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If you still have holiday shopping to do, Saturday's the day to start. A federal tax "holiday" will kick in this weekend, lasting for two months. It waives the tax on some categories of essential goods, a measure the federal government says is meant to help Canadians battle the high cost of living. The GST/HST holiday begins Saturday As GST break approaches, small businesses prepare for a tax holiday headache Thought it's a federal measure, in Ontario the entire 13 per cent harmonized sales tax will disappear off categories of items including children's clothing, prepared foods, restaurant meals, toys and book and even real Christmas trees, even though the federal portion of the tax is just five per cent. "We'll start marketing first thing tomorrow morning that it's available," Richard Peddie, owner of River Bookshop in Amherstburg, told CBC's Windsor Morning . "So yes, I would hope [we see more business]. I mean 13 per cent is pretty significant." LISTEN: We're just one day away from a litany of goods becoming tax-free Windsor Morning 8:48 We're just one day away from a litany of goods becoming tax-free Nicole Sekela is one of the owners of Rock Bottom Bar and Grill in West Windsor, and Richard Peddie owns River Bookshop in Amherstburg. They speak with CBC Windsor Morning guest host Josiah Sinanan. Nicole Sekela is one of the owners of Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. She says that she's heard customers talking about the tax break, but hasn't seen anyone delay dining out in anticipation. "We've got lots of parties booked already, so I'm hoping more people come out. I hope they take advantage of it," she said. The tax holiday was announced last month. Shoppers don't need to do or claim the exemption; rather, it will not be charged at the point of sale. The break will be in place until Feb.15, 2025. Initially, Sekela says she worried about the tech side of it — having to make changes to each individual menu item to turn off the tax. But instead her software allowed her to do it by menu category — sandwiches, beers, etcetera — so it was easier than anticipated. CBC Kids News The Trudeau government's GST/HST holiday, explained for kids But, she said, there are items like cocktails that are not tax-exempt, so she's had to educate her staff in preparation for customer questions. Both Peddie and Sekela agreed the move was largely political — but Sekela says she's still planning to capitalize on it. "Historically for restaurants, you know, January and February is our slow time. So I guess we'll just take advantage." At River Bookshop, Peddie says staff were combing through titles one by one until nearly the end of the week to make sure the tax was turned off. It's been a bit of added complexity at an already-busy time of year. "I think ... the whole idea was done by a bunch of people who really didn't understand retail," he said. "The bookshop we have 40,000 titles... available and we had to go through everything. "So it was a challenge. It's still going to be worthwhile. We've got high unemployment in this area, the highest in in Canada, inflation still really high. There's going to be a lot of people that take advantage of this. "So, on balance we'll take it for sure." Here's a list of items getting a tax break: Food and groceries Prepared foods such as sandwiches, salads, platters and pre-made meals. Snacks including chips, candy, baked goods, fruit-based snacks and granola bars. Energy bars, but only if they are considered to be food by Health Canada are not enhanced by protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals and meets other qualifications. Gift baskets, as long as at least 90 per cent of the contents are qualifying food or beverage items. Prepared meals and beverages, including delivery, but only when the food establishment delivers the meal. Prepared meals delivered by a third party (the delivery cost is not tax-exempt). Beverages All non-alcoholic drinks, such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices and smoothies, provided they aren't sold through a vending machine. Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, cider and sake, so long as the alcohol volume is 22.9 per cent or less. Spirit mixed coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages with an alcohol volume of seven per cent or less. Energy and protein shakes, provided they aren't enhanced with protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals, and provided Health Canada considers them to be a food or beverage. Restaurant meals and drinks Meals purchased at pubs, bars, food trucks or other places serving food and beverages. Mixed drinks served in restaurants and bars if they are qualifying beverages — sparkling wine and orange juice qualify, but a vodka and soda does not. Tips paid on meals and drinks, but only if they are included in the bill. Catering services that provide qualifying food and beverages. Children's clothing and accessories Infant and children's clothes, including accessories such as bibs, blankets, hats, belts, suspenders, gloves and mittens. Footwear with an insole length of 24.25 cm or less. Some sports clothing, such as jerseys, ski jackets, leotards, unitards and bodysuits that can be worn outside of sports or dance activities. Diapers, both cloth and disposable, training pants or rubber pants designed to be used with diapers. Children's car seats, provided they meet Canadian safety standards and are not part of a stroller/carrier travel system. Specialized items of clothing — including wetsuits, soccer cleats, bowling shoes, skates, ski boots and tap shoes — do not