Statistics Canada says wholesale sales dropped in July as lumber prices fell

Shipping containers are shown at the Port of Montreal, on April 25, 2021. (Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA -

Statistics Canada says wholesale sales fell 2.1 per cent to $70.1 billion in July, as building material and supplies sales plunged due to a drop in prices for softwood lumber.

The agency says it was the second consecutive overall decline and the largest drop since April 2020.

The move lower came as sales of building materials and supplies fell 12.4 per cent, due to lower prices for lumber, while sales of personal and household goods fell 1.6 per cent and food, beverage and tobacco sales edged down 0.8 per cent.

The largest gain came as the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector rose 1.8 per cent.

Excluding the building material and supplies subsector, wholesale sales rose 0.1 per cent.

Overall sales in constant dollar terms fell 2.4 per cent in July.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2021

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization

The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.

Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free

An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.

Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial

Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.

Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high

The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.

More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse

More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.

'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments

An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.

76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.

U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom

An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Canada

B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization

The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free

An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled

After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse

More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun

An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her

A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.

World

U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom

An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Columbia University president faces vote of confidence as protests spread

Columbia's embattled president came under renewed pressure on Friday as a university oversight committee met to address her attempt two weeks ago to clamp down on protests that have roiled the Ivy League school and spread across the country and aboard.
British Army says horses that bolted and ran loose in central London continue 'to be cared for'

The military horses that bolted and ran loose when spooked by construction noise in central London earlier this week "continue to be cared for and closely observed," the British Army said Friday.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial

Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Ukraine's farm minister is the latest corruption suspect as Kyiv aims to undo recent Russian gains

A Ukrainian court on Friday ordered the detention of the country's farm minister in the latest high-profile corruption investigation, while Kyiv security officials assessed how they can recover lost battlefield momentum in the war against Russia.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police

The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.

Politics

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Canada allocates millions for drone production, ammunition to support Ukraine

The federal government is earmarking $3 million for production of drones in Ukraine in support of Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled

After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.

Health

'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising

Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse

More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week

Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.

Sci-Tech

These are the countries where TikTok is already banned

TikTok is in the crosshairs of authorities in the U.S., where a new law threatens a nationwide ban unless its China-based parent ByteDance divests. Here are the places that have partial or total bans on TikTok.
Hubble Space Telescope marks 34 years with new portrait of a 'cosmic dumbbell'

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of the glowing gas ejected from a dying star, which in this case happens to resemble a 'cosmic dumbbell.'
Boeing and NASA decide to move forward with historic crewed launch of new spacecraft

After years of delays and a dizzying array of setbacks during test flights, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crewed launch.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video

A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set

Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end. The comedian began performing her 'Ellen's Last Stand…Up Tour' this week, her first major project since 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' finished its run in 2022.
Mary J. Blige found her strength and now wants to help other women find their own

Mary J. Blige's "Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit" is partnering with Pepsi to launch a fund with US$100,000 available as grants to local organizations whose work elevates and educates underserved women in Yonkers.

Business

Ottawa, Quebec commit $100M for semiconductor capacity in Bromont, Que., 280 jobs

The federal and Quebec governments are spending close to $100 million to boost the country's manufacturing capacity for semiconductors, which are vital in technologies ranging from artificial intelligence to quantum computing.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: Jobs report

The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Ford just reported a massive loss on every electric vehicle it sold

Ford’s electric vehicle unit reported that losses soared in the first quarter to US $1.3 billion, or US$132,000 for each of the 10,000 vehicles it sold in the first three months of the year.

Lifestyle

Serving up memories: Closed Winnipeg restaurants dish out history

Take an illustrated look back at the culinary history of Winnipeg.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million

An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months

During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.

Sports

Nylander rejoins Leafs during practice ahead of Game 4 against Bruins

Maple Leafs winger William Nylander appears on course to suit up for the first time in this spring's Stanley Cup playoffs.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.

Autos

'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments

An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Ford just reported a massive loss on every electric vehicle it sold

Ford’s electric vehicle unit reported that losses soared in the first quarter to US $1.3 billion, or US$132,000 for each of the 10,000 vehicles it sold in the first three months of the year.
Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants

Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.

