Announcements

Canada Ranks #2 in Best Countries in the World


Not only are we the second largest country by land mass, but according to a report put together by U.S. News and the University of Pennsylvania, we are ranked as the second best country overall.

In a review of 80 different countries with more than 21,000 people surveyed from 36 different regions, Canada was calculated to be the second best, with an overall ranking of 9.7, followed shortly behind the number one spot, which was secured by Switzerland for the second year in a row with a perfect 10.0 score.

The U.S., not surprisingly, has fallen a great lengths. In 2016, they ranked in at number four, but this year they have fallen to seventh place. Most people in the study cited the recent election of Donald Trump and the 2016 election as influencing their overall ranking of the country, citing the “toxic tones” as influencing them to lose respect for the typically perceived powerhouse.

Canada, however, ranked 9.6 for citizenship, 10.0 for quality of life and 8.5 for being considered to be open for business.

The other top ranking countries for the report included:

  • United Kingdom (#3)
  • Germany (#4)
  • Japan (#5)
  • Sweden (#6)
  • Australia (#8)
  • France (#9)
  • and Norway (#10)

You can read the full report on Canada’s second place ranking here.


Study Finds Maple Syrup Extract to Help Cut Antibiotics Use, Naturally


The golden nectar that you pour on your morning pancakes has just found another possible function, and no, this one is not some crazy food fusion that you’ll be reading about in food blogs for the next six months; this function is one that could actually help with your health, more specifically to decrease your antibiotic use.

Researchers from McGill University presented their findings at the American Chemical Society this past weekend. The lead researcher, Nathalie Tufenkji, said that she was inspired to test the efficacy of maple syrup in treating infections because of the tradition within aboriginal people in Canada having used it for some time.

In the initial tests, the researchers extracted the maple syrup’s phenolic compounds by separating it from the water and sugar in the compound. Next, the exposed the phenolic compound to well known bacteria in petri dishes. Initially, their results were not great.

The maple syrup, by itself, proved not to do much in the way of fighting against bacteria. But, when they combined the maple syrup extract with antibiotics and exposed them to known bacteria in a petri dish, the results were significant.

“What we found is that when we added the antibiotics with maple syrup-extracted phenolic compounds, we actually needed a lot less antibiotic to kill the bacteria. We could reduce the dose of antibiotic by up to 90 per cent,” said Nathalie Tufenkji in a report to CTV.

Researchers say that a possible reason for the maple syrup having a catalytic effect on the antibiotics efficacy is that the syrup could be making the bacteria cells more permeable, by breaking down the walls of the cells so that the antibiotics can begin doing their work faster and with less effort.

Another possible theory they floated was the syrup could be turning off the “pump” on the bacteria, which works to remove the antibiotics from the bacteria’s walls.

Whatever the reason, researchers are excited that they have found a natural and local (and delicious I might add!) solution to using less antibiotics to fight bacteria and disease causing bacteria.

Click here to read the original report from CTV.


Porter Airlines Canada Flights/Tickets Sale + Save up to Extra 25% Off with Promo Code!


Porter Airlines Canada has a new sale available now today! The Porter sale includes save on a variety of flight tickets, plus up to 25% extra when you use the promo code 1M2C2X at checkout. Book by 11:59 pm ET, Today, Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Travel by July 31, 2017. Up to 21 day advance purchase required. Some conditions may apply.

Click here to browse tickets at Porter Airlines Canada.


Panera Bread Looks to Starbucks Coffee As Potential Buyer


Two of your favourite brands, Starbucks Coffee Company and Panera Bread Company, are contemplating tying the knot in a business merger that would see the latter being bought out by the former, said some people who are familiar with the two companies in a report to Bloomberg.

Panera Bread is apparently shopping around for a buyer and among the top contenders is the big coffeehouse, Starbucks, in addition to Domino’s Pizza and JAB Holding Co. (the company responsible for such iconic brands like Krispy Kreme and Caribou Coffee).

Both Panera Bread and all of the companies reportedly vying for their attention have declined to comment on the merger, citing that it is official policy to not comment on “rumours or speculation”.