qualify. Children's toys and video games Board games and card games, including playing cards and Pokémon cards. Toys that involve building, creating or assembling structures. Dolls, plush toys and soft toys and their accessories. Toys marketed for children below 14 years of age. Jigsaw puzzles for all ages. Video game consoles and video games for consoles qualify, but downloadable or online-only games do not. Collectibles — including hockey cards, dolls or other toys marketed to adults — do not qualify. Books, magazines and newspapers Most published books, including guide books and audio books. Bound or unbound printed versions of scripture associated with any religion. Magazines and periodicals bought with a subscription which have no more than five per cent of their printed space devoted to advertising. Newspapers that contain news stories, editorials, features, or other information of interest to the general public and are published daily, weekly or monthly.Global Workload Scheduling Automation Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-IBM Corporation, CA INC, ASG Technologies Group INC, Advanced Systems Concepts INC, Cisco Systems INC, the former governor of New Jersey, has slammed Homeland Security Secretary for playing down the threat of drones buzzing around the state—and warned that “drone vigilantes” may soon start taking matters into their own hands. Appearing on ’s on Sunday after the show interviewed Mayorkas, Christie said he had seen several drones himself. In response to a reference made by ABC host George Stephanopoulos to Mayrokas’ statement that the drones did not present any “unusual activity” or immediate threat, Christie said: “To say this is not unusual activity, it’s just wrong!” “I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house. And I was in a restaurant in Monmouth County on Friday night, had people at the bar coming up to me and saying, Governor Murphy won’t tell me anything. The president won’t tell me anything. Do you know? Like, well, I don’t know,” he also said. Mayorkas explained that he wanted his “authority” to be expanded in order to deal with the drones mystifying local residents and other onlookers in New Jersey. “I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house.” Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie warns that conspiracy theories will grow if the federal government does not address reported aerial sightings. — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) In an earlier interview with Stephanopoulos, Mayorkas said he was not able to order the drones to be taken down by US state agencies. Christie, once a candidate to be the Republicans’ presidential nominee, blamed the Biden administration for failing to be truthful with the American population. “If you don’t fill that vacuum, all the conspiracy theories get filled in there,” he said. “You’ve got people like Congressman Jeff Van drew saying there’s an Iranian mothership off the coast of New Jersey. Absolutely not true, and provably now not true, and he’s had to back off that.” “You can’t have conspiracy theorists filling the space, but the Biden administration and state authorities have to be more vocal and let people know exactly what they’re doing,” he added. He also explained how sightings of drones were likely to affect locals who may have heard about drones being used in more dangerous contexts. “It’s a newish technology to most people, and they’re worried about it and concerned. And to the extent they’re following things around the world, they hear about drones being deployed in Ukraine all the time as weapons, and us deploying drones as weapons at times. So you can see why people are concerned.” Christie called on the government to end the matter once and for all by attacking the drones. “I’d want our state police to be able to have the authority to bring those drones down and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing” “What we’re going to find, George, is you’re going to have individuals acting as drone vigilantes, and they’re going to start taking them down. That’s not what we want, because they’re now an important part of commerce, and law enforcement uses them frequently for surveillance and other things we need to be able to operate a safe way, and we’re not doing that.” His appearance on ABC came just a day after president-elect Donald Trump trolled Christie with an AI-generated meme of drones appearing to deliver McDonalds to Christie. The pair once enjoyed a friendly relationship but it soured after Trump claimed to win the 2020 election.
Daily Post Nigeria Cash scarcity: CBN gives update on validity of old N1000, 500, N200 Naira notes Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Business Cash scarcity: CBN gives update on validity of old N1000, 500, N200 Naira notes Published on December 13, 2024 By Ogaga Ariemu The Central Bank of Nigeria has reiterated that the old N1000, N500, and N200 denominations remain valid and legal tender nationwide. The spokesperson of the apex bank, Hakama Sidi Ali, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. CBN’s comments come as cash scarcity worsened nationwide despite the apex banks’ directive to Nigerian banks to ensure the availability of cash in Automated Teller Machines. Reacting, CBN clarified that all its banknotes are valid, contrary to the claims making the rounds. “CBN has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and A200 banknotes currently in circulation. “In line with the Bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely. “For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadline. “We, therefore, advise the public to disregard any