate efforts as it faced shareholder resolutions at its annual general meeting that called for more clarity on its plans.

The climate indicator banks are facing rising pressure to report

The climate indicator banks are facing rising pressure to report

TORONTO -- When Canada's big banks left the Net Zero Banking Alliance earlier this year, they assured they could push on reducing emissions without the help of the international climate coalition launched in 2021 by Mark Carney, now Canada's prime minister.

Canada can legally challenge tariffs, but will Trump fall in line with the ruling?

Canada can legally challenge tariffs, but will Trump fall in line with the ruling?

If U.S. President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian goods as he's repeatedly threated to do, experts say Canada has a strong case to challenge it under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement.

Trump's metal tariff threats shake up the Canadian can industry

Trump's metal tariff threats shake up the Canadian can industry

TORONTO -- U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose sweeping metals tariffs is creating worry and opportunity in can manufacturing and packaging, an industry that relies heavily on the raw materials.

Bank CEO worries shift to political uncertainty as mortgage risks ease

Bank CEO worries shift to political uncertainty as mortgage risks ease

TORONTO -- The heads of Canada's biggest banks are finally seeing risks around mortgage renewals easing, only for worries about tariffs and political uncertainty to take their place.

Business groups call for unity as Trudeau announcement creates uncertainty

Business groups call for unity as Trudeau announcement creates uncertainty

TORONTO -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to step down has business experts warning about the heightened uncertainty it has created and the need for a unified front to face the challenges ahead.

How public funds are being used to lure private dollars in race for climate financing

How public funds are being used to lure private dollars in race for climate financing

TORONTO -- The trillion-dollar question these days is where the huge sums of money needed to address climate change are going to come from, especially for developing countries.

What European housing models could do for Canada's affordability problems

What European housing models could do for Canada's affordability problems

TORONTO -- Housing experts who have long promoted moving new home construction from suburbs to urban centres are calling for a similar approach to policy, saying several ideas currently percolating on the fringes of society in Canada have proven successful elsewhere and deserve a more central place in the national conversation.

StatCan latest wealth survey shows stark disparity between homeowners, renters

StatCan latest wealth survey shows stark disparity between homeowners, renters

TORONTO -- Statistics Canada's latest financial security survey shows a stark disparity between the wealth of homeowners and renters, even as it fails to capture the true scale what's owned by Canada's richest families.

Feds moving ahead with sustainable investing guidelines, but details still scarce

Feds moving ahead with sustainable investing guidelines, but details still scarce

TORONTO -- Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Wednesday that the federal government is moving ahead with guidelines around sustainable investing and corporate climate disclosures, but details on the plans are scarce.

Feds move ahead with sustainable investing guidelines, but details still scarce

Feds move ahead with sustainable investing guidelines, but details still scarce

TORONTO -- Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government is moving ahead with guidelines around sustainable investing and corporate climate disclosures, but details on the plans are scarce.

Potential China EV tariffs welcomed by GM Canada as BYD looks to enter market

Potential China EV tariffs welcomed by GM Canada as BYD looks to enter market

The potential of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports is being welcomed by the Canadian head of General Motors as major producer BYD looks to enter the market.

How modular housing could speed up construction of much-needed homes

How modular housing could speed up construction of much-needed homes

For a country with such a severe shortage of housing, the way Canada builds homes hasn't changed that much since the country was founded.

Payouts for the many over the few: employee ownership trusts take shape in Canada

Payouts for the many over the few: employee ownership trusts take shape in Canada

Three times a year, the 600-or-so employees of Friesens Corp. gather in front of the publishing house to accept envelopes, each one holding a cheque for the workers' share of company profits.

Canada's missing navigation tool in the push to lower emissions

Canada's missing navigation tool in the push to lower emissions

It would be possible to get around a city if there were no agreed-upon street names, but it would take longer, people would get lost and international travellers might just give the place a pass.

Bank CEOs push back on MP calls to reduce oil and gas funding

Bank CEOs push back on MP calls to reduce oil and gas funding

The CEOs of Canada's five biggest banks stuck to the message that they're committed to help in the energy transition as they were questioned by a parliamentary committee Thursday about their impacts on climate change.

More groundwork needed to maintain Canada-U.S. relations, summit hears

More groundwork needed to maintain Canada-U.S. relations, summit hears

TORONTO -- More needs to be done to maintain North American relations in an increasingly competitive and volatile world, attendees at the U.S.-Canada Summit in Toronto heard on Tuesday.

No room for complacency in Canada-U.S. trade relations: BMO chief executive

No room for complacency in Canada-U.S. trade relations: BMO chief executive

TORONTO -- The head of BMO says there's no room for complacency in Canada-U.S. trade relations as the bank co-hosts a conference focused on key issues faced by both countries.