Across the U.S. and Canada, there are approximately 2,000 Panera Bread cafes.

Click here to read the original report from Bloomberg.


Canadian Shopping News: Air Miles Cash Redeemable In Stores Again Tomorrow


Good news for those who want to redeem those Air Miles before yet another hiccup in the system.  Starting tomorrow, you will be able to redeem Air Miles Cash in stores again, but with a catch.  You are now limited to $50 per day, so no more redeeming for big ticket items if you save up your points.  Plus, they no longer allow redemptions for gift cards.  So if you are like me and redeem for a gift card to spend at lower cost stores, you may have to rethink your shopping plans.

Air Miles has also added a little more security to the cards but you still do not need a PIN to redeem.

  • Every AIR MILES Cash transaction prompts an email to inform you of the activity and also provides instructions on what to do if you were not the one who used Cash Miles in-store
  • You must log in with your PIN to view your balance and not just transactions
  • A new easy card lock page that allows you to earn but not redeem can be found at airmiles.ca/cashlock

Full details on the changes can be found here.


Apple iPhone X or Apple iPhone 8 Expected in September 2017: Everything We Know & Predicted Price in Canada


It may be seem like the conveniences of our smart phones have always been in our lives, but 2017 will actually mark the 10th anniversary of the release of the first iPhone. Apple has been planning this anniversary for some years, and to celebrate this landmark occasion they will be releasing what some have speculated as a wholly new iPhone X (or iPhone 8) this September.

There’s been a number of rumours floating around the web about what features will be added, and what designs will be removed from this new iPhone, but what most people can agree on is that the new smart phone is going to be a chunk of change pricier than previous models. With the iPhone 7 Plus 256GB version already costing just under $1,000USD (or $1,309 CAD), it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the iPhone X to cost well over that. Particularly when you consider that one of the rumours that seems to be more or less confirmed by Apple is that they intend to have the LCD screen replaced with an OLED display – which is nearly double the price of the latter. We expect the price to be around $1,500 CAD based on current rumours. An OLED display eliminates the need for the backlighting that’s used in traditional LCDs, which would allow Apple to cut down on the thickness and weight of the display used in the device. OLED displays can also be flexible, but it sounds like Apple is planning to use a flat 2.5D display in the iPhone X/8.

Apple has yet to confirm any of these rumours, but some tech experts who have an ear of the designers in the Asia supply chain have been able to speculate about what we can expect for the company’s newest model.

Design

(more…)


Toys R Us Canada Autism Awareness Day Sensory Friendly Shopping Hour + FREE Magformers Rainbow 14 Piece set, Today


Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day this year at Toys”R”Us. Today, Sunday April 2, 2017, locations will open one hour early for families to enjoy our Sensory Friendly Shopping Hour

  • In-store product demos and activities
  • No in-store music or announcements
  • Dimmed lighting
  • Designated quiet areas

Plus, the first 48 children to join the event will receive a FREE Magformers Rainbow 14 piece set.

Click here to get the complete store listings and enjoy the Sensory Friendly Shopping Hour on today, Sunday April 2, 2017, one hour prior to regular store hours.

Click here to view Toys”R”Us weekly flyers.


RECALL: Pfizer Canada Recalls EpiPen (Epinephrine) Auto-Injector


Pfizer Canada Inc., the Canadian distributor of EpiPen® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector, announced a voluntary recall in consultation with Health Canada of one lot of EpiPen 0.3 mg (epinephrine) and one lot of EpiPen Jr 0.15 mg (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors distributed in Canada.

In Canada, the recall impacts one lot (5GU763) of the 0.3 mg strength of EpiPen Auto-Injector expiring in May 2017 and one lot (5GR765) of the 0.15 mg strength of EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector expiring in March 2017.

This voluntary recall is being conducted as a result of the receipt of two previously disclosed reports outside of Canada of failure to activate the device due to a potential defect in a supplier component. The potential defect could make the device difficult to activate in an emergency (failure to activate or increased force needed to activate) and have significant health consequences for a patient experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The incidence of the defect is extremely rare and testing and analysis across the potentially impacted lots has not identified any units with a defect. However, the recall is being conducted in Canada out of an abundance of caution.

