Business

Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession. Falling Canadian dollar coins or loonies are pictured in North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, May 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canadian dollar’s outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts

Loonie recently rose to its highest level in more than two months against the U.S. dollar

The Uber app is seen on an iPhone near a driver’s vehicle after the company launched service in Vancouver, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Uber Technologies Inc. says it is bringing its shared rides offering back to Canada with a new name. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Uber relaunches ride share option in some Canadian cities under new name

UberX Share was previously known as UberPool and was paused when the pandemic hit

A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on May 13, 2019. A group of airlines are asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear their case after a lower court ruling largely upheld the validity of Canada's air passenger bill of rights. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Airlines ask Supreme Court to hear case on passenger bill of rights

Bill bolsters compensation for air travellers subjected to delayed flights and damaged luggage

Local MLA John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel-Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. cow fart reduction project seeks to clear the air with seaweed

Partners in an innovative methane reduction method want to set the record straight with neighbours

Local MLA John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel-Sooke News Mirror)
FILE - Elon Musk departs the Phillip Burton Federal Building and United States Court House in San Francisco on Jan. 24, 2023. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Sam Teller, Musk’s former chief of staff, testified that the billionaire believed he had a “handshake deal” to take Tesla private in 2018 shortly before he tweeted he had the financing for an aborted buyout that is still haunting him in a high-profile trial. (AP Photo/ Benjamin Fanjoy, File)

Elon Musk surprise appearance as Tesla tweet trial wraps up

A high-profile trial focused on a 2018 tweet about the financing for…

FILE - Elon Musk departs the Phillip Burton Federal Building and United States Court House in San Francisco on Jan. 24, 2023. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Sam Teller, Musk’s former chief of staff, testified that the billionaire believed he had a “handshake deal” to take Tesla private in 2018 shortly before he tweeted he had the financing for an aborted buyout that is still haunting him in a high-profile trial. (AP Photo/ Benjamin Fanjoy, File)
Delissio frozen pizzas are shown in the frozen food aisle at a grocery store in Toronto on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

Nestle Canada to wind down frozen meals and pizza business including Delissio

Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine also will no longer be sold at Canadian grocery stores

Delissio frozen pizzas are shown in the frozen food aisle at a grocery store in Toronto on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal
Community Futures North Okanagan has launched a new loans program to help newcomers to the North Okanagan settle into the community. The loan is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. (Contributed)

Loans help newcomers settle into North Okanagan

Community Futures program aimed at helping make life easier for those new to the region

Community Futures North Okanagan has launched a new loans program to help newcomers to the North Okanagan settle into the community. The loan is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. (Contributed)
Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson participates in a fireside discussion in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Wilkinson says legislation to lay out the government’s plan to protect jobs during the clean-energy transition is still months away. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Feds to lay out ‘sustainable jobs’ plan for energy transition ahead of legislation

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson promised to outline plans by early spring

Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson participates in a fireside discussion in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Wilkinson says legislation to lay out the government’s plan to protect jobs during the clean-energy transition is still months away. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Robyn Spink operates Salmon Arm’s Jungle Mania. She and spouse Scott Casano took ownership of the business late August 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

New owner of Salmon Arm indoor jungle gym embraces input from youth

Robyn Spink plans to bring more of the jungle into Jungle Mania

Robyn Spink operates Salmon Arm’s Jungle Mania. She and spouse Scott Casano took ownership of the business late August 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
The corporate logo of Helly Hansen is shown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Helly Hansen

Thousands of Helly Hansen sweaters recalled in Canada due to ‘flammability hazard’

Products do not or may not meet national standards, no incidents or injuries reported

The corporate logo of Helly Hansen is shown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Helly Hansen
Vernon’s Canadian Tire at the Village Green Centre is slated to re-open this month after being forced to close following a suspicious fire in a locked compound beside the store in November 2022. (Google Maps)

Vernon Canadian Tire ready to roll after fire

Business set to re-open this month following November fire

Vernon’s Canadian Tire at the Village Green Centre is slated to re-open this month after being forced to close following a suspicious fire in a locked compound beside the store in November 2022. (Google Maps)
The Lift Caddy is a solution to the problem of having to lift your heavy e-bike up onto a bike rack. (Bowen Assman/Black Press)

VIDEO: Vernon businessman has the perfect ‘lift’ for your e-bike

The Lift Caddy is an electric elevator that makes it safe and easy to load your bike on a rack

The Lift Caddy is a solution to the problem of having to lift your heavy e-bike up onto a bike rack. (Bowen Assman/Black Press)
People shop for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Canada’s inflation rate was up 8.1 per cent in June compared with a year ago, its largest yearly change since January 1983. Statistics Canada will release its November reading of gross domestic product this morning.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian economy grew slightly in November, expected to slow further

High interest rates already showing signs of slowing spending

People shop for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Canada’s inflation rate was up 8.1 per cent in June compared with a year ago, its largest yearly change since January 1983. Statistics Canada will release its November reading of gross domestic product this morning.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lumby’s Ramshorn Pub has been divided and is for lease following extensive renovations. (Royal LePage image)

Former Lumby pub open for business ideas

Ramshorn Motel upstairs, 2 lease spaces downstairs

Lumby’s Ramshorn Pub has been divided and is for lease following extensive renovations. (Royal LePage image)
BLK MKT by Avant won the 2022 Cannabis Brand of the Year Canada. (blk-mkt.ca)

High praise for Kelowna cannabis brand

BLK MKT won the 2022 Cannabis Brand of the Year by ADCANN

BLK MKT by Avant won the 2022 Cannabis Brand of the Year Canada. (blk-mkt.ca)
Dozens of dogs proudly paraded down Clement Ave in Kelowna for the first Unleashed Brewing Spooktacular Dog Parade Oct. 30, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)

Kelowna brewery barking up a storm to keep dogs in taproom

The petition had over 1,500 signatures in the first 24 hours

Dozens of dogs proudly paraded down Clement Ave in Kelowna for the first Unleashed Brewing Spooktacular Dog Parade Oct. 30, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)
Advocates and business owners in the beverage industry say Canada’s new guidelines for drinking alcohol could speed up changing consumer drinking habits as younger generations are drinking less and non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more popular. An alcoholic beverage is seen in a drinking establishment in Halifax on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

New alcohol recommendations could speed up changing drinking habits: businesses

Trends see customers looking to drink less and explore more non-alcoholic options

Advocates and business owners in the beverage industry say Canada’s new guidelines for drinking alcohol could speed up changing consumer drinking habits as younger generations are drinking less and non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more popular. An alcoholic beverage is seen in a drinking establishment in Halifax on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Small business owners can be nominated for a Small Business BC award until March 10, 2023. (Contributed)

The search is on for best small businesses in Thompson Okanagan

Small Business BC Awards accepting nominations until March 10

Small business owners can be nominated for a Small Business BC award until March 10, 2023. (Contributed)
Dairy cows are seen at a farm, Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine, Que. A pair of senior U.S. senators are urging the Biden administration to get tough with Canada for “flouting” obligations to its North American trade partners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

U.S. senators call for trade crackdown on Canada over dairy quotas, digital policies

Pair say America’s continental trading partners playing fast and loose with new rules

Dairy cows are seen at a farm, Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine, Que. A pair of senior U.S. senators are urging the Biden administration to get tough with Canada for “flouting” obligations to its North American trade partners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Shopping carts are lined up at The Home Depot store on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Cornelius, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Home Depot gave personal data to Meta without valid customer consent: watchdog

Canada’s privacy watchdog says Home Depot stopped sharing customer information with Meta last October

Shopping carts are lined up at The Home Depot store on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Cornelius, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)