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COP30 on the Brink: Fossil Fuels Divide the World

Demonstrators attend the Fridays for Future protest '#JustTransitionNow' next to the Brandenburg Gate during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) which takes place in Belem, Brazil. As COP30 in Belém, Brazil, reaches its dramatic conclusion, the summit has become a battleground over the future of fossil fuels. A draft deal released by Brazil dropped all references to phasing out oil, gas, and coal , igniting fierce opposition from dozens of countries who insist that any agreement must include a clear roadmap for transition. The proposed final text, called Mutirão —a word rooted in indigenous traditions meaning “mutual aid”—has instead highlighted division rather than unity. Eighty-two countries, including members of the EU, have rejected the draft , arguing that without a fossil fuel phaseout, the deal fails to meet the ambition needed to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago urged delegates to find common ground, ...
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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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