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Cost of Living·FULL EPISODE

What we can learn from soaring commodity prices and booming Black book sales

This week, we look at economic indicators like copper and lumber to find out what they can tell us about our economic recovery. Also, we find out what's behind U.S. trade investigations into Canadian blueberries, strawberries and bell peppers. Finally, Black book sales are booming. We look at the numbers and the movement driving consumer interest in Black literary representation.

PLUS: why the U.S. is investigating Canadian berry and bell pepper producers

CBC Radio ·
This week, we look at economic indicators like copper and lumber to find out what they can tell us about our economic recovery. Also, we find out what's behind U.S. trade investigations into Canadian blueberries, strawberries and bell peppers. Finally, Black book sales are booming. We look at the numbers and the movement driving consumer interest in Black literary representation. (Sean Liburd, David Donnelly/CBC, Robert Short/CBC, Evan Mitsui/CBC, Jean-Claude Taliana/CBC/Radio-Canada)
Cost of Living26:32What we can learn from soaring commodity prices and booming Black book sales — plus: why the U.S. is investigating Canadian berry and bell pepper producers
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"Doctor Copper," as it's known among investors, says our economy is going to come roaring back. At least that's the theory behind looking at the price of copper — currently at a decade-high — as a leading economic indicator.

Lumber prices are also through the roof.

Host Paul Haavardsrud asks, how good are these gauges anyway, when so much of our world has changed?
Cost of Living9:25Lumber and copper prices are soaring: what can they tell us about our economy recovery?
Doctor Copper says our economy is going to come roaring back, at least that's the theory behind looking at the price of copper — currently at a decade-high — as a leading economic indicator. Lumber prices, too, are through the roof. How good are these gauges anyway, when so much of our world has changed?

The U.S. International Trade Commission's blueberry investigation may be over, but Canadian fruits and vegetables are still under scrutiny as American producers test the new NAFTA rules and lobby for increased protections.

Strawberries and bell peppers are the latest targets. 

Producer Tracy Fuller finds out why Canadian growers getting pulled into the fray when so many more imports are coming into the States from Mexico and Central America.
Cost of Living5:02First blueberries, now strawberries: why the U.S. cares about Canadian berries
The blueberry war may be over for now, but Canadian fruits and vegetables are still under scrutiny as American producers test the new NAFTA rules and lobby for increased protections. With so many imports coming from Mexico and Central America, we find out why Canadian growers getting pulled into the fray.

Finally, sales of anti-racism books in Canada jumped by more than 900-per cent over the summer.

Some of that momentum has now spilled over to other genres of books written by Black authors, including fiction, fantasy, YA and children's literature.

Senior producer Falice Chin look at the explosion of consumer interest in Black literary representation.
Cost of Living9:40'We can hardly keep them stocked': Why books by Black authors are flying off the shelves
Interest in Black literature remains high during Black History Month, nine months after the killing of George Floyd. Sales of anti-racism, social justice books jumped by 955% from May to June, says BookNet Canada. Senior producer Falice Chin takes a closer look at the numbers.

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