Have an upcoming Mexico trip? Here's what you should know as warnings remain in place
March break is around the corner and safety concerns continue to swirl for tourists planning a sunny getaway in Mexico.
Sammy Hudes
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 Sammy Hudes.
Mexico flight cancellations the latest hurdle for Canadian travel this season
Cancelled flights in and out of Mexico this week have added to what travel agents say was already a rocky season for the sector, as uncertainty continues to linger leading up to March break.
Gifts, lotto winnings, bursaries: How to know when your money might not be taxable
It could have been a lucky night at the blackjack table that netted you a surprise stack of cash last year.
GST credit hike a 'meaningful' affordability measure for low-income people: economist
Proposed changes to the GST credit announced Monday by Prime Minister Mark Carney should provide some relief for lower-income Canadians, but experts caution it may not account for future surges in the cost of living. Carney unveiled a 25 per cent hike to the GST credit in a temporary move set to last for five years, billed as a measure...
GST credit hike a 'meaningful' affordability measure for low-income people: economist
Proposed changes to the GST credit announced Monday by Prime Minister Mark Carney should provide some relief for lower-income Canadians, but experts caution it may not account for future surges in the cost of living.
GST credit hike won't solve affordability challenges alone: expert
Proposed changes to the GST credit announced Monday by Prime Minister Mark Carney should provide some relief for lower-income Canadians, but some experts question how meaningful those savings will be.
Rental market swings back in tenants' favour with lower prices and move-in incentives
The "new year's special" advertising a two-bedroom unit at a midtown Toronto highrise might be what draws you in when searching for your next home -- an offer for up to three months of free rent, plus a $500 "move-in bonus."
Rent growth slowed in 2025 as national vacancy rate continued to rise: CMHC
Canada's housing agency says the pace of rent growth ticked lower this year as vacancies continued rising, while increased rental supply also contributed to softer market conditions.
Budget's housing promises not enough to solve affordability, supply issues: advocates
Housing advocates are lamenting "missed opportunities" in last week's federal budget, saying more effort will be needed to accelerate home construction and bring prices down. The Liberal government's 2025 budget tabled Nov. 4 -- its first under Prime Minister Mark Carney -- pledged to spend $25 billion on housing over the next five years. The budget noted Canada's "steep housing...
Budget's housing promises not enough to solve affordability, supply issues: advocates
Housing advocates are lamenting "missed opportunities" in last week's federal budget, saying more effort will be needed to accelerate home construction and bring prices down.
Federal budget offers measures to cut telecom costs, citing lack of competition
OTTAWA -- The federal government says it plans to take measures aimed at increasing competition in Canada's telecommunications sector and lowering consumers' cellphone and internet costs.
Federal budget forecasts $78B deficit as Liberals shift spending to capital projects
OTTAWA -- This year's federal budget contains a deficit nearly twice the size forecast by the Liberals a year ago, as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government prioritizes capital project spending over programs and services.
CRTC creates new requirements for telecom providers experiencing major outages
Canada's telecommunications regulator is mandating service providers to notify it and other government authorities within two hours when they experience a major network outage.
Crown Royal bottling plant 'caught in the crosshairs' of parent company's struggles
The looming closure of an Ontario plant that bottles Crown Royal sparked political blowback this week, but a supply chain expert says the company behind the move faced pressing decisions on how to cut costs amid ongoing financial challenges. Spirits maker Diageo found itself in Doug Ford's crosshairs on Tuesday when the Ontario premier capped an unrelated press conference by...
Crown Royal bottling plant 'caught in the crosshairs' of parent company's struggles
The looming closure of an Ontario plant that bottles Crown Royal sparked political blowback this week, but a supply chain expert says the company behind the move faced pressing decisions on how to cut costs amid ongoing financial challenges.
After Air Canada strike, Ottawa may need to change its intervention strategy: experts
Flight attendants' defiance in the face of federal intervention meant to halt a recent strike at Air Canada could set a new precedent for work stoppages, some labour movement-watchers say. The workers' move disrupted a growing pattern that has been eroding the right to strike in Canada, said Barry Eidlin, an associate professor of sociology at McGill University, referring to...
After Air Canada strike, Ottawa may need to change its intervention strategy: experts
Flight attendants' defiance in the face of federal intervention meant to halt a recent strike at Air Canada could set a new precedent for work stoppages, some labour movement-watchers say.