Pfizer Canada is committed to replacing recalled devices at no cost. Patients, healthcare professionals, wholesalers and pharmacists are being notified. Information is available on Pfizer.ca, Pfizer Canada Facebook page or EpiPen Canada Facebook page. Patients should keep their existing product until their replacement product can be secured.
Patients will receive an EpiPen Auto-Injector at their pharmacy as a replacement based on product availability. Pfizer are expecting additional stock to become available to meet demand in the coming weeks.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Pfizer Medical Information at 1-800-463-6001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.

Click here for more information on how to exchange your EpiPen.

Click here for more information on this recall.


Cineplex Canada Family Favourites Movies Promotions: Looney Tunes Shorts For $2.99/Ticket, Today, Saturday, April 1 at 11AM!


Cineplex Canada Family Favourites

Cineplex Canada has released their new schedule. The Cineplex Canada Family Favourites Movies include:

  • Today, Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11am the film Looney Tunes Shorts. Comedy, Animation, Musical, Classic, is the Family Favourites for $2.99 (1h 17m).

Here’s the upcoming movie every Saturday morning at 11am for Cineplex Family Favourites at $2.99 each:

April 2017:

  • Saturday, April 8, 2017: The Land Before Time
  • Saturday, April 15, 2017: Hop
  • Saturday, April 22, 2017: E.T Extra-Terrestrial
  • Saturday, April 29, 2017: Sing

May 2017:

  • Saturday, May 6, 2017: The Lego Movie
  • Saturday, May 13, 2017: Heidi
  • Saturday, May 20, 2017: Storks
  • Saturday, May 27, 2017: Trolls

June 2017:

  • Saturday, June 3, 2017: Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
  • Saturday, June 10, 2017: A Dog’s Purpose
  • Saturday, June 17, 2017: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
  • Saturday, June 24, 2017: The Muppet Movie

Click here to see a list of Cineplex participates in the Family Favourites event.

Click here to get tickets from Cineplex online


Canada to Reverse Weed Legalization Decision


The controversial ‘weed legalization’ announcement that came out earlier this week from the Trudeau government is being swept off the table for consideration before it has even officially been put forward. The strong opposition that has been vocalized in the few days since the proposed bill was leaked has forced Liberal members to retreat with their proverbial tails – and legalized joints – between their legs.

On Monday, a senior official from the Liberal party confirmed to CBC that the government intended to introduce a piece of legislation on April 10th – coincidentally, ten days before the national pot holiday (4/20) – that would see federal legalization of the green buds.

But shortly after this announcement was made, the Canadian public took to arming themselves against the government’s irrational proposal.

A Facebook group by the name of, “Gram of Green = A Pound of Flesh” was quickly formed. It was made up of a group of concerned parents and public health officials who all shared the same values that they believe most Canadians can identify with; that is, curbing the number of obese Canadians through the effects of munchies.

You may wonder how the two coincide, that is marijuana use and Canada’s obesity problem – we currently rank number 25 for the most obese countries in the world – but when you look at the facts, it’s actually painfully clear.

Marijuana, a drug most commonly consumed by young people between the ages of 18-24, is a well-known stimulant for appetite. And what parents and doctors, both rightfully so, fear is that by legalizing marijuana we will in effect encourage careless consumption; or what is better known as ‘the munchies’.

Just ask any corner store or 7-11 about the sheer number of hazy eyed college students that come wandering into their shops at all hours of the night, grabbing everything and anything they can reach off the fluorescent-lit shelves.

“I saw one kid come in grab a hot dog, ice cream, Cheetos, and a pineapple,” said one store clerk, who asked to remain anonymous for the security of his business. “I mean c’mon. That’s not a balanced meal.”

The ‘Pound of Flesh’ advocacy group raises the valid concern that young people are already at risk of becoming overweight with the far too easily available high-fat, high-sugar processed foodstuffs in the stores.

“By throwing weed into the mix, you might as well just hook these kids up to a sugar and salt valve,” posted one of the parents in the group.

