In August of last year, we blogged about the enormous impact that Toronto’s annual Caribana Festival had on the city’s financial situation. Even during the recession, the event that celebrates Caribbean culture, brought upwards of 1.2 million people to Lakeshore Boulevard for the parade and nearly $350 million dollars into the city’s economy.

Well, Caribana is back! And for many Torontonians, it marks the most joyous occasion of the summer. Officially launching yesterday, Caribana is now in its 43rd year. As Brendan Kennedy of The Toronto Star reported after the launch, it is an event that many members of Toronto’s Caribbean community refuse to miss.

Christina McCollin is one of them, writes Kennedy. She “hasn’t missed a Caribana since she moved to Toronto from Trinidad in 1972 (as) the annual festival is a chance to go home without ever leaving the city.” In addition to showcasing the wonderful food and music of the West Indian islands, Caribana is also a competition amongst bands.

These bands work tirelessly for months creating the most elaborate costumes for their revellers to wear during the Caribana parade, which is set for July 31st this year. One of the band leaders, in fact, is very well known by sports fans.

NBA centre, Jamaal Magloire is a Toronto native as well as the leader of a band known as Toronto Revellers. Yesterday, McCollin – who plays with Magloire’s band – took part in the opening cermonies for Caribana at the kick-off at Yonge-Dundas Square. “I love it – all of it. Everything from home is here,” she said.

Toronto’s hot weather, as of late, goes just perfectly with the Caribana Festival. According to many Caribbean revellers, it provides a little taste of home. Said Nigel Joseph, head of Separate Tables caterers: “With this type of weather, you can really pretend you’re on the islands. Caribana’s about beautiful women, delicious food, great music – it’s what Toronto needs right now.”

Margaret Best is the MPP of the Scarborough-Guildwood community. Originally from Jamaica, Best sees Caribana as ““a gift to the people of Canada on its centennial.” Said Best: “Like an orchid transplanted from its native tropical roots, Caribana has taken root here in Ontario and it has certainly flourished. And it all began 43 years ago with the sound of a steel drum on a Toronto street.”

One of Caribana’s most popular events is the King and Queen Show which takes place at Lamport Stadium just two days before the parade. At this event, the illustrious costumes created by each of the bands will be in competition with each other to crown the king and queen of Caribana. For more information on this year’s festival, check out www.caribanafestival.com.

When the BP oil rig disaster took place in late April, it was estimated that the resulting oil spill may become the worst in United States history. The assumption was soon proved to be correct. Just as the mainstream media has kept up on this topic, so has the Synergy Merchant Services Blog. Always concerned about the environment and the disastrous effects events such as these have on it, we report, once again on some of the ramifications of this tragedy.

In past blogs, we commented on the fact that wildlife, most notably birds such as the loon, have been devastated by the oil spill. Evidently, the ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico has taken quite a severe hit. On the financial side of things, QMI Agency’s Sharon Singleton reports today that tourism in Florida is also one of the oil spill’s biggest victims.

As a result, Singleton reveals that some of the biggest hotel chains in the world are now offering “beach guarantees” to lure visitors back to Florida, as well as the other Gulf States that are impacted by oil-filled waters. With tourism being Florida’s biggest industry, the economy is currently reeling from the fact that visitor numbers are down by 10 per cent.

So as millions of gallons of oil continues to be pumped into the sea, less and less money is being pumped into the local economy. Generally, tourism in Florida generates an annual revenue of $60 billion while employing one million people.

One of the major hotel chains offering the aforementioned guarantees is Marriott International. With 15 hotels in Florida, this chain is offering a full refund to customers prior to their arrival if beaches are officially closed because of oil. In addition, a 50 per cent room credit will be offered to those guests who choose to stay regardless of the poor beach conditions.

Including the Ritz-Carlton and the Renaissance chains, the Marriott brand hasn’t seen many cancellations thus far. They are, however, prepared to go the extra mile to satisfy their customers. Then again, most of their properties are on the west coast where beaches are not affected by the oil spill.

Nevertheless, with a decline in new bookings, the chain wants to ensure that customers are not being warded off by the current situation in the Gulf of Mexico. Marriott is not alone, however. Singleton also reports that Orbitz.com is also introducing an “open beach guarantee.”