Air Canada to cover certain transportation expenses for some customers
Air Canada says it is adopting a policy to cover "certain transportation expenses" incurred by customers while getting to their destinations during the recent work stoppage.
Air Canada strike ends after tentative deal reached with flight attendants' union
Toronto -- Air Canada says it plans to operate more than half of its scheduled flights Tuesday after reaching a tentative deal with the union representing its flight attendants to end a strike that began Saturday morning.
Ottawa imposes binding arbitration, forcing Air Canada flight attendants back to work
Passengers around the world are feeling the effects after the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants with Air Canada announced its members were walking off the job after it was unable to reach an eleventh-hour deal with the airline.
Ottawa imposes binding arbitration, forcing Air Canada flight attendants back to work
Less than 12 hours after it began, the federal government ordered Air Canada and its flight attendants into binding arbitration on Saturday, putting an abrupt end to the strike and lockout situation that left airplanes grounded and thousands of Canadians struggling to find alternate ways home. The union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants with Air Canada announced its members...
Federal intervention in potential Air Canada strike would be 'troubling': labour prof
Labour experts say if Ottawa meets Air Canada's call for government intervention in a contract dispute with its flight attendants' union, it could further erode collective bargaining rights in future negotiations.
Bell's fibre footprint to 'plateau' after Ottawa sticks with CRTC's wholesale policy
The chief executive of BCE Inc. says the company expects its Canadian fibre footprint to "plateau" rather than expand after the federal government announced it wouldn't interfere with a contentious regulatory decision surrounding wholesale access to internet services.
Bell's fibre footprint to 'plateau' after Ottawa sticks with CRTC's wholesale policy
The chief executive of BCE Inc. says the company expects its Canadian fibre footprint to "plateau" rather than expand after the federal government announced it wouldn't interfere with a contentious regulatory decision surrounding wholesale access to internet services.
Ottawa upholds CRTC's wholesale internet rules, says they will foster competition
Ottawa says it will uphold a ruling by Canada's telecommunications regulator allowing the country's largest internet companies to provide service to customers using fibre networks built by their rivals -- as long as they do so outside their core regions.
Cenovus encouraged by talks with Carney government but says regulatory hurdles remain
Cenovus Energy Inc. says it is "cautiously optimistic" about the federal government's commitment to building new projects that aim to spearhead economic growth, but the company hopes to see Ottawa clear obstacles that lie in the way for the energy sector.
Free trade carveouts key in potential deal between U.S. and Canada: business groups
Business leaders and academics say they hope to see Canada and the U.S. maintain free trade protections for most goods once an agreement is reached, even if the negotiations can't stave off certain sectoral tariffs. It's unclear if the two countries will stick to the Aug. 1 deadline for wrapping up talks. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday negotiations were...
Free trade carveouts key in potential deal between U.S. and Canada: business groups
Business leaders and academics say they hope to see Canada and the U.S. maintain free trade protections for most goods once an agreement is reached, even if the negotiations can't stave off certain sectoral tariffs.
Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers would add 30K annual housing starts: CMHC
A new analysis by the national housing agency estimates Canada could add 30,000 more housing starts annually by eliminating interprovincial trade barriers.
CFIB says internal trade barriers coming down, but patchwork could create challenges
TORONTO -- A new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says progress has been made on removing trade barriers within Canada, but it adds that the patchwork of approaches could create new issues.
Canada 'not out of the woods' yet as appeals court pauses ruling on Trump's tariffs
While Ottawa welcomed a U.S. federal court ruling that would block President Donald Trump's fentanyl-related tariffs against Canada, experts say local businesses are "not out of the woods" yet -- especially as an appeals court paused that decision Thursday.
Canada 'not out of the woods' yet as appeals court pauses ruling on Trump's tariffs
While Ottawa is welcoming a U.S. federal court decision that would block President Donald Trump's fentanyl-related tariffs against Canada, experts say local businesses are "not out of the woods" yet.
Canada 'not out of the woods' yet as appeals court pauses ruling on Trump's tariffs
While Ottawa welcomed a U.S. federal court ruling that would block President Donald Trump's fentanyl-related tariffs against Canada, experts say local businesses are "not out of the woods" yet -- especially as an appeals court paused that decision Thursday. The ruling by the lower court on Wednesday would halt the sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs Trump imposed on around 90 countries...
