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Tyler Meredith explains how government budgets get made

 On this week’s episode of Free Lunch by The Peak, we sat down with Tyler Meredith to talk about how the federal government puts its budgets together. Before becoming a partner at Meredith Boessenkool Policy Advisors, Tyler was one of the driving forces behind no fewer than six federal budgets and served as the top economic advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and two finance ministers. 

What to do this weekend

Canadian writers are ready to strike

Canadian screenwriters are making moves towards a possible strike. (But don’t worry, it won’t impact your favourite Canadian content: this newsletter.)

Driving the news: For the first time in its 33-year history, the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) has voted to authorize a strike if it can’t reach a deal with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) that secures things like better pay and protections against AI.

Venice looks to unclog its canals from day trippers

As travel season shifts into high gear, Venice is asking visitors to cough up some extra cash before hopping on any gondolas.

What happened: Venice’s pilot for the first-of-its-kind ticketing system for day trippers began this week. For 29 high-traffic days this year, tourists visiting but not staying overnight must buy a €5 ticket to enter

Big Tobacco doesn’t want any smoke… literally

The market for cigarettes might be going up in smoke, but Big Tobacco has new products ready to take their place.

Driving the news: Tobacco giants Philip Morris and Altria both posted revenues last quarter that blew past analyst estimates thanks to booming demand for smoke-free cigarette alternatives like nicotine pouches and heated tobacco sticks. 

Canada’s got a GDP per capita problem

Even with AI tools, highly caffeinated beverages, and a roster of podcasts eager to tell us all how to work “smarter,” Canadians are in a bit of a productivity slump. 

Driving the news: Canada’s economic output per person has fallen below its long-term trend by 7% — a loss of around $4,200 per person — according to a new report by Statistics Canada.

Honda is the latest entrant into Canada’s EV arena

Like a rapper officially releasing a leaked diss track, Honda has dropped a long-awaited project that’s making waves throughout the industry. 

What happened: Honda officially announced its $15 billion electric vehicle investment plan in Ontario, with designs to build four — count ’em, four — new EV plants in the province. The federal government touted the move as the “largest auto investment in Canada’s history.”

Salmon farming business is in its flop era

Canada’s salmon farming industry is gasping like a fish out of water right now, and consumers looking for some homegrown salmon could soon pay the price.

Driving the news: Last year, production of farm-raised salmon in Canada hit its lowest level since 2000, per new numbers from the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. A total of 90,000 metric tonnes of salmon were farmed, a colossal 39% dip from the record-high crop seen in 2016. 
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