This will offer visitors a refund on their standalone reservations if the government closes a beach within a 20-mile radius of their resorts. In addition, “Hilton Worldwide said visitors to their hotel chains in the region will also be offered the same guarantees. Guests can get a 100% refund on bookings if a beach is closed within a 20-minute drive, while early departure fees will also be waived.”

We, here at Synergy, often discuss the importance of working towards making more money. But what good is making money if it will inevitably be lost? Naturally, saving money is the key to building your finances. As one of our favourite business reporters, Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew writes in yesterday’s edition of The Toronto Star, most Canadians (94% to be exact) say that they feel better when they have money put away.

The odd thing is, however, that a significant number of Canadians (one fifth, actually) haven’t put any money aside as a future safety net. This information was revealed through a Scotiabank survey that was published yesterday, according to Acharya-Tom Yew. It is a curious thing to know that so many people aren’t saving their money even when they acknowledge that doing so is necessary.

As Acharya-Tom Yew writes, finance experts agree that everyone should set aside an emergency fund. They surmise that adequate savings eqate to approximately three month’s worth of household expenses. Especially in the wake of the recent recession, job stability has decreased, giving Canadians all the more reason to put more money away for a rainy day.

Scotiabank’s survey discovered that only a quarter of respondents have set aside the recommended amount. A third of those who were surveyed, in fact, indicated that they have more than three month’s worth of expenses put aside, while 23 per cent have less than one month of expenses readily available to them.

Acharya-Tom Yew also indicates that “sixty-eight per cent of Canadians say they have a plan in place to achieve their savings goals. But nearly one-quarter, 23 per cent, say they like to live day-to-day and do not worry about saving money.”

According to Chris Hodgson, Scotiabank’s head of Canadian banking: “We’re really become a consumer society and we are encouraged to spend. Having the discipline to put aside part of your income for the future or saving for discretionary needs are not things we are necessarily guided to do. There’s an opportunity to raise a level of awareness on how Canadians can build more of a nest egg. To us, this is an issue for Canada.”

Broadcaster Valerie Pringle has been recruited by Scotiabank to travel across the country to speak to Canadians about the challenges of putting money aside. Says Pringle: “It’s like we’ve been living in a fool’s paradise of cheap money and buy, buy, buy, and our grandparents concept of saving to buy a refrigerator sounds like something from the dark ages.”

The Scotiabank survey was conducted online in late March. It also discovered that 72 per cent of Canadians believe that saving an extra $1,500 would improve their financial status. 83 per cent feel like they will change their spending habits to save more money. Finally, 20 per cent would make large changes while 63 per cent would make small ones.

Since our inception, Synergy Merchant Services has very proudly supported Canadian businesses by providing them with an alternative source of extra working capital. Especially in the wake of last year’s global recession, we are especially happy that we are able to supply entrepreneurs with money to help them grow their businesses when banks do not.

In the post-recession era, Canadian small businesses have lead the way in helping the nation become one of the best in the world in economic recovery. As these businesses continue to grow, Synergy continues to support them with our innovative merchant cash advance program. Of course, savvy business owners play huge roles in the successess of their businesses.

Today, Bryn Weese of the Parliamentary Bureau reports that Canadian businesses are maintaining their growth with the news that sales are projected to increase in the coming year. According to the Bank of Canada’s summer Business Outlook Survey, business owners are indicating that sales have spiked over the past year.

This marks the first increase in sales since the recession took over in 2008. Clearly good news for entrepreneurs from all over the country, this information is a welcome sign of relief to an economy that suffered significant job losses over the past couple of years. Hopefully, the jump in sales will continue to push the employment rate up.

As Weese reveals, the survey was released Monday and was conducted between May and June. It questioned managers at 100 firms across Canada about both sales and employment figures. They are each expected to increase although the growth may potentially be “slightly slower than previously projected because of global ‘uncertainties’.”

Said the report: “The results of the summer survey indicate that the economic recovery is progressing. For the first time in two years, firms, on balance, reported an improvement in their past sales activity.”

Added Louis Gagnon, an associate professor of finance at Queen’s University: “There’s been a sense over the past few months that things were picking up. But, is this seeming recovery going to persist? Does it have any legs to stand on? It (the survey) is certainly an indication that the Canadian economy is on a much more positive path.”