Key portfolios for business community to watch as Carney's cabinet sworn in
Canada's business community will be monitoring files across various portfolios after Tuesday's swearing-in of Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet.
Minority Parliament could prompt higher deficits amid party compromises: economists
TORONTO -- As the Liberal Party appears poised to form a minority government following Monday's election, economists say the focus now shifts toward Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending promises amid the trade war with the United States.
Have a side hustle? Here's what you need to know as tax filing deadlines draw near
You could be selling your art on Etsy or delivering late-night orders for Uber Eats.
Key dates to watch this week for Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods
Uncertainty still looms for Canada in what's set to be a monumental week for U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plan. With multiple categories of American import taxes set to take effect, some Canadian industries are waiting to find out if and how they might be affected.
Rogers navigating federal immigration policies, tariff threat as profits rise
TORONTO -- The chief executive of Rogers Communications Inc. says the company plans to "remain disciplined" this year amid a competitive telecom market, but could face challenges from Canada's reduced immigration targets and the tariff threat from the U.S.
Economists expecting sixth straight -- but more modest -- rate cut from Bank of Canada
TORONTO -- Economic forecasts suggest the Bank of Canada will likely lower its key policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday in light of recent inflation and jobs data, bringing it down to three per cent.
RDSPs a 'no-brainer' savings tool for people with disabilities, but awareness lacking
After recently graduating from college with an advanced diploma in graphic design, Hannah Remillard knows launching her career will likely come with personal challenges.
'Now's the time': As Canada ramps up housing, advocates urge more accessible builds
Five-year-old Beau starts each day being carried by one of his parents to the family's living room, where his wheelchair awaits in their Beamsville, Ont., home.
Revised airline compensation rules will only preserve status quo: consumer advocate
Consumer advocates say proposed changes to Canada's passenger rights charter will perpetuate loopholes that allow airlines to forego compensating travellers whose flights are disrupted.
Rental supply gains help cool pace of rent growth in 2024: CMHC
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the pace of rent growth cooled significantly this year amid Canada's largest gain of purpose-built rental supply in more than three decades.
Canadian business leaders say Freeland's resignation adds uncertainty to trade talks
Some business leaders worry the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland from the federal cabinet leaves Canada without a "quarterback" at a critical moment for the country's economy and trade relationships. Freeland's resignation letter, which she posted to social media Monday, warned Canada faces a grave challenge with the incoming Trump administration in the U.S. and its threat of tariffs...
Canadian business leaders say Freeland's resignation adds uncertainty to trade talks
Some business leaders worry the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland from the federal cabinet leaves Canada without a "quarterback" at a critical moment for the country's economy and trade relationships.
Telus asks court to quash cabinet order for review of wholesale fibre internet rules
Telus Corp. is challenging a federal order for a CRTC review on whether Canada's Big 3 telecom providers should be able to access each other's wholesale fibre internet networks.
Trump's victory sparks concerns over ripple effect on Canadian economy
As Canadians wake up to news that Donald Trump will return to the White House, the president-elect's protectionist stance is casting a spotlight on what effect his second term will have on Canada-U.S. economic ties.
Trump's victory sparks concerns over ripple effect on Canadian economy
As Canadians wake up to news that Donald Trump will return to the White House, the president-elect's protectionist stance is casting a spotlight on what effect his second term will have on Canada-U.S. economic ties.
Ready for liftoff: Why Canada's telecom sector sees opportunity in satellite internet
TORONTO -- When a severe tropical cyclone hit New Zealand in February 2023, it left thousands on the country's North Island without internet or cellphone service for nearly a week, as major roads carrying vital fibre optic cables were washed out.
Mortgage rule changes will help spark demand, but supply challenges persist: experts
TORONTO -- Experts say Ottawa's changes to mortgage rules could help spur demand among potential homebuyers, but supply challenges are likely to persist in Canada's real estate sector despite lofty goals to build new housing.
Confused about all the deductions on your paycheque? Here's what they mean
You're a few weeks into your new job and payday has arrived.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce names Candace Laing new president and CEO
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has named Candace Laing its new president and CEO, effective Sept. 1.
'Like stepping off the edge of a cliff': When to take retirement benefits?
Finding themselves "at the edge of retirement," Jen Gibson and her wife Christy Ganshorn found it hard to fathom dipping into their savings already.