B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization

The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
'Many witnesses' in area during deadly stabbing in White Rock, B.C., investigators say

Homicide detectives investigating a fatal stabbing in White Rock, B.C., say there were several witnesses in the area during the altercation between the 26-year-old victim and the perpetrator who remains at large.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say

A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.

Toronto

More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse

More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'Extremely traumatizing:' Boy, 11, struck by transport truck in Etobicoke

An 11-year-old boy struck by a transport truck in Etobicoke on Friday morning suffered critical injuries and is receiving treatment at a Toronto trauma centre, police say.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments

An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.

Calgary

Stabbing at Calgary Value Village under investigation by police

Calgary police took two people into custody on Friday after a stabbing in the community of Haysboro.
Calgary included in the City Nature Challenge that kicks off in 667 cities around the world tracking global biodiversity

A four day global challenge that's one of the largest citizen science events on the planet kicks off Friday, running from April 26th to the 29th.
Yusufu, Calgary Zoo’s 20-year-old mandrill, passes away

Yusufu, a 20-year-old mandrill who has lived at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for a decade, has died.

Ottawa

Trucker from Newfoundland missing in eastern Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing man from Newfoundland who disappeared in eastern Ontario.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising

Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Electric Scooters Back in Ottawa, Longer Hours Offered

Electric scooters are once again rolling down the streets of Ottawa ahead of another summer, providing residents with a convenient mode of transportation for short trips in the downtown core.

Montreal

Investigation underway after worker dies at Port of Montreal

Officials with Quebec's workplace safety board are being sent to the Port of Montreal on Friday after a worker was killed on the job.
Objects found outside residential building were not dynamite sticks: Montreal police

Montreal police deployed a bomb squad and ordered an evacuation of certain buildings in an east-end neighbourhood Friday afternoon after a resident claimed to have found sticks of dynamite.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video

A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.

Edmonton

Cat who jumped from burning balcony in critical condition: management company

A cat that jumped from the balcony of a burning building in downtown Edmonton on Thursday afternoon is in critical condition, building officials say.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality

A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Brett Kissel curse? Radio host starts petition to stop singer from performing anthem at Oilers playoff games

An Edmonton radio host created a petition to stop country music singer Brett Kissel from performing the anthem at Oilers playoff games – and Kissel signed it.

Atlantic

First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old

A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Cape Breton police find dead body in woods

Cape Breton Regional Police found a dead body in Sydney, N.S., Thursday evening.
Community steps up to support popular chef during cancer battle

A popular chef, who is fighting a battle against an aggressive form of cancer, is getting support from her community.

Winnipeg

Serving up memories: Closed Winnipeg restaurants dish out history

Take an illustrated look back at the culinary history of Winnipeg.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled

After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Missing blind pug reunited with Manitoba family after 16 days

A blind pug has been safely returned to its home in Manitoba after going missing for 16 days.

Regina

Man charged with murder, victim identified in southeast Sask. homicide case

RCMP have identified 28-year-old Brianna Hayes from Oxbow, Sask. as the victim in an ongoing homicide investigation in the province’s southeast. As a result, police have charged 24-year-old Taylor Japp, also from Oxbow with second degree murder, an RCMP news release said.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun

An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Here's where fire bans and restrictions are in effect in Sask.

Fire restrictions are currently in effect for three Saskatchewan provincial parks and multiple rural and urban municipalities (RM) and individual communities around the province.

