Medicine Hat Home Hardware Building Centre and Alta-Wide Home Building Centre, respectively in Medicine Hat and Vegreville, Alta., have recently converted to the banner. They are owned by Lisa and Mark Brumm, who also own a third store in the province, Sylvan Lake Home Hardware Building Centre (pictured), which became a Home store in 2023. The Brumms have been business partners for 20 years.

As the federal government moves to lower the intake of temporary residents, a CIBC report is calling on policymakers to maintain a “balancing act” between housing and labour needs. “With so much attention focused on the link between immigration, population growth and housing affordability, it is easy to lose sight of the positive impact that newcomers into the country are having, particularly in the labour market,” the report, by economist Andrew Grantham, cautions.

In Grantham’s ideal scenario, government economic incentives would have a chance to kick into gear as interest rates fall, giving the government the opportunity to import the number of workers needed.

West Fraser Timber Co. has announced the completion of the sale of its Quesnel River, B.C., and Slave Lake, Alta., pulp mills to an affiliate of a fund managed by Atlas Holdings. The mills will be operated by Millar Western Forest Products, which joined Atlas in 2017. Both facilities produce bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp for the manufacture of paper products.

Castle Building Centres welcomed nearly 500 shareholders, vendors, and staff to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa for its 61st annual general meeting earlier this month. The four-day event included presentations by marketing expert Ron Tite and Australian surfer Mark Mathews. At the closing gala, dealers and vendors were recognized during an awards presentation, while hockey great Hayley Wickenheiser delivered a keynote address.

RONA inc. has completed the sale of its distribution centre in Terrebonne, a suburb of Montreal, to BMTC Group, a holding company in Montreal. The imminent cessation of regular operations at RONA’s Terrebonne facility had been announced back in January. BMTC, in a release, said that the deal cost $96 million before taxes—and RONA has a lease-back agreement, the details of which were not specified.

Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has announced a series of events to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. From April 25 through May 8, an anniversary sale will feature deals such as 25 percent off BeautiTone Designer paints and 60 percent off the Mosaic kitchen brand.

A promotion from April 25 to 28 will allow Scene+ cardholders to earn 60 bonus points on purchases of $50 or more. Contests will also feature in the celebrations. From April 25 to May 22, customers can enter for a chance to win one of two $5,000 grand prizes or one of 50 $1,000 gift cards. Starting April 26, social media users can win prizes for answering Home Hardware trivia questions or sharing their favourite Home Hardware memories.

The Retail Council of Canada will hold a one-day Retail Human Resources Conference next week on Thursday, April 25. Features of the event include a conversation between Browns Shoes CFO Robert Laufer and Diane Brisebois, the RCC’s president and CEO. The conference takes place at the International Centre next to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Investment in building construction declined 1.1 percent to $19.3 billion in February, StatCan reports. Spending in the residential sector dropped by 1.2 percent from January to $13.4 billion, led by a $153 million decline in Ontario. In the single-family detached segment, however, investment rose by 1.3 percent to $6.7 billion, with gains reported across the country with the exception of Yukon.

Wolseley Canada will hold the grand opening of its latest outlet next week in North Surrey, B.C. It’s a 20,000-square-foot facility offering a full range of Wolseley Canada’s plumbing and HVAC products. The facility also includes a Studio showroom featuring the latest in kitchen and bath trends and lighting fixtures. The grand opening will take place on April 24.

Canadian Tire has been recognized as one of Canada’s most trusted brands. In Léger’s Reputation 2024 Study, Canadian Tire landed in the third spot, behind international brands Google and Sony. Last year, it ranked number four. Other retailers on the list were Shoppers Drug Mart at number six, Dollarama at number nine, and Costco at number 10.

Léger surveyed more than 38,000 Canadians to explore their perspectives on close to 300 companies across 30 sectors. Conducted annually, it’s based on Léger’s six pillars of reputation—financial strength, social responsibility, honesty and transparency, quality, attachment, and innovation.