Air Canada is selling a 25% stake in Aeroplan to a group led by Blackstone and CDPQ in a deal that values the loyalty program at more than $10 billion — more than the airline itself — as carriers increasingly lean on points programs to keep their businesses flying.
Plus, youth unemployment is rising around the world as weaker growth and AI disruption squeeze entry-level hiring, with Canada’s youth jobless rate still nearly double the national average.
And in The Big Picture: Canada and the U.S. remain far apart on a trade deal ahead of looming tariffs, the Lakers sell for a record $12.5 billion, Canada tests homegrown drone tech, and Google unveils wearables that can track insulin resistance.