U.S. investment firms continued their blockbuster shopping spree in Canada on Monday, as Bolton, Ont.-based plastic specialist Husky IMS International Ltd. was sold for $3.85-billion (U.S.). Story (Jacqueline Nelson, for subscribers)
Ottawa is pushing venture capitalists to help fix the gender gap in the Canadian startup scene, telling those who want to qualify for a $400-million funding program they must "demonstrate how their strategies would advance these objectives." Story (Sean Silcoff, for subscribers)
A Chinese investment firm is buying a Frank Giustra-backed lithium exploration company run by a 29-year-old rookie CEO. Story (Niall McGee, for subscribers)
DEAL WRAP
Medical marijuana company Aurora Cannabis Inc said on Monday its acquisition-target CanniMed Therapeutics Inc's plan to buy smaller rival Newstrike Resources Ltd was a "terrible deal" for CanniMed shareholders. Story (Christina Pellegrini)
Northern Dynasty Minerals said on Monday it had found a potential partner to help develop its Pebble mine in Alaska, breathing new life into the world's biggest undeveloped gold and copper project in the face of strong opposition from environmentalists. Story
Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust said on Monday it would sell its non-core property assets to privately held Slate Acquisitions Inc for $1.14-billion to reduce debt and focus on core assets. Story
Campbell Soup Co will buy Pretzels and Cape Cod chips maker Snyder's-Lance Inc for $4.87-billion (U.S.) as it looks to expand its snack business amid sagging soup sales. Story
Campbell Soup Co and Hershey Co on Monday unveiled deals totaling nearly $6-billion (U.S.) to buy healthy packaged snacks makers, the latest example of big U.S. food companies trying to cater to an increasing American preference for healthy foods. Story
Shares in French defense electronics maker Thales jumped more than 8 per cent on Monday after chipmaker Gemalto accepted its €4.8-billion ($7.29-billion U.S.) takeover bid to create a leader in digital security. Story
Rogers Communications Inc, which has said it will keep ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays, could look to leasing, licensing and other financial tools to generate value from the Major League Baseball club, sports deal makers told Reuters. Reuters
To expand its portfolio of U.S. apartment properties, Brookfield Property Partners LP is striking an alliance with a company that other landlords are trying to fight. Brookfield plans to invest as much as $200-million (U.S.) in a joint venture with Niido, the multifamily development partner of home-sharing website Airbnb Inc., according to statement Monday. Bloomberg
FINANCIAL SERVICES WRAP
Hedge fund professionals are expecting year-end bonuses to climb 39 per cent at the end of this year, according to a survey of 500 buy-side investors. That view may be too optimistic, said a partner at the firm that did the polling. Bloomberg
WHAT WE'RE READING
Almost 20 years ago while working as an analyst, I remember sitting across the table having breakfast with my mentor, Gerry Protti, complaining about my bonus for that year. He looked at me and told me to suck it up. Looking back at that moment, I smirk and quietly laugh at myself. I was so young and ambitious, but I needed to toughen up. Gerry's words were brilliant. Opinion
2015 previously held the mark for most venture capital invested globally in a single year. But now it's 2017, and massive VC financings are the new normal. PitchBook
This has been a gonzo year for stock markets. So even though IPOs had a rebound after a catastrophic 2016, on the whole, 2017 will be remembered as another weak year for tech companies entering the public markets. VentureBeat
Faced with falling prices for research, Rob McCreery decided his Libra Investment Services would start doing some of its own trading to show off the money-making power of its investment recommendations. Bloomberg