Of course, there is no guarantee that the economy will be as strong as it was in years past in the very near future. However, the news that things are improving is quite promising. As Gagnon reminds us, Canadian businesses are “on the front line when it comes to the economy, and are a ‘leading indicator’ of its recovery.”

There’s nothing like ending the work week off with a little good news, eh? As the Synergy Merchant Services Blog continues to keep a close eye on the financial landscape of our great nation, we are happy to report today that job opportunities are becoming more plentiful.

As one of our favourite writers from QMI Agency, Sharon Singleton reports today on The Toronto Sun’s website, over 93,000 new jobs were created in the month of June sending Canada’s unemployment rate down to 7.9 per cent. Last month’s job growth was actually five times greater than what economists had expected.

As Singleton points out that this provides proof that Canada’s economy continues to get stronger in the post-recession era as the jobless rate is now below 8 per cent – a feat not accomplished since January 2009. Economists, expected for there to only be 18,000 new jobs in June. Good thing they were wrong!

The most significant thing about the spike in job opportunities last month is the fact that Canada has now recovered almost all of the jobs that were lost during the global financial crisis. In the United States, the unemployment rate continues to be stagnant.

In fact, Canada is easily outdoing its counterpart to the south by leaps and bounds in the job creation field. Singleton writes that according to TD Bank Financial and “adjusting for population, Canada has created four million jobs since July 2009 compared with 176,000 in the U.S.”

Said BMO Capital Markets economist, Benjamin Reitzes: “There’s no arguing with this strong report. The jobs picture clearly shows that the Canadian recovery hasn’t stalled yet, despite signs of slowing momentum in the U.S. and other economies.”

“The provinces of Ontario and Quebec accounted for nearly all the gains,” adds Singleton as the two provinces created 90,000 new jobs in June. Ironically, the controversial G8 and G20 Summits may have been responsible for the addition of so many new job positions in the region.

Singleton notes that the new jobs were split between full-time and part-time workers. The biggest increases were found in the retail, business, health care, service and automotive repair sectors, according to Statistics Canada. The only provinces to experience job declines were Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick.

As we mentioned in yesterday’s blog, Toronto has been experiencing quite the scorcher recently. With today marking the fifth straight day that the city has been under a heatwave, the effects that it has had on the economy have become more noticeable.

As QMI Agency’s Sharon Singleton reports today, the extreme heat has significantly increased the demand for such items as fans, sunscreen, water, sports drinks, coolers, picnic-ware, sporting goods and of course, summer clothing. The weather, naturally, presents the perfect opportunity for retailers to cash in on their ‘cooling down products’.

Toronto isn’t the only city experiencing such warm weather in Southern Ontario, obviously. Temperatures in the high 30s on the Celcius thermometre were recorded in Ottawa and in some parts of Quebec, reports Singleton. Many states south of the border are feeling the heat as well.

All of these areas are realizing that beating the heat does come with a price. In addition to the variety of items that become more like necessities during the hot days of summer, natural gas prices also become more costly. With households cranking up the air conditioning and fans, electricity bills are sure to spike as well.

Singleton reports, however that Ontario is prepared for the increased demand for hydro. Apparently, the province is yet to hit record numbers thus far. Explains Singleton: “On Wednesday, demand topped 25,000 megawatts, compared with record demand of 27,005 megawatts on August 1, 2006. In more normal summer temperatures, demand runs at about 20,000.”

Added IESO communications advisor, Martina Holmsen: “This week we’ve had adequate supply to meet demand. In the past few years Ontario has been bringing more supply online and we are in a positive supply situation.”

So it doesn’t look as if we’ve hit the hottest temperatures of all time just yet, but the way things are looking, records may be broken in the coming days. We would like to remind everyone to do their best to beat the heat by keeping hydrated and not staying in the sun for too lengthy a time period this week.

In addition, we would also like to congratulate all of the small business owners how are prospering from the summer heat. We are sure there is nothing better for them than to have their sales heat up along with the weather.

Back in April, when the BP oil rip mishap caused the worst oil spill in American history, many became outraged at the irreparable harm that was being done to the environment. And even though we began blogging on this issue in early May, some Canadians still consider the issue a foreign concern.

Well, today Lesley Ciarula Taylor of The Toronto Star reports on just one of the many ways in which the horrific oil spill is affecting Canadians. Most specifically, a certain type of Canadian is experiencing some lasting negative effects at the hands of the thousands of barrels of oil being pumped into the Gulf of Mexico each day.