“Weed and food. The only combination more lethal that I can think of is alcohol and pain killers,” said another concerned parent. In the past five days the group has collected more than 10,000 signatures asking that the bill not even be brought into parliament.

The Liberal party, obviously quite embarrassed about this obvious oversight, has since retracted their move to legalize the green plant.

The political party that has also been contending to be considered the ‘pro-pot’ party, the NDP, was also seen to quickly reverse their opinion as the onslaught of negative feedback was voiced across the country from public health officials to public educators.

“We understand the grave nature of the munchies, and in no way want to condone said lifestyle choices,” reported one senior official from the NDP party.


Dollarama Canada to Accept Credit Cards and Open More Stores!


Dollarama Inc. Canada has announced that they will begin accepting major credit cards at its stores next quarter. A couple of years ago, Dollarama started taking the first steps towards accepting credit cards by testing it out in several locations across the country.

Furthermore, Dollarama Inc. is going to get even bigger, with a new plan to operate as many as 1,700 locations across the country, up from an earlier growth ceiling of 1,400. Dollarama, Canada’s biggest dollar store chain, will open the new stores over the next eight to 10 years.

Click here for more information on this Dollarama news.


Crayola is Retiring Dandelion Yellow Crayon!


It’s National Crayon Day! Crayola has announced that it is retiring their iconic crayon, Dandelion! The company announced that it would be removing the gold-tinged dandelion stick from its boxes to make way for a new one. It’s only the third time in Crayola’s history that it has retired one or more of its colours, and the first time it’s taking one out of its box of 24.

Fans of dandelion, which was introduced in 1990, have gone on to social media to express their unhappiness regarding the decision. Crayola aren’t saying exactly what is replacing the dandelion colour but they say it’ll be “in the blue family”. There’ll be more details released in May and fans will get to name it over the summer! Goodbye Dandelion!

Click here for more information.


Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore & Zehrs Flyers Deals: No Tax, Saturday, April 1


Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore & Zehrs have No Tax on  Saturday, April 1, 2017 on Home, electronics, toys, baby, health & beauty department, Floral and Joe Fresh Apparel.

Click here to view their flyers.


Calculate How Much Canadian Tax Credits You’re Eligible For from CRA for FREE (Sherpa.tax)


Tax season is like going to the dentist; you can put it off as long as you like, but the longer you put it off, the worse your tooth ache (or tax induced headache) will become. That’s why little tools, like Sherpa.tax, are so wonderful, as it helps ease some of that irrational anxiety surrounding your taxes.

The tool was created by Canadian entrepreneur, Omeed Asadi, and it was designed to be completely anonymous (you don’t enter any form of personal information throughout the entire 10 minute questionnaire). The tool calculates a rough estimate of the kind of tax credits you could be eligible for, though the site recommends that you still double check with the CRA website.

What I liked about this tool is that it allows you to easily navigate the different tax credits, dodging all the unfriendly tax jargon terms, but you still get a glimpse of what kinds of credits you could be eligible for.

For Ontario residents, there is a similar tax navigating tool that the government has created for filing your provincial taxes, but the Sherpa.tax one would also be a nice complement to this tool since it includes federal claims you could make too.

Click here to check your tax credit for 2016 with Sherpa.tax.


Massive $1M Canadian Gold Coin Stolen in Berlin


Thieves in Berlin were reported to rise before the dawn on Monday morning and break into the Bode Museum to steal one of Canada’s most expensive coins; the ‘Big Maple Leaf’, as it is known colloquially, measures 3cm thick and weighs 100kg and though the face value of the coin is $1 million, by weight alone it could be worth up to $4.5 million US.

The coin was on lease to the Bode Museum in the German capital by an unknown owner, as the Royal Canadian Mint only commissioned the coin but they do not own it. After creating the original $1 million coin (which is in storage in Ottawa) the Mint was then commissioned by private individuals to make five more. This coin in the Bode Museum was one of those five.

As reported by the CBC, the thieves had apparently broken in through a window and retrieved the coin from the cabinet it was kept in, leaving the scene before the police had even arrived.

The coin holds a Guinness Book of Records for its purity, which is 99.999/1000 gold.


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