All aboard

There were a few reasons to envy the kids in The Partridge Family. Fame and fortune were one thing, but how about their totally groovy wheels? That thing put to shame any bus you ever rode on for a field trip 😂

Even if you never got to ride a psychedelic bus like that, it looks like there’s hope for some canine friends to do so. An Ontario-based doggy daycare company called PawTrips is making headlines for their totally tubular dog-transporting bus. 

You know what those pups will be asking ;)

(Love nostalgia? Play today’s trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card!)

IN THE NEWS

How severe could recession be for Canada?

Economists at this point aren’t really debating whether or not Canada is on track to a recession, but rather how bad the recession will be when it inevitably comes.

The economy has already been shedding jobs as a result of U.S. president Donald Trump’s trade policies, and some are forecasting the losses may level off if Canada adjusts swiftly.

“We can see perhaps another 100,000 jobs lost,” TD chief economist and vice-president, Beata Caranci, said in an interview with The Globe and Mail. “We’ve already had over 70,000 lost in the private sector in two months.”

She said in a separate conversation with Global News that further losses will depend on how quickly governments in Canada can insulate major industries from the impact yet to be felt from American tariffs.

“The 100,000 jobs looks like a big number but it amounts to 0.4 per cent of the labour force,” Caranci said.

“Past recessions have corresponded with job losses in a range of one to five per cent of the labour force. This speaks to the belief that there will be a front-loaded adjustment to the tariff environment, but it’ll likely lack severity.”

GOVERNMENT

Carney sends Cabinet mandate letter

Prime Minister Mark Carney sent a mandate letter to his Cabinet, requesting they prepare themselves to take a “generational challenge head on.”

The PM addressed the media heading out of the Cabinet retreat the other day, emphasizing the importance of sending a single unified message to his department heads.

“Canada’s new government has an immense responsibility to address these challenges head on with focus, new strategies and determined execution,” Carney said during a press conference on Wednesday following a cabinet retreat.

“That new approach animates the mandate letter that I shared with all members of our ministry at the end of our meeting. It reflects a unified mission.”

The letter identified seven key priorities for the government to focus on, chief among which was restoring and strengthening the security and economic relationship Canada has traditionally enjoyed with the United States.

It also emphasized the importance of tearing down internal trade barriers and tackling the national housing affordability crisis.

Parliament will meet on Monday to elect a new speaker, followed the next day by the Throne Speech to be delivered by King Charles III.

CONSUMER

Food bank use skyrockets

The share of working families that require food assistance is rising fast across the country, including in places with younger populations like Calgary.

The Calgary Food Bank published a report revealing that over 25% of Calgary families that are making use of the service are employed full-time.

“Over time we have witnessed an increased number of employed people accessing the Calgary Food Bank,” said Dr. Lucy Harry, the Calgary Food Bank’s head of research, in a release.

“Clients have told us that this is due to the combined impact of a rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and the prevalence of precarious work.”

The report found an astonishing 65% of Calgary’s working population (both full- and part-time) described themselves as “severely food insecure.”

Nationally, these numbers are rising as well. According to Food Banks Canada, 18.1% of working families required food assistance last year, up from 12.1% in 2019.

FEASTING FRIDAYS

How to store your spuds

It’s Feasting Fridays and today all eyes are on potatoes 🤣

These yummy tubers are a kitchen staple with limitless possibilities. They can also last considerably longer than you might think, as long as they’re properly stored.

While you might think refrigerating them is the best way to extend their shelf life, the fridge ain’t it.

“When potatoes are chilled or refrigerated at 40°F or less,” says Hearst Lifestyle Group Chief Food Director, Kate Merker, “their starches can convert to sugar which can alter both the flavour and texture.”

Ideally, potatoes should be stored in a cool and dark place in a mesh or wire basket. This maintains air circulation, prevents moisture buildup, oxidation, and early spoilage.

And while onions should be stored in similar environments, never store the two together. “Onions produce ethylene gas and can make the potatoes start to shrivel or grow sprouts,” says Merker.

Potatoes are still good to eat, even when a few spots show up. Those can be carved out, while salvaging the rest of the body.

TRAVEL

Digital detox travel trend grows

Retreating from the internet has become just as important as retreating from the city for many looking to inject wellness into their travel plans.

According to the 2025 Hilton Trends Report, 27% of travelling adults are actively looking to lower their use of social media while on their trip. The luxury home rental platform Plum Guides reported a 17% increase in searches for properties that rely less on tech or are completely unplugged.

“Detox” is a word often used to describe the process of recovering from an addiction or overuse of a substance. When it comes to digital reliance, the term couldn’t be more appropriate.

The advocacy group It’s Time to Log Off has produced research revealing 34% of people at any time have checked Facebook in the last 10 minutes, and a baffling 62% of adults “hate” how much they use social media. These are typical symptoms of an addiction—obsessive dependence, inability to stop, and regret.

Digital detox is experienced the same way other detoxes are: initially met with anxiety and discomfort, followed by an overwhelming serenity, calmness, feeling of presence, and clear-headedness.

Phones off!

NATURE

Bird populations declining

A recent study published in the journal Science analyzed 495 North American bird species, and found 83% are losing population in areas they should be most abundant.

The researchers analyzed data from 2007 to 2021, and found some species lost as much as 10% of their population in just a year during that period.

“We’re not just seeing small shifts happening, we’re documenting populations declining where they were once really abundant. Locations that once provided ideal habitat and climate for these species are no longer suitable. I think this is indicative of more major shifts happening for the nature that’s around us,” said Alison Johnston, the lead author and director of the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling at the University of St. Andrews, U.K., in a statement.

On the plus side, the researchers also found that 97% of the species analyzed saw their populations increase in certain regions at some point, suggesting the general decline may be reversible.

“Areas where species are increasing where they’re at low abundance may be places where conservation has been successful and populations are recovering, or they may point to locations where there may be potential for recovery,” said Johnston.

ENTERTAINMENT

Oilers series in the works

There are some—but not many—sports franchises that can truly say they became a dynasty at one point, and one of them is the Edmonton Oilers.

After the NHL and WHA merged in 1979, it was followed by a decade of complete dominance split between the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers. While the Isles won four straight Stanley Cups that decade, the Oilers strung together a total of five non-consecutively (though the fifth was in 1990).

Still, the four in the ‘80s wouldn’t have been possible without The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. The five-part docuseries in the works retells the story of one of hockey’s greatest teams and is fittingly titled The Great Ones.

The series is being produced by Ryan Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort, known for its success with Welcome to Wrexham. It will debut on Super Channel in 2027, at which point Connor McDavid and the Oilers may have already secured the Oil’s next Cup.

“This docuseries explores the Edmonton Oilers’ legacy, from their humble beginnings to their meteoric rise in the 1980s, redefining hockey,” said Super Channel president and CEO Don McDonald. “Fans will get an exclusive look at the passion, talent, and determination that propelled the Oilers to greatness, featuring exclusive interviews, rare footage, and in-depth analysis.”

STAKE TRIVIA

Big screen, big numbers

Critical acclaim and awards are one way to measure the success of a movie, but the numbers at the box office are a metric that never lies 😎 

We’re looking at May box office hits of the ’80s with today’s trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified Monday afternoon—keep an eye on your inbox!*

Have a great weekend Staker!

Today’s issue written by Michael Cowan, Joey Cowan, and Maureen Norman.


*SEE FULL STAKE TRIVIA CONTEST RULES HERE.