claims that the old series of the aforementioned banknotes will cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024. We urge Nigerians to continue accepting all Naira banknotes (both old and redesigned) for their daily transactions and to handle them with care to ensure their longevity,” the apex bank said. However, the CBN urged Nigerians to use alternative e-banking payment to carry out their daily transactions. “Furthermore, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, such as e-channels, to reduce pressure on using physical cash,” the statement added. DAILY POST reports cash scarcity has worsened in the past weeks despite CBN’s directive to mitigate the challenges. In October 2024, CBN clarified that there is no deadline to the use of the old banknotes. During the administration of ex-CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele’s Naira redesign policy, the Supreme Court had ruled that the old Naira notes can co-exist with the new notes. Related Topics: CBN naira Don't Miss Naira weakens against dollar to end week on negative note You may like Naira weakens against dollar to end week on negative note Naira appreciates against dollar on official, black markets Naira depreciates against dollar on official, black markets Seek bold solutions – CBN gov Cardoso tells Nigerian bank CEOs CBN denies selling FX to BDCs at N1,300 per dollar Naira appreciates against dollar 24-hours after fall Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd
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Canada has selected 19 Swiss-made Pilatus PC-21 as a new next-generation training aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The Pilatus PC-21 is designed to be benign and easy to fly for the ab-nitio student and challenging for the pilot soon to be qualified for the front line. It can be used to train pilots from their first day until they transition to fighter jets. Pilatus claims the PC-21 boasts superior aerodynamic performance compared to any other turboprop trainers worldwide. What to know of Canada's Future Aircrew Training program The Pilatus PC-21s are part of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program . The program combines two existing training contracts: training done in-house by the Canadian Air Force, the acquisition of new training aircraft, and more. The FAcT program is replacing training services currently provided by two separate contracts. One is the NATO Flying Training in Canada, which is set to expire in 2027, although it's extendable to 2028 (currently provided by CAE Military Aviation). The second contract is provided by Allied Wings, and that is also set to expire in 2027. Canada's Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program: Contract awarded: May 2024 Number of aircraft to be purchased: 70 Aircraft types: 19x Pilatus PC-21, 23x Grob G 120TP, others TBA Contract duration: 25 years Contract value: USD $7.8 billion Contractor: SkyAlyne Canada The Canadian Air Force states , " The FAcT program will also include aircrew training for air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators, which is currently being delivered in-house by the RCAF. The program combines all of these requirements in 1 contract, including maintenance and infrastructure services ." The CAD $11.2 billion (USD $7.8 billion) 25-year contract was awarded to SkyAlyne Canada in May 2024. As part of the contract, SkyAlyne (working with its subcontractor, KF Aerospace) will deliver 70 training aircraft (of which 19 will be Pilatus PC-21 trainers). There is a five-year transition period for SkyAlyne to become the sole pilot and aircrew training program for the Canadian Air Force. Deliveries of the PC-21s are expected to begin in the second half of 2026. The Pilatus PC-21 According to Pilatus , the PC-21 is the only trainer aircraft needed to get pilots flying their fighter jets (although it seems like every plane maker says its aircraft are the best). With the PC-21, pilots start with the simulator and then can perform basic flying, advanced flight, and fighter lead-in training with the PC-21 before transitioning to fighter aircraft. Pitatus states, " On the PC-21, pilots destined to fly fighter aircraft do not need to transition to jets until much later than those flying conventional trainer aircraft, reducing cost and training time. To achieve this, Pilatus significantly expanded the design and performance envelope to take this single-engine turboprop into an area that was, until now, exclusively the domain of jet trainer aircraft ." The PC-21 has Martin-Baker CH-16C Zero-Zero ejection seats, fully balanced and harmonized flight controls, clear visual/system data displays, a full autopilot, and more. The aircraft's powerplant is a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-68B turboprop engine providing 1,600 shaft horsepower, and its propeller is a five-bladed graphite scimitar propeller. Key to the PC-21 is its advanced embedded simulation and training suite. According to Pilatus, " Systems integration is at the heart of the PC-21 cockpit philosophy. As an advanced trainer aircraft, the cockpit display and control systems are configured to match the latest generation front-line aircraft as closely as possible. " Pilatus PC-21 performance: Max speed: 370 knots Range: 720 nautical miles Service ceiling: 37,990 feet Rate of climb: 3,999.4 feet/minute g limits: +8.0 –4.0 aerobatic Roll rates: Excess of 200 degrees per second Pilatus claims the PC-21 has speed and climb rates that only jet-powered aircraft can match. The PC-21's wings are rated for up to 8g maneuvers. The company also claims the aircraft offers "significant