That Canadian would be the loon. The loon, which perhaps, is best known for adorning the face of the Canadian one dollar coin – thus, giving it the nickname “loonie” – is among the “up to 60 species of Canadian migratory birds that are in danger of being trapped in the toxic net of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.”

Taylor reports that bird experts notice that dozens of Canadian bird species migrate to the south beginning in July. Sadly, this year that very migration has lead to the soiling (to put it mildly) of many of these birds, who all risk death, as a result.

In an interview with The Star, Ted Cheskey of Nature Canada said that “The Gulf is at the crossroads of the Americas for migrating birds. Several species are going to take huge hits. The reality is that birds seem not to be able to avoid it really well.”

In addition to loons, Taylor notes that “pelicans, ducks, geese, cormorants, gannets, herons and grebes are among the many species that could get sucked into the spill vortex during their migrations.” According to Greg Butcher, the director of bird conservation for the U.S. National Audubon Society, upwards of one billion birds may be affected by this tragic oil spill.

Canadians may be wondering what action, if any, may be taken by the United States to help wildlife who migrate from the north. Interestingly, Taylor reveals that there is a migratory bird treaty that exists between the North American nations. Therefore, the U.S. is responsible for helping the loons, and other birds that are affected by the oil spill.

Carrol Henderson, the non-game wildlife program supervisor of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reveals this, in addition to noting that the loon also happens to be the state bird of Minnesota. Helping these birds, are necessary, she mentions as birds see oil and water in the same way and are generally unable to tell the difference between the two.

Naturally, there are many who will fall victim to the polluted waters off the shores of Louisiana this summer.

As our blog reported on June 29th, extensive damage was caused by protesters and rioters to storefronts in the downtown Toronto area during the G20 Summit. Many of these small business owners are seeking compensation from the government to cover the numerous repairs that are necessary to get the businesses back up and running as normal.

Today, The Toronto Star’s business reporter, Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew reports that receiving compensation will not be an easy task. Although commercial businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals do have 90 days to apply for the compensation, accountants reveals that the claims will require extensive and detailed information.

Acharya-Tom Yew notes that “claims must include information on revenues and costs from the preceding three years, or the inception of the business.” Assembling all of this information, of course, is bound to take quite a bit of time for most business owners. For many, an accounting nightmare is ahead.

Said forensic accountant, Ari Kashton of Soberman LLP: “Ninety days sounds like a long time but it’s really a very short time frame. To assemble all this information takes time. Companies have to find the extra time and resources to file a properly supported claim when many are already stretched for resources.”

Acharya-Tom Yew goes on to reveal that supporting documentation will be required by those making claims in order to back up their estimates for damage. This may include everything from daily sales reports, tax filing and even bank or credit card statements.

Not only will documentation be required but written explanations will have to be submitted outlining such things as how much money the business could have earned had the G20 Summit not encouraged the destructive rioting. Other details include the steps that businesses may have taken to minimize damage during the summit, if any.

Explains Acharya-Tom Yew: “As well, they have to show that any lost sales were not subsequently recovered. For instance, a retailer that saw a slowdown in business prior to the summit could see a sharp spike in sales in July if customers simply delayed their purchases. That pattern would have to be taken into account when applying for compensation.”

Evidently, the damage done to storefronts in downtown Toronto is set to have long-lasting effects on the store owners. Recouping their losses will require a great deal of effort and time, not to mention hassle and inconvenience.

As we announced in yesterday’s blog, Harmonized Sales Tax has officially come into effect in both British Columbia and Ontario. Although many Ontarians have been vocal in their opposition of the new 13% tax which combines GST and PST, B.C. residents have been especially outspoken against the new tax.

Lobbying against the HST for months leading up to its inception, many groups are worried about the significant increase to the cost of living that will be thrust upon families. Even for some business owners, trying to calculate the new tax into the cost of their products has already become a nuisance.

As Kim Westad and David Karp report on The Vancouver Sun’s website, having HST take off on Canada Day was an annoying circumstance for a number of entrepreneurs in British Columbia. Hot dog stand owner, Fred Picard is one of them. Insisting that Canada Day is his busiest day of the year, Picard couldn’t be bothered to reconfigure his prices to include HST so he was forced to “eat” the tax for the day.

