Saturday May 17, 2008
Latest Columns 
Sharpen your pencil, Mr. McGuinty
Published: Saturday, May 17, 2008 12:00 AM Page B2
Some days, it feels like Canada's auto industry is as preoccupied with making speeches as making pickup trucks. The unions say Canadian car factories are getting killed by the rising dollar and by unfair trade, and ask the government for financial aid. The auto manufacturers say they're getting killed by the rising dollar and high costs; they ask the unions for lower wages and the government for financial aid.
In mining, bulk is great. But then what?
Online Edition: Thursday, May 15, 2008 06:00 AM
Getting big is a lot more fun than being big
In mining, bulk is great. But then what?
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:00 AM Page B2
A fellow who has spent time in the mining business was talking about the twists of fate and fortune in digging up rocks. ''Look at Newmont,'' he said, referring to the largest U.S. gold company. Investors are looking at Newmont - with disdain.
Pull the plug on raters' special status
Online Edition: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 06:00 AM
Agencies hand out “AAA” the way clowns throw bonbons at little children
Pull the plug on raters' special status
Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 12:00 AM Page B2
What's the most powerful brand name in the world? Ask 50 of your closest friends and you may get nearly as many different answers. Maybe it's Coca-Cola or Microsoft or Wal-Mart. Toyota, Apple and Google are contenders. China Mobile now ranks in the top 10, according to one study (it put the BlackBerry at No. 51).
Big Agri starts to wear black hats
Online Edition: Saturday, May 10, 2008 06:00 AM
A little more transparency may help public image
Big Agri starts to wear black hats
Published: Saturday, May 10, 2008 12:00 AM Page B2
Here's something you don't see every day: A $65-billion enterprise, one of the largest in the United States, taking the trouble to write a lengthy news release announcing that it's spending $660. That's $660, without ''million'' attached to it.
Stronach in the saddle … a sight to behold
Online Edition: Thursday, May 8, 2008 06:00 AM
There must be something extra in it for him
Stronach in the saddle ... a sight to behold
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008 12:00 AM Page B2
How does he do it? How does Frank Stronach get away with it - the arrogance, the bullying, the opportunism?This is Canada. We're a nation of immigrants. We like to celebrate self-made success. And so we listen to the tale of how Mr. Stronach came here and set up his business in a garage in Toronto, and how Magna grew and grew, and how it was rescued from the brink of death in the early 1990s, and so on. It's a good story. But can we just set aside the legend of Frank the Great Entrepreneur for a moment?
Sprott's hot, but that price could burn
Online Edition: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 06:00 AM
Nearly impossible to lose money with him, until now
