Economy, Law & Politics

Low-income Vancouverites facing eviction due to an inability to pay their rent will soon be able to get a loan from a new rent bank.

Other 2012 federal budget highlights announced today include the following: The age of eligibility for Canadians to receive their old-age security pension has been increased to 67, from 65, starting in 2023.

The federal government’s just-announced budget will eliminate the penny, arguing that the coin has become an economic burden to the country and a nuisance to consumers. The government currently spends 1.

The provincial government is pitching Bill 32, the Energy and Water Efficiency Act, as a way to lower B.C. businesses’ operating costs. The bill, which was introduced Wednesday, replaces the Energy Efficiency Act.

Corporate Canada is in better shape than it was before the recession and posting the strongest corporate performance since at least 1990, according to a CIBC World Markets Inc. report .

Langley-based First West Credit Union has announced asset growth of 7.4% to $4.74 billion in 2011. First West, B.C.

Hal (Mick) McLeod , mastermind of the multimillion-dollar Manna Ponzi scheme, was arrested earlier this month by the BC Securities Commission (BCSC), which is issuing a warning against giving McLeod money.

Vancouver’s growth in GDP is expected to level off this year, partly due to government restraint, but will be offset by strong job growth and a booming mining sector, which is expected to help boost GDP to 3.

Cardiome Pharma Corp. (TSX:COM) lost more than half its stock value in a single day with the announcement that Merck is pulling out of an agreement to take Vernakalant, an oral version of the company's heart drug, through clinical trials.

Federal-provincial investments pay for consumer education and improved market information for producers