Before he even opened his stand yesterday, he had a line up of customers waiting. He wasn’t in the spirit of keeping them waiting any longer. His slogan for the day: “Today, you eat our dogs and we’ll eat the extra tax.”

Restaurant meals, remind Westad and Karp, are among the most popular expenditures that will be subject to the new HST. Previously, people were not taxed both the five per cent GST and the seven per cent PST in B.C. to dine out.

The writers also cite The Noodle Box general manager Sarah Wagstaff who said that she was forced to spend nearly a month preparing the chain’s two locations for the change to HST. The majority of her work involved manually changing prices on menu boards to incorporate the new tax.

In addition, the restaurant’s tills had to be reprogrammed. Needless to say, it was a cumbersome experience that Wagstaff is happy to now have over.

So far, however, tourism in B.C. has not been affected by the new Harmonized Sales Tax, as most visitors are not even aware of the change. Said Maryland native, Sabra Kurth: “It wouldn’t have made a difference to us — we wanted to see B.C.”

B.C. residents, however, are already feeling the pinch in their wallets. The ever-popular Tim Hortons coffee and donut chain has had its prices impacted by HST – something that many will notice in a quick period of time. Just ask Curtis Gregory who bought a large coffee yesterday morning for $1.70. That price would usually get him an extra large.

Said Gregory about the new HST: “They say it’s going to create more jobs and business, but it’s not going to because people aren’t going to be spending as much money out.”

Happy Canada Day everyone! Or is it? Today, in Ontario and British Columbia, the dreaded Harmonized Sales Tax officially took effect. As of midnight last night, HST became law in both provinces. As Antonella Artuso reports on The Toronto Sun’s website, HST will now combine the former Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST), meaning that services and utilities that were previously exempt from provincial sales tax will be up 8 per cent starting today.

What a way to celebrate the nation’s birthday, eh? Of course, many people are worried about having the cost of living increase significantly. In an attempt to avert Ontarians from worry, the provincial government sent out mini-booklets in the mail last week to serve as information packages about the new HST.

In the booklet, it reminds citizens that they already pay 13 per cent tax on most items as GST was 5 per cent and PST was 8 per cent previously. On things that required no PST or GST – groceries, prescription drugs and public transit, as examples – there will still be no sales tax.

As well, products like books and children’s clothing will still only be taxed 5 per cent under HST. However, legal fees, gas and home heating will all be subject to an 8 per cent tax increase under the new Harmonized Sales Tax implementation.

Artuso reports that to assist citizens with this change, “the government has cut personal income taxes, mailed HST rebate cheques and ushered in a seniors property tax cut beginning Canada Day.”

Revenue Minister John Wilkinson attempts to explain the benefits of HST to Ontarians: “It will take some time for the tax cuts to work their way through the system…We have to stop in this province having two governments tripping over themselves trying to tax every transaction twice when once will do.”

Wilkinson also believes that HST will help repair the damage done to Ontario by the loss of a quarter million jobs in 2009. A more “efficient and competitive business environment” is expected to be an inevitable result of introducing HST in the province.

Artuso also mentions that “British Columbia is harmonizing its sales taxes on the same day, and the furious response from its citizens far outstrips any reaction in Ontario.” B.C. residents have significantly been more vocal about the changes to their taxes that start today. Apparently, they are not convinced that HST will create improvements of any kind. Instead, it will cost the average family a lot more money to live. Happy Canada Day indeed.

On the eve of Canada Day, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all visitors to our great country. And hey, if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting the Great White North (it’s really not all that white, to be honest with you!), now would be the best time.

In addition to the numerous Canada Day celebrations that will be taking place all over the country tomorrow, the summer months offer up the best weather and most exciting experiences. And believe it or not, Canadians really know how to party! Please don’t let the events surrounding this past weekend’s G20 Summit in Toronto deter you.

Now if you were to travel to Canada this summer, you would be joining a long list of others who have made our nation their travel destination of choice this year. As The Canadian Press reported earlier today on The Toronto Star’s website, “tourism spending in Canada increased 1.3 per cent in the first quarter, as both international visitors to Canada and Canadians spent more.”

