Early-Stage Canadian Energy Firms Get a Leg Up from Private Equity + MORE Mar 5th

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s government rejected a request from Qantas Airways for a $2.7 billion unsecured loan to help the national carrier return to profitability, deciding instead to abolish foreign ownership restrictions, the prime minister said Wednesday.
In the wake of Monday’s decision to allow greater foreign ownership of Qantas, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his ministers had acted on expert advice from accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to decide that Qantas did not need the line of credit.
“We sent in various experts to have a look at Qantas, and the conclusion that we came to based on their advice was that Qantas does not need an unsecured facility from the government,” Abbott told Macquarie Radio on Wednesday.
The airline last week posted a first-half loss of 235 million Australian dollars ($211 million) amid tougher competition. Qantas said it would cut 5,000 jobs in a bid to slash costs by AU$2 billion over three years.
Qantas’ credit rating was downgraded from investment grade to junk in December when it warned of a looming interim loss of up to AU$300 million and job cuts…

Since the credit crisis, Canada’s earlier-stage energy companies have struggled to raise money for their projects, but private equity is stepping in to help fill the void.

New routes, free miles and Amex Gift Cards for YVR stays round out today’s update: News, Tips & TricksCanadian North will be launching summer seasonal service between Iqaluit and St. Johns/Halifax. The flights will run from Jun 20th to Sep 5. Canadian North is an Aeroplan partner so you can earn or redeem miles for these flights. (Source: Airlineroute.net)Schedule:5T401 YFB1715 – 2130YHZ2215 – 0025+1YYT 733 55T400 YYT1200 – 1315YHZ1400 – 1615YFB 733 5There is a free miles offer from South African Airways, caveat is that you are supposed to be 8 years old to get it! See our bonus offer section below for detailsAirmilesshops.ca is running a short term bonus of 5x Air Miles Rewards miles on qualifying purchases of $20 or more before taxes made via the online shopping portal. The offer runs until March 11. More…Travel DealsNot too long ago we let you know about an American Express Gift Card offer for staying at select hotels in Vancouver. We are happy to let you know that they have a new offer now running that once again awards American Express Gift Cards for stays in YVR…

BEIJING, China – China’s government promised sweeping reforms Wednesday to promote sustainable growth in its slowing economy by opening state-dominated industries to private investment, making its banks more market-oriented and encouraging consumer spending.
In his first annual policy speech as China’s top economic official, Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing will encourage competition, ease exchange rate controls and improve access to credit for productive businesses.
Li’s pledges were in line with Communist Party plans issued in November that call for promoting market forces and domestic consumption to replace a model based on exports and investment that delivered three decades of explosive growth but has run out of steam.
“We need to make sure the market plays a decisive role,” said Li in a nationally televised speech to China’s ceremonial legislature. He promised to “break mental shackles and vested interests” — a reference to possible resistance from state companies that might lose subsidies and monopolies…

Some of you have been lucky enough to still hold this card since it was cut from the public portfolio back in 2008 and we are pleased to pass along the news that the American Express® Gold Credit Card with Cash Back has returned for public applications! The card is a good option for those people who don’t want a travel rewards card or need to supplement their credit card portfolio with a cash back card.For those of you who do have the card you’ll recall the card was revamped in 2011 with the addition of $99 annual fee and a $100,000 cap on the 2% earn rate both of which still remain on the card.The complete earn rate on spending is tiered as follows:0.5% on annual spend up to $2,5001.0% on annual spend between $2,501 and $5,0002.0% on annual spend between $5,001 and $100,0001.0% on annual spend above $100,000No cap on cashback that can be earnedBased on these tiers once you get to about $33,000 in spend this card jumps ahead of the pack in the cash back category in terms of cash return (albeit for some cards like the Scotia Momentum it will depend on your category bonus spending)The cash back is awarded annually as a statement credit on your account…