Kitchener

About 10 companies interested in Wilmot land, says Minister of Economic Investment

Ontario’s Minister of Economic Investment, Job Creation and Trade says a number of companies have shown interest in a tract of land the Region of Waterloo is trying to assemble in Wilmot Township.
Construction worker in hospital after hit-and-run crash in Cambridge: WRPS

A 57-year-old male construction worker was transported to an out-of-region hospital with serious injuries after police say he was hit by a driver who did not remain at the scene.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000

Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon police investigating after body found at recycling facility

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) and Saskatchewan Coroners Service are investigating after a woman’s body was found at a recycling facility Friday morning.
Four people arrested after attempted armed robbery in Saskatoon

Four people, including two teen girls, were arrested and charged after an attempted armed robbery on Thursday evening.
Blades, Warriors prepare for first all Sask. conference final in 31 years

For the first time since 1993 two Saskatchewan teams will face each other in the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Eastern Conference Final as the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatoon Blades get their third round series underway Friday night

Northern Ontario

Northern Ont. hunters fined $8,500 for illegal moose hunt

Two hunters from North Bay, Ont., and a third from Temagami pled guilty recently to offences they committed during a 2022 moose hunt.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Police in northern Ont. attacked by person they found lying in the street

Ontario Provincial Police responding to a disturbance in West Nipissing this week discovered a conscious person lying in the street.

London

Portion of Highway 401 reopens following fatal crash

A fatal crash in Thames Centre closed down a portion of Highway 401 westbound. Around 2:15 a.m., first responders were called to westbound lanes of the highway between Culloden and Putnam Roads for a two-vehicle crash.
'It’s more than rock stars': New private jet facility a boost for London

A new private aviation centre at the London International Airport is expected to raise the city’s profile.
Two people taken to hospital after Oxford County crash

An unknown number of people have been taken to hospital following a crash in Oxford County. OPP are on scene of the two-vehicle crash at 37th Line and Road 74 in Zorra.

Barrie

OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
Pedestrian struck by CP train in Alliston

A man is in serious condition after being struck by a train near Alliston.
Police warn of caller ID phone scams

Faking a caller identity has never been so easy.

Windsor

NFL Draft: Windsor welcomes as Detroit overflows with fans

All the excitement of the NFL Draft has officially descended upon Detroit, with Windsor welcoming the spillover.
Windsor police seize $120,000 in drugs

Windsor police have arrested two people after seizing $120,000 in illegal drugs.
Former high school teacher facing another trial

A former high school teacher who just finished one trial is now facing another.

Vancouver Island

B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization

The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free

An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Vehicle involved in fatal B.C. hit-and-run crash located, police say

Mounties have found a vehicle believed to have struck and killed a young woman on Vancouver Island in a hit-and-run crash last week.

Kelowna

B.C. man rescues starving dachshund trapped in carrier: BC SPCA

An emaciated dachshund is now recovering thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the pup near a biking trail in Kelowna, according to the BC SPCA.
Search crews called in after missing Kelowna senior's truck found

Search and rescue crews have been called in after a vehicle belonging to a missing senior was located near a rural intersection outside of Kelowna Tuesday.
Homicide investigation underway after body found near Kelowna, B.C.

Major crime detectives in British Columbia are investigating a suspected homicide after a body was found in a remote area southeast Kelowna over the weekend.

Lethbridge

'No real winner' following first Alberta NDP leadership debate: political scientist

An Alberta political scientist said the NDP leadership hopefuls remained fairly even following the first of the party’s debates.
Multiple grass fires sparked near Kipp rail yard

It was a busy Wednesday evening for fire crews in Lethbridge County after multiple grass fires were sparked near the Kipp rail yard.
Former U of L student awarded diversity, equity and inclusion medal by NASA

A former University of Lethbridge student has been awarded the Medal for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Equity by NASA.

Sault Ste. Marie

Sault council looks at options for vacant home tax

Meeting next week, city council in Sault Ste. Marie will get an overview of what to expect if it decides to implement a new tax on empty homes in the city.
Northern Ont. hunters fined $8,500 for illegal moose hunt

Two hunters from North Bay, Ont., and a third from Temagami pled guilty recently to offences they committed during a 2022 moose hunt.
Garden River chief meets with disgruntled band members over payout concerns

Some members of the Garden River First Nation are demanding answers regarding the disbursement of the Robinson-Huron Treaty settlement funds.

N.L.

Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.
Cenovus fined $2.5 million for biggest oil spill in Newfoundland and Labrador history

Cenovus Energy has been ordered to pay a $2.5-million fine for its role in the largest offshore oil spill ever recorded in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit

As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.