Statistics Canada reports that this marks the “third straight increase in tourism spending after four consecutive quarters of declines.” Spending by international visitors also increased by 5.9 per cent, creating the largest quarterly increase in visitor spending since the end of 2003.

Naturally, the Vancouver Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games held earlier this year contributed to the increase. People from all over the world flocked to the west coast of Canada to cheer on their country’s athletes in what became one of the most thrilling Olympic events ever.

Canada, of course, must have left a great impression on the many visitors by racking up a record number of medals. Not to mention, the hospitality that Canadians are known for always makes a great impact on those visiting the country.

It’s no wonder then, that “spending by international visitors on accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, and non-tourism commodities, such as groceries and clothing, all increased during the first quarter.”

So on the day before Canadians celebrate the birth of their nation, we would like to congratulate…well, ourselves! Good job Canada. You continue to lead the world in recession recovery AND showing the world your nation is a great place to visit.

The past weekend, and practically all of last week, the G20 Summit made headline news. The Synergy Merchant Services Blog also covered the events and sadly, pointed out that the news was not all very positive. Of course, as we all know, protests swelled into riot-like behaviour causing extensive damage to a number of businesses in the downtown core.

Today, CTV reports that “Toronto business owners are looking for compensation for smashed windows and damaged storefronts resulting from the weekend’s G20 protests, but so far the federal government has given no indication whether it plans to pay up.”

Ironically, many of the protesters were rallying against the G20 Summit due to the enormous cost it had for the City of Toronto to host it. Now, many of the protesters who involved themselves in acts of criminality will essentially be costing the nation even more money to repair the abundance of damage.

CTV’s website points out that the federal government did think about offering compensation for business owners who were operating within security zones before the Summit began. Evidently, many of these businesses had to shut down over the weekend while the G20 Summit was taking place.

However, business owners operating outside of the security zone who still became victims of vandalism and senseless destruction are unsure about whether or not they will be compensated.

According to Joe MacDonald of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, owners will be contacting their insurance companies to discover the type of coverage they have against the damage done to their storefronts. However, recourse from any level of government is very much on the minds of many who operate businesses in the downtown core.

Said MacDonald: “There is a clause that seems to work in our favour, but we have to pursue that with the federal government and with the City of Toronto.”

City councilor Adam Vaughan represents a downtown Toronto ward that was hit hard by rioting. He remarked that most of the businesses in his district are small, family-run companies.

Implored Vaughan: “They are simply asking Ottawa to provide compensation and pick up the tab for what clearly is exceptional damage to businesses and much of it is not covered by insurance — you can’t get much coverage for broken windows and vandalism in Toronto…Surely Ottawa and Stephen Harper has an obligation to render the city whole again.”

Well, we were warned. But even with all of the information provided by the news media last week about the threat of impending violence at the hands of G20 protesters, it was still horrifying to witness the unabashed events of this past weekend.

Last week, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog discussed the G20 Summit being held in Toronto, Ontario by touching upon some of the financial implications that it would have on local business. In addition, we discussed the numerous rallies and protests that were in the works. Everything from equal rights to poverty were issues that were being raised by protesters.

But, as was alluded to earlier, the protests were marred by merciless vandalism and destruction by who most people would refer to as “thugs”. Television sets across the nation were emitting live feeds from the streets of Toronto depicting police cruisers being torched and storefronts being vandalized. Known as the “Black Bloc”, this group of people took to the streets with one thing on their minds: destruction.

To be clear, Wikipedia.org describes “black bloc” as a tactic, not an organized group. So the individuals dressed in black garments causing most of the damage this past weekend were not necessarily part of some vigilante organization. Instead, they were viewed as hoodlums who were hurting the overall objective of the peaceful protesters who took to the streets to raise awareness for their causes during the G20 Summit.

As Don Peat of The Toronto Sun reported earlier today, a shocking 900 arrests were made in Toronto over the past weekend. He describes: “Most of those arrests occurred after a peaceful protest turned into a violent rampage through the city by a group of protesters using so-called Black Bloc techniques. Before Saturday’s riot that left four police cruisers burning in the city’s streets, police had only arrested 32 individuals for G20 security-related incidents.”

By today, the various world leaders attending the Summit had already left the city. But left behind was the damage done to numerous shops on Toronto’s major streets. Stores and banks on both Queen Street and Yonge Street were among those that suffered the most significant damage.

