CBLT - Friday, May 24, 2024 - 12:00 p.m. (ET) - Segment #4

some of the laggards in the alliance once again about their spending. Also of course it is a presidential election year. We know there are always various ebbs and flows in the threats to canada to step up calls for its accountability on defence spending, depending on who's talking. Of course donald trump on the stump has threatened not to come to the defence of nato allies who are not paying their share. On the other hand, the biden administration itself has been more measured in its criticism. Joe biden's ambassador in ottawa, for example, david cohen when he has spoken about this this spring, talked about a whole range of factors the U.S. considers when it looks at canada's nato contributions, that percentage of G.D.P. is just one of them. Also noting the overall trajectory for canada's defence spending is increasing. And I'll note also when germany's defence minister was in ottawa just a few weeks ago, reporters were pushing him to see if he would offer a criticism of canada not meeting its target and he diplomatically declined to do so. Not everyone feels as strongly as these senators, nevertheless, it is interesting to see them sounding those notes ahead of the key summit in july. >> Natasha: the cbc's janyce McGREGOR reporting from ottawa. You're watching cbc news network. [ ] Across Canada, parents face... Natural Negotiators. He's got more no's in him than you have minutes in a day. She can go limp faster than overcooked spaghetti. ( ) She can turn five more minutes into two whole hours. But with Maple Leaf Natural Top Dogs there's nothing to negotiate. Except wanting more. ( ) Frizz, dryness, breakage. New Dove 10-in-1 serum hair mask, with patented peptide complex, fortifies hair bonds, helps reverse ten visible signs of damage in one minute. Keep living. We'll keep repairing. "you can have it all" by george mccrae You. Look. Fabulous. - No, you. - You! You! - Youuuuuu! - Youuuuuu! - It's Old Navy. - It's Old Navy. ( ) That's a dq Chicken Strip Basket! Oh look at those tasty dq chicken strips. And fries! Plus all the dips! Oh let's order one, right now! Dq. Happy Tastes Good. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) Loving the uncommon is a wonderful thing we have in common. ( ) Voltaren Emulgel Extra Strength contains an anti-inflammatory... ...that has the power to relieve your muscle and joint pain. It penetrates deep to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. And you can go 12 hours between applications. Voltaren. The joy of movement. ( ) ( ) Stop dreaming. Start shopping. Red Tag Days are on at Toyota, with great offers on select models. Find yours at ShopToyota.ca Let's maximize those dreams. That's right. The next lotto max jackpot is an estimated $70 million, plus an estimated 12 maxmillions. A backyard putting green? What about a whole backyard course! Got another dreamer! Get your lotto MAXtickets today! [olg sting] [ ] >> Natasha: some alcoholic drinks available for sale in ontario will become more widely available and much sooner than expected. Ontario premier doug ford made an announcement just a few moments ago. Essentially, beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails will be sold at licensed convenience stores, supermarkets and even gas stations. The cbc's linda ward takes us through some of the changes. . >> Linda: we knew these changes were coming and that there would be an expansion where these beverages could be sold in ontario and that was announced back in december. It was announced this would be in place no later than january 1, 2026. Now we know this is coming in much more quickly than originally anticipated and it will start on august 1 with a three-phased approach. Now, this approach, as I said, august 1st means that a grocery store that already sell beer and wine in the province will now be able to sell coolers and

ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers. Beverages that come in a can premixed. Also increased pack sizes. They will be able to sell larger packs than what they are allowed to now. A 2-4 or even a 30-pack. The premier says. As of september 5th, all eligible convenience stores can sell beer, wine, R.T.D.s and ciders. October 31, all other eligible grocery stores, and big box stores that don't currently sell beer and wine can sell alcoholic beverages. Premier ford in that press conference today said this means 8500 more stores across the province will be eligible. >> Premier Doug Ford: we promised this back in 2018 and we're going to move forward for the people of ontario. They want it. We're going to do it. >> Natasha: linda, this move comes with up to $225 million of public money for the beer store. What does the premier have to say about that? >> Linda: that raised a lot of questions because taxpayer dollars, he is going to face questions on that when it comes to opening up sales of alcohol. In december the government notified the beer store that a long-standing agreement that they have to limit the number of stores authorized to sell alcohol will not be renewed, but that was supposed expire december 31, 2025, ahead of when this was supposed to come into play. So now it's coming into play earlier and they are giving $225 million to the beer store. The premier was asked why taxpayers are on the hook to speed up this deal. >> Premier Doug Ford: but it's not going directly to the beer stores. Where it's going is to make sure we protect the beer store employees, to make sure they know they're going to be taken care of. We're going to audit every single penny to make sure it's going to the right place. It's not going to the big breweries' pocket or anything like that. It's going to the front-line people who we support. >> Linda: he also said it is going to keep the stores open for their popular recycling and bottle return program. That program will keep running until at least 2031. Now, it is also important to note hard liquor, gin, whisky, vodka, things like that will still only be sold at lcbo stores in the province. They will be making less money. They will act as a wholesaler selling to these new outlets but at a discount. Ford was asked how much this will cost the lcbo in money that would otherwise go to the government and he didn't give an answer to that. He was also asked about concerns from health advocate groups, addictions advocates who say that this is going to create bigger health problems in the province. He said that his government has made major investments in health services and didn't go much further than that in terms of their concerns, natasha. >> Natasha: cbc's linda ward reporting. [ ] Listen up! Here's a lesson about Activia Fibre a simple way to add fibre and 1 billion probiotics to your day that contribute to healthy gut flora It starts inside Activia Arena Announcer: She's gonna get the gold! Announcer: Chasing a world record... Man: Whenever [in discernable] Announcer: ..or charting a new course away from a dangerous past. Woman: Oh my goodness. Announcer: Facing your fears. Woman:Paris is going to be my redemption story. Announcer:Powerful stories of athletes writing new chapters as they live their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. Woman 2:Like, I know I'm gonna make it and it's a yes until it's like a no. Announcer: Toyota Breakthrough, stories of athletes starting their impossible. Okay, and root beer to drink? No. [gasping] What? He didn't get root beer? I'm getting frozen root beer. Oh! Try frozen a&w root beer with sweet cream. [rock] we're legendary Man: You don't scare me. Look out! [explosion] Ain't nobody gonna stop me. Stadium announcer: We have a new world record. Arena announcer: She scores! Both: Oh my God. Woman: We're a team. [woman yells indiscernibly] we're legendary We fight the best we can. Stadium announcer: Unbelievable. [ ]

>> Natasha: canada's competition watchdog has launched a probe into two grocery giants. Documents viewed by "the canadian press" the commissioner is looking into loblaws and empire to decide if they are blocking competition by other food retailers, something that limits choice and can keep food prices high. Jeannie lee is looking into this for us. What exactly is the competition bureau looking into? >> Jeannie: well, natasha, it will be poring over a ton of documents by the looks of it because there will be a lot to consider if the competition bureau is going to prove if there is any kind of anti-competitive behaviour going on. Here is what we mean. If you look at the federal court website, it shows the steps taken so far. There is the initial application of the commissioner of competition versus empire company and versus george weston which is parent company of loblaws. Each of them have exhibits a to m, that's a lot of exhibits, filed on may 6 and there will be more to come. Each dossier has documents and no court date. We know these food giants by more familiar names like sobeys and no frills and fresh co and loblaws. There are multiple grocery stores under each of the banners. So that means a lot of leases. They are such big tenants that there is a question of whether they hold a lot of power in being able to build in terms and conditions that will dictate who can set up shop near them and what kind of businesses those can be. This apparently according to the competition bureau sets up conditions for the customers. We have higher prices and less choice which is not good for consumers. >> Natasha: how does the bureau go about deciding what is normal, capitalist competition versus downright anti-competitiveness? >> Jeannie: that is an excellent question because obviously you do need some protections as a business in some cases if you're going to even set up as a business. So there are a lot of arguments here about how much we can expect companies to have in the way of restrictive covenants. Let's take a look at some of those. Those restrictive covenants or just controls on property dictate who can lease property. For example, I tried to buy an ice cream cone the other day, I had to walk a long way around the neighbourhood to find an ice cream store. I'm not saying that's the case, but basically you don't want too many businesses right up against each other because otherwise who can survive is the argument. There could be a common practice to have these property controls to justify the company making the investments, opening the stores and even expanding. You wouldn't do that if you had too much competition. Again, overly controlling, you have the ability to block rivals from expanding, that's not good for competitors or consumers. Those are the two sides of the argument. We'll be watching to see how this shakes down. >> Natasha: okay, th Welcome to Canmore, Alberta. This will be your toughest day yet. -Get back up! Boom! -Don't eavesdrop. -i can't shut my ears off. Well then shut your mouth off. Announcer: Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Watch free onCBC Gem. ( ) At Marshalls, our buyers spend everyday hustling for the brands you love. So you don't have to. ( ) We get the deals, you get the good stuff. Marshalls. When you back hurts, life hurts. Robax dual action formula relieves pain and relaxes tight muscles. Take back your back with Robax. Let's go for a skate, and a little chat. Because retirement today is not what it used to be. The good news is we're living longer and more active lives, but planning for that longevitycan come with some challenges. Thankfully as a Canadian homeowner aged 55 and better, you have options. The chip Program allows you to access the value of your home without selling it. So you can live retirement on your terms. If you're 55 or older call now for your free no obligation chip Reverse Mortgage Guide. With chip you get up to 55% of your home's value in tax free cash take only what you need in a lump sum or over time with no monthly mortgage payments required. Call (number on screen)

Copyright protected and owned by broadcaster. Your licence is limited to private, internal, non-commercial use. All reproduction, broadcast, transmission or other use of this work is strictly prohibited.

Transcripts