advantages" over traditional turboprops and jet trainers. "To train the next generation of military pilots, Pilatus developed the next generation trainer: the PC-21, designed and built specifically with student pilots in mind. With air force budgets under continuous pressure, the PC-21 provides a cost-effective and highly efficient training solution." - Pilatus Adding to Pilatus' attractiveness as a trainer aircraft, the PC-21 has been designed to be affordable with a predictable operating cost. Pilatus says, " Experience with existing PC-21 customers has shown that it is possible to reduce the cost of taking a student to wings graduation by more than 50 percent ." The Australian Air Force states , " It eliminates the need for an elementary flying training fleet, but also bridges the performance gap between traditional turboprop trainers and lead-in fighters ." Even so, the PC-21 is far from a one-stop shop, and air forces use it alongside other training aircraft. For example, Canada is also purchasing 23 Grob G 120TP trainers, and Australia operates Hawk 127 lead-in fighters. For more than 80 years, Pilatus has been building planes in Switzerland. A global export success The Pilatus PC-21 is one of the world's most popular and widely used next-generation trainers . So far, 11 (and counting) air forces and training schools have ordered the PC-21. To date, Pilatus has supplied around 250 PC-21s to various air forces around the world - including the Swiss Air Force, the Spanish Air Force, the Australian Air Force, the Saudi Air Force, and others. Saudi Arabia is the largest aircraft operator, followed by Australia. PC-21 operators: Quantity: PC-21 operators: Quantity: Royal Australian Air Force: 49 Royal Canadian Air Force: 19 (planned) French Air and Space Force: 28 Royal Jordanian Air Force: 12 Qatar Emiri Air Force: 24 Royal Saudi Air Force: 55 Republic of Singapore Air Force: 19 Spanish Air and Space Force: 40 Swiss Air Force: 8 United Arab Emirates Air Force: 25 UK's contractor Qinetiq (on behalf of Empire Test Pilot School): 2 The Royal Australian Air Force agrees that the PC-21 is the " world's most advanced pilot training aircraft ." It says the aircraft ensures undergraduate pilots develop the necessary skills needed before progressing to its advanced. The PC-21 competes with other trainers in the export market, including the Indian HAL HTT-40, the United States, Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, the Brazilian Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, the South Korean KAI KT-1 Woongbi, and the Turkish TAI Hürkuş trainers. Russia is also developing the Yakovlev Yak-152, which may fill a similar role. Pilatus' other aircraft in production Pilatus currently produces four types of aircraft: the PC-21, P-7, P-12, and the P-24 (a mix of turboprop and jet aircraft). In addition to the PC-21, Pilatus also builds the PC-7 basic trainer. The PC-7 is also used in a light attack role by some air forces (e.g., by the Mexican Air Force). Pilatus also builds two types of civilian aircraft - the Pilatus PC-24 and the Pilatus PC-12 . The PC-24 is a light business jet that first flew in 2015 and came into service in 2018 (around 212 of the jets have been produced). The PC-12 is a single-engined turboprop that has been in production since 1991 (with over 2,000 delivered). It is used for corporate transport, various government agencies (e.g., police departments and air forces), and by small regional airlines. Pilatus is the producer of one of the most iconic piston-engine aircraft. The United States Air Force's new advanced jet trainer The USAF Beechcraft T-6 Texan II The US Air Force's comparable trainer is the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, a turboprop trainer developed and built by Textron Aviation. In the 2010s, the Texan II replaced the Air Force's aging Cessna T-37B Tweet and the Navy's T-34C Turb Mentor. The T-6 Texan II is developed from the Pilatus PC-9 developed in the 1980s. Textron uses similar language as Pilatus to describe its trainer, " The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II military training aircraft is a next generation military trainer designed for all instruction levels. Purpose-built for a wide range of capabilities, the model T-6C prepares pilots for real world missions ." The Texan has also been ordered by various other air forces (including New Zealand, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Israel, Greece, and others. The T-6 Texan II sometimes out-competes the PC-21 for export orders (e.g., within days of Canada saying it had selected the PC-21, Japan announced it had chosen the T-6 Texan II). The USAF Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk Meanwhile, the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk is in the final development stages and will soon enter serial production. It is a transonic advanced jet trainer developed to replace the aging Northrop T-38 Talon and the Air Force's advanced jet trainer. "Students flying in the T-7A Red Hawk benefit from enhanced situational awareness, improved decision making, realistic preparation, improved safety and increased confidence compared to other training solutions." - Boeing Boeing states , " The T-7A Red Hawk is an all-new Advanced Pilot Training System (APTS) for the U.S. Air Force, with the flexibility to evolve as technologies, missions, and training needs change ." It also says the Red Hawk is specially built to train pilots on fifth-generation aircraft. The United States Air Force plans to purchase 351 Red Hawk trainers and has an option for 450 (far more than the total orders Pilatus has so far received for its PC-21).