The Integrated Security Unit reports that while a number of individuals who were arrested over the weekend will be released, many others will be attending court. As of today, the security perimeters that were set up are now essentially being lifted so that citizens are no longer required to show identification to move through it.

The G20 Summit is over. But the scars left on the City of Toronto have been left behind. News reports have indicated that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has viewed the Summit as a success. However, many business owners and citizens alike in the downtown area likely disagree.

The G20 Summit is officially underway in Toronto. As has been reported widely throughout the week, the meeting of twenty world leaders in the largest city in Canada has brought with it great controversy leading to mass protests and rallies.

In support of many seemingly forgotten issues and in opposition to the monstrous cost of hosting the summit, citizens have gathered in abundance in an effort to make a point. Predicting conflict, police donning riot gear have been stationed all over the downtown core.

Today, Jenny Yuen of The Toronto Sun reports that protesters have been clashing with police and some arrests have been made. There has been pushing and shoving in addition to the throwing of random objects, but thankfully no major violence to speak of.

Some G20 protesters were marching along Carlton Street in downtown Toronto today. Organized by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, its organizer John Clarke warns that the protests that are approaching in the upcoming days “will not be friendly”.

Announced Clarke: “Down with the filthy G-20 and everything it represents. Your system is bankrupt, your system is vile and we’re going to fight it.” Yuen reports that, so far, police have made 18 arrests. Clarke’s words caution, however, that there may be more.

According to Ontario Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci, the police have responded very well to the security of the international event. Earlier today, he spoke about their ability to keep both the citizens of Toronto and the participants of the summit safe.

Said Bartolucci: “My understanding is that there has only been 18 arrests and only two of those 18 arrested are being detained. When you consider what has happened in the past in other jurisdictions, I think there’s something to be said for the level, the competency and the expertise of the policing in the province of Ontario.”

It is advisable, however, that if you are in the Toronto area, you may want to avoid visiting downtown this weekend. There are many barricades up that citizens are being requested not to come five metres within. Needless to day, police are taking the security of the G20 Summit very seriously.

In addition, with more protests to come, it is evident that many people plan on doing everything they can to express their displeasure with the event being hosted in Toronto.

Talking about small businesses in Canada is what the Synergy Merchant Services Blog does best. And how couldn’t it? Providing small businesses in Canada with the easiest way to get extra working capital is what Synergy Merchant Services does best. So it’s not surprising for this blog to discuss different ways in which entrepreneurs in Canada can grow their own small businesses.

This week, however, the City of Toronto – which happens to inhabit Synergy’s headquarters – has been taken over by the anticipation of this coming weekend’s G20 Summit. And while we have touched upon the disruptions in the city as a result of protests and rallies, today we recognize those who have taken the G20 situation as an excellent business opportunity.

In yesterday’s edition of The Toronto Star, Emily Mathieu revealed that “gas masks, flexible plastic sheeting, T-shirts and bullet-proof glass” are all the rage now that the G20 has hit T.O. Apparently, these items will be and are in high demand due to the controversies surrounding the hosting of the summit this weekend.

Mathieu discusses Stadia Industries Ltd., a window and door installation and repair business, which is preparing its workers for action “the moment a brick or rock is thrown through a window.” Apparently, the potential of a riot can translate into big business. However sad this may be, Stadia owner Tim Byrne is confident that this is true.

Said Byrne: “All the guys, all the trucks are being parked at every single building…They are going to sit there until the first rock hits the glass.” He will have employees set up in temporary workshops all over the downtown core this week with several more on call. In the event of a violent protest, they will be ready.

Mathieu writes that “there will also be trucks on standby, ready to drive around the city to seal off broken windows with plywood and boards.” She also notes that Byrne has invested about $65,000 into buying supplies, expanding his staff and arranging for transportation during the G20 Summit.

Evidently, from potential tragedy can come financial triumph. As Byrne explains: “As a Canadian I don’t want anything to happen. But I am also a businessman and I need to take advantage of the situation as business arises.”

Menswear store, GreenShag Bespoke Clothier on Queen Street West feels the exact same way. They currently have a limited edition collection of G20 t-shirts that feature the CN tower fashioned in a way to resemble two fingers flashing the peace sign. They have another with the same tower transformed into just one finger. We’ll allow you to guess which one.